1941 Packard 1901 Series Tires

The 1941 Packard 1901 Series came from a moment when Packard still represented formal American luxury, with smooth straight-eight power and a strong emphasis on quiet, composed road manners. Buyers restoring or maintaining one today usually care as much about visual presence as they do about mechanical correctness. This model uses a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, so the real fitment question is less about size variation and more about choosing the right style within that traditional format. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall treatments across several classic tire series. That makes it important to balance appearance, intended driving use, and wheel compatibility before putting the car back on the road.

Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1941 Packard 1901 Series

The 1941 Packard 1901 Series uses one primary tire size: 700-16. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the covered 8 Cyl. sub-model uses that same size. For most owners, the decision is not which size fits, but which 700-16 tire best suits the car's appearance, driving plans, and restoration goals.

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700-16Numeric bias-ply
Fit(s): 8 Cyl.
Construction: Bias PlyRim: 16 in

A 700-16 numeric bias-ply size uses the first number to indicate a nominal section width of about 7.00 inches, while the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1941 Packard 1901 Series, this is the traditional bias-ply construction that matches the period character of the car and its original-era wheel format. Within this size, choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions from brands such as Lester, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, Tornel, and STA, along with several classic and military-style series. The right pick depends on whether the goal is a more formal restoration-oriented look, a plain blackwall presentation, or a specialty-use tire style.

Explore 700-16 Tires

1941 Packard 1901 Series Sub-Model Tires

Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1941 Packard 1901 Series sub-models. The key point is still verifying the actual wheel setup on the car, especially if it has been changed during an older restoration or long-term ownership.

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1941 Packard 1901 Series 8 Cyl.

The 1941 Packard 1901 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the core fitment for this model line. That keeps selection focused on sidewall style, tire series, and the type of presentation you want the car to have once it is back on the road.

Associated Tire Sizes

Important Fitment Notes

The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:

  • Wheel modifications (wider rims, offset changes, aftermarket wheels)
  • Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
  • Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)

If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.

Best 1941 Packard 1901 Series Tires for Sale

Available 700-16 choices span Lester, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, Tornel, and STA, with blackwall and wide whitewall styles across classic bias-ply, truck, and military-style series. Rim-width specifications also vary among products, so comparison matters even within the same tire size.

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Bias Ply

Lester Wide Whitewall | 700-16

Lester - Lester Classic Bias Ply

SIDEWALLWide Whitewall
RIM DIAMETER16 in
RIM WIDTH—
WEIGHT28 lb
MAX LOAD—
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Bias Ply

Avon Traction Mileage | 700-16C 102/100L

Avon - Traction Mileage

SIDEWALLBlackwall
RIM DIAMETER16 in
RIM WIDTH—
WEIGHT34 lb
MAX LOAD1,874 lbs
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Bias Ply

BFGoodrich | 700-16

BFGoodrich - Silvertown Classic Bias Ply

SIDEWALLBlackwall
RIM DIAMETER16 in
RIM WIDTH4.50 - 5.50 in
WEIGHT26 lb
MAX LOAD1900@36 psi
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Bias Ply

Firestone 4.00 Inch Whitewall | 700-16

Firestone - Firestone Classic Bias Ply

SIDEWALLWide Whitewall
RIM DIAMETER16 in
RIM WIDTH4.50 - 5.50 in
WEIGHT29 lb
MAX LOAD1800@36 psi
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Bias Ply

BFGoodrich 4.00 Inch Whitewall | 700-16

BFGoodrich - Silvertown Classic Bias Ply

SIDEWALLWide Whitewall
RIM DIAMETER16 in
RIM WIDTH4.50 - 5.50 in
WEIGHT28 lb
MAX LOAD1900@36 psi
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Bias Ply

Firestone | 700-16

Firestone - Firestone Classic Bias Ply

SIDEWALLBlackwall
RIM DIAMETER16 in
RIM WIDTH4.50 - 5.50 in
WEIGHT26 lb
MAX LOAD1900@36 psi
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Military & Truck

Firestone Military | NDT | 700-16

Firestone - Firestone Classic Military

SIDEWALLBlackwall
RIM DIAMETER16 in
RIM WIDTH4.50 - 5.50 in
WEIGHT30 lb
MAX LOAD1800@45 psi
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Military & Truck

Tornel Light Truck | 6 Ply | 700-16

Tornel - Tornel Classic Truck

SIDEWALLBlackwall
RIM DIAMETER16 in
RIM WIDTH4.50 - 5.50 in
WEIGHT34 lb
MAX LOAD1580@45 psi
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Military & Truck

Firestone Military | NDCC | 700-16

Firestone - Firestone Classic Military

SIDEWALLBlackwall
RIM DIAMETER16 in
RIM WIDTH4.50 - 5.50 in
WEIGHT27 lb
MAX LOAD1800@45 psi
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Military & Truck

Military | NDT | 700-16

STA - Military NDT

SIDEWALLBlackwall
RIM DIAMETER16 in
RIM WIDTH—
WEIGHT34 lb
MAX LOAD—
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Frequently Asked Questions

Owners of a 1941 Packard 1901 Series usually want clear answers on 700-16 fitment, 16-inch rim use, sidewall and brand choices, and what to inspect before returning a collector car to regular road use.

Tire Size & Fitment

What tire size fits a 1941 Packard 1901 Series?

The 1941 Packard 1901 Series uses a 700-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply size, and it is the primary fitment for the covered vehicle configuration. The 1941 Packard 1901 Series 8 Cyl. uses that same 700-16 size as well.

That means the main decision is not choosing among several primary sizes, but selecting the right 700-16 tire for the car's intended look and use. Blackwall and wide whitewall options are both available, so the next step is confirming wheel condition, rim width where relevant, and whether the car has retained its original-style wheel setup.

What size rim does a 1941 Packard 1901 Series use?

The 1941 Packard 1901 Series uses a 16-inch rim with its 700-16 tire fitment. The tire size itself confirms the wheel diameter, and the available 700-16 products are built for that same 16-inch rim diameter.

Wheel diameter should always be confirmed on the car before ordering tires, especially on a pre-war Packard that may have gone through earlier restoration work. A 16-inch rim diameter alone does not answer every fitment question, so it is also smart to check wheel width, condition of the bead seat area, and overall clearance once mounted.

Does the 1941 Packard 1901 Series 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?

Yes. The covered 1941 Packard 1901 Series 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the core 1941 Packard 1901 Series fitment. There is no separate primary tire size within the sub-models covered here.

That simplifies replacement because the focus stays on choosing the appropriate tire style rather than sorting out sub-model size differences. An owner can compare blackwall versus wide whitewall options, along with classic passenger-car or specialty-style tires, while still verifying that the wheels on the car have not been changed from the expected 16-inch setup.

Choosing the Right Tire

What should I consider when choosing a 700-16 tire for a 1941 Packard 1901 Series?

Start with the correct 700-16 size and the fact that the 1941 Packard 1901 Series uses a bias-ply fitment. From there, the meaningful choices are sidewall style, tire series, brand, and whether the tire is aimed at traditional passenger-car presentation or a more specialized truck or military-style application.

A formal Packard restoration often points buyers toward a wide whitewall or traditional blackwall, while a more utility-focused setup may lead them elsewhere. It also helps to compare rim-width specifications where they are stated, plus any load information that appears on individual products, so the selected tire matches the wheel and the car's intended use.

What sidewall styles are available for 1941 Packard 1901 Series tires?

The available 700-16 tires for the 1941 Packard 1901 Series include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Those two presentations create very different visual results on a pre-war Packard, even though the underlying tire size remains the same.

Wide whitewalls tend to emphasize the car's luxury-era character, while blackwalls create a more restrained and functional appearance. Choosing between them depends on how the car is being presented and driven, and it is worth comparing the sidewall treatment alongside the tire series and brand so the finished look suits the vehicle as a whole.

What brands offer tires for the 1941 Packard 1901 Series?

Brands available in 700-16 for the 1941 Packard 1901 Series include Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Those options cover classic bias-ply passenger-car styles as well as truck and military-style tires in the same general size family.

Brand choice should be considered along with tire series, sidewall treatment, and the overall character you want for the car. A buyer looking for a restoration-oriented appearance may focus on classic blackwall or wide whitewall offerings, while a specialty-use vehicle may lead toward one of the military or truck-style designs instead.

Restoration & Appearance

Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1941 Packard 1901 Series?

A period-style 1941 Packard 1901 Series should begin with the correct 700-16 bias-ply size. From there, the best match depends on how formal or understated the restoration is meant to look, with both blackwall and wide whitewall choices available in classic bias-ply series.

Because sidewall treatment strongly affects the car's presence, many owners choose based on the visual character they want at the curb as much as on the road. When exact originality matters, it is smart to compare the tire choice against period photos, marque-club guidance, and restoration records tied to the specific car.

How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1941 Packard 1901 Series?

The 1941 Packard 1901 Series uses a bias-ply tire fitment, and that construction contributes to the vehicle's traditional pre-war look. A proper 700-16 bias-ply keeps the wheel and tire presentation aligned with the era, especially on a restoration where stance and sidewall character are part of the visual impression.

Appearance is not shaped by construction alone, since blackwall and wide whitewall versions can give the same car a very different personality. Choosing among the available tire series should take the full presentation into account, including the car's trim, wheel finish, and whether the goal is a formal show-oriented look or a simpler touring appearance.

Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use

Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1941 Packard 1901 Series?

Yes. Even though the primary tire size is 700-16, fitment can change if a 1941 Packard 1901 Series has aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, brake updates, suspension changes, or body repairs that affect clearance. A collector car can easily differ from its original wheel setup after decades of ownership.

That is why the tire size should be matched to the actual wheel and vehicle configuration, not just the model name alone. Checking wheel diameter, wheel width, front steering clearance, rear fender space, and the general condition of springs and suspension hardware helps avoid surprises once the new tires are installed.

What should I inspect before driving a 1941 Packard 1901 Series on new tires?

Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition, then confirm tire pressure and look over the tread and sidewalls after installation. On a 1941 Packard 1901 Series, it also makes sense to check for any rubbing at full steering lock and to verify that the spare and road tires match your intended setup.

A pre-war collector car should also have its suspension, steering components, and brakes reviewed before regular driving resumes. New tires cannot compensate for loose front-end parts, worn shocks, or long-neglected alignment issues, so a careful mechanical inspection helps the car track properly and protects the new 700-16 tires from uneven wear.

How should 700-16 tires on a collector 1941 Packard 1901 Series be maintained?

700-16 tires on a collector 1941 Packard 1901 Series should be kept properly inflated, visually inspected often, and protected from long-term exposure to heat, sunlight, and ozone-producing equipment. Regular checks for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular tread wear, and slow air loss are especially important on cars that spend extended time in storage.

Collector vehicles often age tires by time as much as by mileage, so low use does not automatically mean the tires are road-ready. It helps to move the car occasionally, keep the tires clean, and inspect the wheels and tubes or valve hardware during service so the whole assembly remains dependable for touring and event use.