1941 Packard 1903-6 Tires

The 1941 Packard 1903-6 came from the final prewar season, when Packard still balanced prestige, smooth straight-eight power, and formal American luxury with a strong emphasis on road manners. Owners restoring or maintaining one of these cars usually want a tire that supports that substantial prewar look without losing sight of safe, usable fitment. This Packard uses a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. Within that size, the choices include blackwall and wide whitewall styles along with classic bias-ply and more specialized military or truck-style patterns. The real decision is matching the tire's look and intended use to the car's restoration direction and wheel setup.

Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1941 Packard 1903-6

The 1941 Packard 1903-6 uses one primary tire size: 700-16, a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim. The same size applies to the covered 8 Cyl. configuration, so the main choice is not between multiple primary sizes, but between sidewall appearance, tire series, and whether the selected 700-16 matches the car's intended restoration style and road use.

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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 leading number to indicate an approximate 7.00-inch nominal section width, while the final number identifies a 16-inch wheel. On a 1941 Packard 1903-6, this is a traditional bias-ply fitment that suits the car's prewar driving character and period-style stance. Available choices include blackwall and wide whitewall versions from brands such as Lester, BFGoodrich, and Firestone, along with several classic series and some military or truck-oriented patterns. Choosing among them comes down to the appearance you want, the wheel dimensions on the car, and the type of road use the Packard will actually see.

Explore 700-16 Tires

1941 Packard 1903-6 Sub-Model Tires

Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1941 Packard 1903-6 sub-models because the same primary size is used throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car has not been altered with different wheels or a non-standard setup over the years.

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1941 Packard 1903-6 8 Cyl.

The 1941 Packard 1903-6 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the core vehicle fitment. That keeps selection focused on sidewall presentation, tire series, and wheel compatibility rather than sorting through multiple primary size options.

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 1903-6 Tires for Sale

Available 700-16 choices for the 1941 Packard 1903-6 span Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Buyers can compare blackwall and wide whitewall styles, traditional classic bias-ply series, and several military or truck-style tread patterns within the same 16-inch fitment.

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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

Common questions for the 1941 Packard 1903-6 usually center on the 700-16 tire size, 16-inch rim fitment, period-style sidewall choices, and what to inspect before putting a prewar Packard back into regular road use.

Tire Size & Fitment

What tire size fits a 1941 Packard 1903-6?

The 1941 Packard 1903-6 uses a 700-16 tire size. That is a numeric bias-ply fitment paired with a 16-inch rim, and it is the primary size associated with this Packard application.

That makes the next step less about choosing between sizes and more about confirming the car still has the correct wheel setup. A long-stored Packard may have replacement wheels or older non-matching tires, so checking the actual rim diameter, wheel width, and overall clearance before selecting a new 700-16 is still worthwhile.

What size rim does a 1941 Packard 1903-6 use?

The primary tire fitment for the 1941 Packard 1903-6 is built around a 16-inch rim. The 700-16 size itself confirms that wheel diameter, and several available products in this fitment are intended for 16-inch applications.

Diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a prewar car. It also helps to confirm the wheel width before choosing among available 700-16 tires, especially if the car has been restored over time or fitted with replacement wheels. A tire can share the correct diameter and still need a compatible rim width and proper chassis clearance.

Does the 1941 Packard 1903-6 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?

Yes. The covered 1941 Packard 1903-6 8 Cyl. application uses the same 700-16 bias-ply tire size as the core 1941 Packard 1903-6 fitment. There is no separate primary tire size shown for that sub-model.

That consistency makes shopping easier, but it does not remove the need to inspect the actual car. A collector vehicle may have had wheel changes, mixed tire types, or long-term storage issues at some point in its life. Verifying the wheel dimensions and condition of the surrounding suspension and braking components remains a smart step before mounting new tires.

Choosing the Right Tire

What should I consider when choosing a 700-16 tire for a 1941 Packard 1903-6?

Start with the correct primary size, which is 700-16, and make sure the tire matches the car's 16-inch wheel setup. From there, the main decision is whether the Packard needs a traditional passenger-car presentation, a wide whitewall restoration-oriented look, or a more specialized military or truck-style tread pattern.

It also helps to compare rim-width compatibility, tire construction, and any available load figures tied to inflation pressure. A car aimed at show presentation may call for a different sidewall treatment than one used for regular touring. Matching the tire's character to the Packard's intended use usually matters as much as choosing the right nominal size.

What sidewall styles are available for 1941 Packard 1903-6 tires?

The 1941 Packard 1903-6 has 700-16 tire choices in both blackwall and wide whitewall form. Those sidewall treatments create a noticeably different visual effect even when the tire size and basic bias-ply construction remain the same.

A wide whitewall typically suits a more formal prewar luxury presentation, while a blackwall can look more understated or more utility-oriented depending on the tread pattern chosen. Since sidewall appearance changes the car's overall stance and character, many buyers pick that detail early, then narrow the final choice by brand, series, and wheel compatibility.

What brands offer tires for the 1941 Packard 1903-6?

Available 700-16 tires for the 1941 Packard 1903-6 include options from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. Those brands appear across classic bias-ply passenger designs as well as more specialized military or truck-style offerings in the same nominal size.

The brand name is only one part of the decision. Buyers should also compare sidewall style, tire series, construction details, and wheel-width compatibility where that information is available. On a prewar Packard, the right visual presentation can matter just as much as the name on the sidewall, especially when the car is being restored with a specific period feel in mind.

Restoration & Appearance

Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1941 Packard 1903-6?

A 700-16 bias-ply tire is the right starting point for a period-style 1941 Packard 1903-6 because it matches the primary fitment format used on this application. Within that size, the most restoration-oriented choices usually come down to classic passenger-car tread patterns and the sidewall presentation you want on the finished car.

Wide whitewall and blackwall options can give the Packard a very different visual character even when both are in the correct size. If exact originality matters beyond general prewar appearance, it is worth comparing the tire choice against marque references, period photos, and vehicle-specific restoration guidance rather than relying on size alone.

Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1941 Packard 1903-6 restoration?

Yes, correct tire fitment matters because the tire has a major effect on stance, wheel-well fill, and the overall visual balance of a 1941 Packard 1903-6. Staying with the proper 700-16 bias-ply format helps preserve the kind of presentation most buyers expect from a substantial prewar luxury car.

Appearance is only part of the story. Proper fitment also supports sensible wheel compatibility and reduces the chance of problems caused by mismatched dimensions on an older chassis. Even a beautifully restored Packard can look and feel off if the tires do not suit the wheels, body proportions, and intended period-style character of the car.

Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use

Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1941 Packard 1903-6?

Yes. A 1941 Packard 1903-6 may still call for a 700-16 tire, but wheel changes, altered suspension height, brake conversions, or body repairs can all affect how that size fits in practice. Even on a car with the correct nominal size, the actual wheel and chassis setup can change the available clearance.

That is why a buyer should inspect the car rather than assume every 700-16 choice will behave the same way on every restored example. Checking wheel width, steering clearance, fender space, and the condition of springs and suspension components helps prevent fitment surprises on a collector vehicle that may have been modified decades ago.

What should I inspect before driving a 1941 Packard 1903-6 on new tires?

Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or excessive corrosion, confirm the tire beads are seated properly, and make sure the tires are inflated appropriately for the chosen application. It also helps to look over the valve stems, lug hardware, and visible brake and suspension components on a 1941 Packard 1903-6.

A prewar car often needs a broader check than the tires alone. Watch for rubbing at full steering lock, uneven ride height, looseness in steering parts, and any signs that the car has been sitting for long periods. A careful short test drive, followed by another inspection for air loss or clearance marks, is a sensible final step.

How should 700-16 tires on a collector 1941 Packard 1903-6 be maintained?

700-16 tires on a collector 1941 Packard 1903-6 should be inspected regularly for cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss. Collector cars often spend more time parked than driven, so condition and storage habits can matter as much as tread depth.

Keeping the car in a clean, dry space away from prolonged sunlight and ozone sources helps preserve the tire casing and sidewalls. Pressure checks should be part of every pre-drive routine, especially after storage. Rolling the car periodically and watching for vibration or pulling on the road can also reveal problems before they become more serious.