1958 Packard All Except: Tires

The 1958 Packard All Except uses two primary tire sizes: 710-15 and 800-14. Both are vintage numeric bias-ply sizes, but they are not interchangeable descriptions of the same tire because they belong to different wheel diameters and different fitment paths for the car.

The practical question is which wheel setup is actually on the vehicle. A car wearing 15-inch wheels points you toward 710-15, while a 14-inch wheel setup points you toward 800-14. On a collector car, that should be confirmed at the wheel itself rather than assumed from model year alone, especially if wheels or tires were changed decades ago.

A 1958 Packard All Except can use either a 15-inch rim with 710-15 tires or a 14-inch rim with 800-14 tires. Both tire sizes are primary fitments for this model group, so rim diameter is one of the most important details to verify before selecting replacement tires.

Checking the current wheel diameter avoids choosing the right-looking tire in the wrong size family. It also keeps the search focused when comparing bias-ply tires versus radial equivalents, since each primary size has its own equivalent options and recommended rim-width guidance. A quick wheel inspection is more useful here than relying on assumptions about what the car should have.

The 1958 Packard All Except has more than one tire size because this model group is associated with two primary wheel-and-tire combinations: 710-15 and 800-14. Both are bias-ply fitments, but one uses a 15-inch rim and the other uses a 14-inch rim, which creates two separate selection paths.

That means the first step is not picking a brand or sidewall style, but confirming which wheel diameter is on the car now. Once that is settled, the tire choice becomes much easier because each size has its own product assortment, sidewall treatments, and radial-equivalent options. This is especially important on restored or long-owned cars that may no longer match an earlier setup.

For the 1958 Packard All Except, 710-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. In vintage numeric sizing, that code refers to the original-style fitment family, and the available 710-15 products are bias-ply tires rather than standard radial tires.

A radial alternative can still be considered, but it should be treated as an equivalent option rather than the same construction in a different label. Owners choosing between bias-ply and radial usually weigh traditional appearance and period driving character against modern radial preferences. Wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance should all be reviewed before making the change.

Radial equivalents for 710-15 are 205R15, P215/75R15, P225/70R15, and 710R15. Radial equivalents for 800-14 are 205R14, P215/75R14, P225/70R14, and 800R14. In each group, the first is an 80-series metric radial, the next two are 75-series and 70-series P-metric radials, and the last is a bias-look radial.

Those equivalents give owners several ways to move from a vintage numeric bias-ply size into a radial format, but they are still alternatives that need to be checked on the actual car. Rim-width guidance is 6-8 inches for 710-15 equivalents and 5-7 inches for 800-14 equivalents, and wheel compatibility and clearance should be reviewed before conversion.

Start by confirming the original bias-ply size on the car, then match it to the correct radial-equivalent family. A 710-15 setup leads to 205R15, P215/75R15, P225/70R15, or 710R15, while an 800-14 setup leads to 205R14, P215/75R14, P225/70R14, or 800R14.

The next step is making sure the wheel diameter and wheel width suit the equivalent you are considering. Clearance at the fenders and steering components also matters, especially on an older car that may have had suspension or wheel changes over time. A conversion decision should balance appearance goals, wheel compatibility, and how the Packard is actually driven.

The first consideration is the wheel diameter already on the car, since 710-15 belongs on a 15-inch rim and 800-14 belongs on a 14-inch rim. After that, the key choices are construction type, sidewall appearance, and the tire series or brand that best matches the way the Packard is being restored or driven.

A period-style bias-ply selection keeps the car in its original fitment family, while radial equivalents open a different path that should be checked carefully. Sidewall treatment also changes the visual character quite a bit, especially on a late-1950s American car. It helps to decide early whether the goal is understated blackwall, narrow whitewall, or a fuller wide whitewall presentation.

Tires for the 1958 Packard All Except are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. Those choices appear across the two primary sizes, giving owners room to tailor the car's look within the correct size family rather than changing fitment just to get a certain appearance.

Sidewall style can strongly influence how the car presents, especially on a 1958 model where whitewall proportions are a major visual cue. A blackwall keeps the look restrained, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the car toward different restoration-oriented appearances. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, sidewall treatment becomes one of the clearest ways to refine the Packard's stance and character.

Available brands for the 1958 Packard All Except include BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, US Royal, and Universal Vintage Tire. The exact brand mix depends on whether the car uses 710-15 or 800-14, so the brand decision should follow wheel-diameter confirmation rather than come first.

Brand choice works alongside series and sidewall style, not separately from them. Some owners focus on a particular period-style brand look, while others care more about getting the right whitewall presentation in the correct size. Once the fitment is narrowed down, comparing rim-width specifications, load figures where shown, and available sidewall treatments gives a much clearer picture than brand name alone.

A period-style choice starts with keeping the car in its correct primary size family, either 710-15 or 800-14, and staying with bias-ply construction if traditional appearance is the main priority. From there, the visual direction usually comes down to blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall, depending on the look you want the Packard to carry.

For many restorations, the tire's profile and sidewall treatment influence the finished appearance as much as the wheel itself. If exact historical presentation matters beyond a generally period-style result, marque references and vehicle-specific documentation are worth checking before settling on a stripe width or brand. That extra step helps separate tasteful restoration choices from assumptions.

Tire construction changes more than ride character on a restored 1958 Packard All Except; it also affects how the car looks at a glance. A bias-ply tire keeps the car within its original-style fitment family, while a radial alternative can change the visual impression even when the tire remains in an equivalent overall category.

That difference is why many restoration-minded owners decide on construction before comparing brands or whitewall styles. A bias-look radial can be useful for someone who wants a more traditional presentation while exploring radial construction, but it still deserves the same wheel and clearance checks as any other equivalent. Appearance goals and fitment accuracy work best when considered together.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1958 Packard All Except. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, different offsets, suspension work, or body modifications can all influence whether a 710-15, 800-14, or any radial equivalent is still a sensible match for the actual car.

That matters because this Packard already has two primary size paths tied to different rim diameters. Any change from the original wheel setup can alter clearance and the tire choices that make sense. Looking at the wheel itself, checking fender and steering clearance, and confirming suspension condition will usually answer more than relying on the model name alone.

Before driving a 1958 Packard All Except on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, verify proper air pressure, and make sure each tire is seated and inflated evenly. It is also smart to check for rubbing at full steering lock and look over suspension and steering components for looseness or wear.

A collector car can expose old problems quickly once fresh tires are installed. Brake condition, alignment, and wheel hardware all deserve attention, especially after long storage or intermittent use. A short, cautious test drive followed by another look at pressure and clearance is a sensible final step before putting the Packard back into regular road service.

Collector-car tires in 710-15 or 800-14 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even when tread wear is minimal, a low-use Packard can still develop age-related issues such as sidewall cracking, flat spotting, bulges, cuts, or slow air loss that deserve prompt attention.

Routine inspection matters more on vehicles that sit for long periods than on cars driven daily. Keeping the Packard away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps preserve tire condition over time. It also helps to inspect the tires before each outing and give them a closer review before any longer drive or touring event.