The 1948 Packard Custom came to market at a moment when Packard still represented formal American luxury, with substantial coachwork, long-wheelbase presence, and the kind of road manners owners still value in a postwar touring car. Tire choice on a car like this is less about chasing modern trends and more about preserving the way the vehicle looks, sits, and feels on the road. The 1948 Packard Custom uses a 700-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. Within that size, there are blackwall and wide whitewall choices, along with several classic bias-ply series. The right selection depends on whether the goal is restoration-oriented appearance, traditional driving character, or general road-ready service.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1948 Packard Custom
The 1948 Packard Custom uses one primary tire size: 700-16. That size is a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim, and it carries across the covered Custom 8 application, so the main decision is not size selection but which style and product best suits the car's appearance, intended use, and wheel setup.
A 700-16 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the 700 indicates an approximate 7.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the rim diameter in inches. On a 1948 Packard Custom, that format keeps the car in its original-era tire construction and visual character, which matters on a large postwar luxury car. Available choices in this size include blackwall and wide whitewall designs from brands such as Lester, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, Tornel, and STA across several classic tire series. It is the right starting point for maintaining period-style proportions while still comparing appearance, rim-width compatibility, and intended use.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1948 Packard Custom sub-models. The key value in checking the exact sub-model is simply confirming that the car remains on the expected wheel and tire setup before choosing among whitewall, blackwall, or specialty bias-ply options.
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1948 Packard Custom 8
The 1948 Packard Custom 8 uses the same 700-16 bias-ply fitment associated with the model line. That keeps tire selection focused on presentation and use, whether the goal is a traditional wide whitewall look or a more service-oriented blackwall bias-ply choice.
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:
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 1948 Packard Custom Tires for Sale
Available 700-16 choices span Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA, with classic bias-ply series in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. The product range also includes military and truck-style variations, so appearance, intended use, and rim-width details are worth comparing carefully.
Common questions for the 1948 Packard Custom usually center on the 700-16 size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall style, and how to choose a tire that suits both restoration goals and safe road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1948 Packard Custom?
The 1948 Packard Custom uses a 700-16 tire. This is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and it is the primary size associated with the covered Custom application, including the Custom 8.
That makes the main fitment decision fairly simple: start with 700-16, then compare the available tire styles within that size. Before replacing tires, confirm that the car still has the expected 16-inch wheels and has not been changed to aftermarket rims or a different wheel setup that could affect proper mounting and clearance.
What size rim does a 1948 Packard Custom use?
The 1948 Packard Custom uses a 16-inch rim with its 700-16 tire size. Product fitments in this size commonly reference a 16-inch rim and, in several cases, a rim-width range of 4.50 to 5.50 inches.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before ordering because a 700-16 tire is built for a 16-inch wheel, not a near match. Rim width also matters, especially on a heavy collector car, since the tire should be matched to a wheel that supports proper section shape, mounting, and clearance under real road conditions.
What does 700-16 mean on a 1948 Packard Custom?
On a 1948 Packard Custom, 700-16 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 700 represents an approximate 7.00-inch nominal section width, and the 16 refers to the wheel diameter in inches.
This older sizing format differs from later metric and P-metric radial designations, so it helps to read it as an era-specific bias-ply measurement rather than a modern tread-width formula. Once the size is confirmed, the next choice becomes sidewall treatment, tire series, and intended use rather than searching for a different primary fitment size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-16 tire for a 1948 Packard Custom?
Start with the correct 700-16 size and the car's bias-ply construction. From there, compare whether the tire is aimed at classic passenger-car use or more specialized military and truck-style service, along with sidewall style, rim-width specification, weight, and any stated load figure.
A restoration-oriented Packard often calls for a different visual presentation than a car being kept as a practical road car. Wide whitewalls create a more formal postwar luxury look, while blackwalls are more understated. Wheel condition, intended driving distance, and how closely the car is being returned to period style should guide the final choice.
What sidewall styles are available for 1948 Packard Custom tires?
The 1948 Packard Custom's 700-16 tire choices include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Those two appearances create very different visual results even when the tire size and basic bias-ply construction remain the same.
Wide whitewalls tend to suit the formal, upscale presentation many owners want from a late-1940s Packard, while blackwalls offer a plainer and more utilitarian look. The right choice depends on how the car is being finished and driven, especially if the goal is a restoration-style appearance rather than simply putting any correct-size tire on the car.
What brands offer tires for the 1948 Packard Custom?
The 700-16 size for the 1948 Packard Custom is available from Lester, Avon, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Tornel, and STA. These brands cover several classic bias-ply product families, including traditional passenger-car styles and more specialized military or truck-oriented designs.
Brand choice is only one part of the decision. It helps to compare the tire series, sidewall style, rim-width notes, and whether the tire's appearance matches the way the Packard is being restored or used. On a collector car, visual character and proper size presentation matter just as much as the name on the sidewall.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1948 Packard Custom?
A period-style 1948 Packard Custom should begin with the correct 700-16 bias-ply size. From there, the most restoration-oriented choices are usually the classic passenger-car bias-ply options rather than military or truck-style versions of the same size.
The exact finishing touch depends on how the car is being presented. A wide whitewall often complements the formal look many owners want from a postwar Packard, while a blackwall gives a more restrained appearance. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against marque references, period photos, and vehicle-specific restoration documentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1948 Packard Custom?
Tire construction plays a visible role on a restored 1948 Packard Custom because the car's original-era fitment is a 700-16 bias-ply. Bias-ply tires help preserve the taller, more traditional sidewall shape and overall visual character associated with large American luxury cars of the late 1940s.
Appearance is shaped by more than size alone. Sidewall treatment, tread style, and the way the tire sits on the proper wheel all influence whether the car looks authentically of its era or noticeably altered. Even within the correct size, a passenger-car bias-ply usually presents differently from a military or truck-style tire.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1948 Packard Custom?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1948 Packard Custom even when the intended size remains 700-16. Wheel changes, altered rim width, suspension work, lowering, or body and brake modifications can all change how a bias-ply tire mounts and clears.
A car that still appears stock may have had changes made over the years, so it is smart to measure the actual wheel diameter and check wheel width before mounting new tires. Clearance at the fender, steering components, and suspension should also be inspected, especially on a large collector car with decades of service history.
What should I inspect before driving a 1948 Packard Custom on new tires?
Before driving a 1948 Packard Custom on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition and correct size, confirm proper mounting, and check that the tires hold pressure evenly. It also helps to look over the suspension, steering, and brake components so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for worn chassis parts.
Collector cars often spend long periods parked, which makes a careful road-readiness check especially important. Verify clearance at full steering lock, recheck lug hardware after installation, and watch for vibration or pulling on the first drives. A fresh set of tires performs best when the rest of the car's running gear is equally ready for use.
How should 700-16 tires on a collector 1948 Packard Custom be maintained?
700-16 tires on a collector 1948 Packard Custom should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and periodic review for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss. A car that is driven infrequently still needs tire attention because age and storage conditions affect rubber over time.
Long-term care also means storing the Packard away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources when possible. Occasional movement helps avoid flat spotting, and any change in ride feel should be investigated promptly. On an older luxury car, tire condition is part of overall roadworthiness, not just appearance.
