1907 Packard stood near the top of the American luxury market, building powerful, prestigious touring automobiles for buyers who expected engineering refinement as much as visual presence. In the brass-era world, Packard had already earned a reputation for quality, and the Model Thirty reflects that early commitment to serious road performance and long-distance capability. For 1907 Packard, one model uses two different antique-format tire sizes, so the main question is not choosing between models but identifying which wheel and tire size your specific Model Thirty carries. Confirming whether your car takes 34X4 or 34X4.5 is the essential first step before comparing sidewall style, brand, and restoration goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1907 Packard
Two tire sizes are available for 1907 Packard, and both apply to the Model Thirty rather than being spread across multiple models. Because these sizes do not share the same rim diameter, the real decision starts with confirming which wheels are on your car before choosing a tire. Understanding that distinction first helps narrow the field quickly and keeps your selection aligned with the correct brass-era fitment.
Year(s): 1907|Fit(s): Model Thirty|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 26 in
34X4 is an antique diameter-by-section size, with 34 inches referring to overall tire diameter and 4 inches indicating nominal section width, and it is built as a bias-ply tire for a 26-inch rim. Brands in this size include Michelin, BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Universal Vintage Tire, with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles available. Buyers restoring a brass-era Packard for authentic appearance or traditional road manners will usually focus on this size when their Model Thirty is equipped with the corresponding 26-inch wheel.
Year(s): 1907|Fit(s): Model Thirty|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 25 in
34X4.5 is also an antique diameter-by-section size, with a 34-inch overall diameter, a nominal 4.5-inch section width, and bias-ply construction on a 25-inch rim. Brands in this size include BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Universal Vintage Tire, and sidewall choices include blackwall, all white, and wide whitewall treatments. This size is specific to Model Thirty examples fitted with the matching 25-inch wheel, making wheel confirmation more important than appearance preference at the start of the selection process. It suits owners aiming to keep the car in a proper brass-era tire format while choosing the sidewall presentation that best matches their restoration style.
One model is covered for 1907 Packard. Tire choice still requires attention, because the Model Thirty used more than one antique-size fitment rather than one universal size across the range. Select the model below to sort out which of the two brass-era sizes belongs on your car and to compare the available products in more detail.
1907 Packard Model Thirty
The 1907 Packard Model Thirty was a substantial brass-era touring car, known for the kind of upscale engineering and road-going confidence that helped define Packard's early reputation. Within this single model, tires mount on either 26-inch or 25-inch rims depending on which of the two listed sizes your car uses, so identifying the wheel setup on the vehicle matters before moving ahead.
Ten products are available across two tire sizes for 1907 Packard vehicles. 34X4 includes four bias-ply offerings from Michelin, BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Universal Vintage Tire in blackwall and wide whitewall styles, while 34X4.5 includes four bias-ply options from BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Universal Vintage Tire in blackwall, all white, and wide whitewall styles.
These FAQs sort through the two antique tire sizes used on 1907 Packard vehicles, how the Model Thirty relates to each one, and what to watch for with sidewall style, rim fitment, longer storage, and brass-era road use.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1907 Packard vehicles?
1907 Packard vehicles in this guide use two tire sizes: 34X4 and 34X4.5, both for the 1907 Packard Model Thirty. Even though the overall diameter is the same at 34 inches, they are not interchangeable by default because 34X4 mounts on a 26-inch rim and 34X4.5 mounts on a 25-inch rim. Available load figures also differ where published, with 34X4 listed up to 1102 pounds at 60 psi and 34X4.5 listed up to 1252 pounds at 60 psi or 1250 pounds at 65 psi depending on product.
That means a 1907 Packard owner should start with the wheel on the car, not simply the year and make. If your Model Thirty has the 26-inch wheel, you stay in the 34X4 group; if it has the 25-inch wheel, you look at 34X4.5 products instead. Once the wheel diameter is confirmed, the remaining choices are largely about sidewall appearance and brand preference rather than changing to a modern tire format.
What does 34X4 mean on a 1907 Packard tire?
On a 1907 Packard, 34X4 is an antique diameter-by-section size. The first number, 34, refers to the tire's overall outside diameter in inches, while the second number, 4, is the nominal section width in inches. In the products available for 1907 Packard, 34X4 is a bias-ply tire that fits a 26-inch rim, which is different from later sizing systems that lead with wheel diameter or use metric dimensions.
That older sizing format matters because many modern buyers assume the first number refers to the wheel, when on brass-era tires it does not. On a 1907 Packard Model Thirty, reading the size correctly helps avoid mixing up a 26-inch-rim 34X4 with a 25-inch-rim 34X4.5. Once the code is understood, it becomes much easier to compare blackwall versus whitewall options and narrow the proper fitment.
Do all 1907 Packard models use the same tire size?
Within this year and make, the guide covers one model: the 1907 Packard Model Thirty. That single model appears with two tire sizes, 34X4 and 34X4.5, so there is not one universal size that automatically applies to every 1907 Packard covered here. The difference is tied to wheel and rim fitment, since 34X4 uses a 26-inch rim and 34X4.5 uses a 25-inch rim.
For an owner or restorer, that means identifying the exact setup on the car is still necessary even when there is only one Packard model in the lineup. It is wise to check the existing wheel, the old tire if present, and any restoration records before choosing. That extra step is especially important on brass-era cars, where replacement wheels or long-ago repairs can change what the car currently carries.
Buying the Right Tire
Should I choose the 34X4 or the 34X4.5 for my 1907 Packard?
A 1907 Packard owner should choose between 34X4 and 34X4.5 by matching the tire to the wheel already on the car, not by treating them as two style variations of the same fitment. Both are bias-ply brass-era sizes used on the Model Thirty, but 34X4 fits a 26-inch rim and 34X4.5 fits a 25-inch rim. The 34X4.5 size is also nominally wider, so it is not simply a cosmetic alternative to 34X4.
Once you have confirmed the correct wheel diameter, then the decision becomes more about sidewall presentation and brand character within that size. If your goal is a formal, period-correct look, the available blackwall, wide whitewall, or all-white offerings can shape the appearance of the car significantly. The wrong starting size, however, will stop the project before those visual choices ever matter.
What sidewall styles are available for 1907 Packard tires?
1907 Packard tires are offered in several sidewall styles depending on size. In 34X4, the available choices are blackwall and wide whitewall. In 34X4.5, the range expands to blackwall, all white, and wide whitewall. All of these offerings remain within brass-era bias-ply construction, so the sidewall decision is mostly about presentation rather than changing the tire's basic era-correct format.
For a 1907 Packard restoration, blackwall usually gives the most restrained early motoring appearance, while white sidewall treatments create a more formal, dressier look that many owners prefer on show cars. Event standards and period photographs can influence which appearance feels most appropriate for your particular body style and restoration theme. Choosing sidewall style after confirming the correct size is the cleanest way to balance authenticity and aesthetics.
What brands make tires for 1907 Packard vehicles?
1907 Packard tires are available from several established vintage tire names. The 34X4 size includes Michelin, BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Universal Vintage Tire. The 34X4.5 size includes BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Universal Vintage Tire. All of the products shown for these Packard sizes are bias-ply offerings intended to preserve a brass-era tire format rather than substitute a modern radial equivalent.
Brand choice on a 1907 Packard usually comes down to the sidewall treatment you want, the load-and-pressure specifications published for a given tire, and the look you are trying to achieve on the finished car. Some owners gravitate toward a name with long historical recognition, while others focus on a specific sidewall style or visual profile. Comparing by size first keeps those brand preferences grounded in the correct fitment.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1907 Packard tires require?
The available 1907 Packard tire listings identify rim diameter, but they do not establish a published rim-width range for the 34X4 or 34X4.5 products shown here. What is clear is that 34X4 mounts on a 26-inch rim and 34X4.5 mounts on a 25-inch rim, so wheel diameter is the critical fitment checkpoint before you evaluate any other wheel detail. On a brass-era car, that distinction is often more important than a modern buyer expects.
For practical fitment work, inspect the actual wheel on the 1907 Packard Model Thirty and compare it to the tire size already known for the car whenever possible. If the wheels have been restored, replaced, or mixed over the years, it is smart to measure carefully and consult a Packard specialist before finalizing the tire choice. That approach helps avoid forcing an antique tire onto the wrong rim profile.
Do 1907 Packard tires require inner tubes?
The 1907 Packard tires listed here are brass-era bias-ply products, and owners should treat tube use as part of the normal setup considerations for antique clincher-style applications. The size markings shown do not separate the products into modern tubeless and tube-type categories, so the right tube arrangement should be confirmed against the specific wheel and tire being used. On an early Packard, tube, flap, and rim-condition questions are part of the same installation conversation.
That matters because a correct antique tire installation depends on the whole wheel assembly, not just the outer casing. Before mounting tires on a 1907 Packard, inspect the wheel condition, verify the proper hardware for the rim style, and match the supporting components to the tire selected. Owners who are newer to brass-era cars are well served by using a shop or specialist familiar with early demountable and clincher-era practices.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1907 Packard when the tires are fitted?
A 1907 Packard should be stored in a cool, dry, dark environment away from sunlight, electric motors, welders, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber prematurely. Because the available 1907 Packard tires are all bias-ply brass-era designs, they are especially prone to flat-spotting if the car sits in one place for long stretches. Clean, stable concrete or a barrier under the tires is better than dirt or damp flooring.
For longer storage, maintain inflation, move the car periodically, or use stands when appropriate so the full vehicle weight is not always resting on the same contact patch. It is also wise to avoid leaving a 1907 Packard parked with one tire in water or direct sun while the others are sheltered. Even a show car that sees little mileage benefits from disciplined storage habits because age and environment often matter more than wear.
How long do tires on a 1907 Packard typically last?
Tires on a 1907 Packard are usually judged by age and condition more than by mileage, since collector cars often accumulate very few road miles each year. A sensible rule is to evaluate them closely once they reach about five to seven years of service and to treat ten years as a serious replacement consideration even if the tread still looks sound. The DOT-style age-check habit modern owners use on later tires remains a useful mindset, but overall condition still matters greatly on antique applications.
A brass-era Packard that is driven infrequently can still develop sidewall weathering, internal aging, or storage-related damage long before the tread appears worn out. Regular review by a knowledgeable vintage tire professional is especially helpful if the car is shown often but driven sparingly. Replacing tires on age before failure is usually far less costly than risking damage to an early car from a preventable roadside issue.
How often should tires on a 1907 Packard be inspected?
Tires on a 1907 Packard should be inspected before every drive and again before any extended tour or event. Look for cracking in the sidewalls, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, irregular tread wear, and any sign that the tire is not holding pressure consistently. Because antique Packard setups often involve tube-related installation considerations, the valve area and overall wheel condition deserve as much attention as the outer tread and sidewall.
A brief walk-around before driving can catch issues early, especially on a car that may sit for weeks between outings. For longer trips, include the spare in the same inspection routine so it is ready if needed rather than simply present. On a 1907 Packard, tire inspection is part of a broader old-car habit: mechanical sympathy and prevention are always easier than roadside problem-solving.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1907 Packard Model Thirty?
The 1907 Packard Model Thirty belongs to the brass-era period, when bias-ply construction was the expected original tire type. The available replacement sizes for this model are 34X4 and 34X4.5, both in antique diameter-by-section format and both offered as bias-ply tires, which aligns with what a restorer would expect for a car of this age. A specific original-equipment brand should be confirmed separately if that level of historical precision matters to your restoration.
That makes the first authenticity question one of size and wheel match, followed by sidewall appearance and brand presentation. If your 1907 Packard is headed for a highly judged restoration, compare the car's surviving components, period photos, and Packard club guidance before deciding between blackwall and white-sidewall treatments. Keeping the tire in the correct antique format is the foundation of an authentic overall look.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1907 Packard?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1907 Packard, especially in events that evaluate authenticity rather than simply presentation. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size matches the car, whether the construction style suits the brass-era period, and whether the sidewall treatment looks appropriate to the restoration theme. On an early Packard, an incorrect rim-to-tire relationship can stand out just as much as a visibly modern tread character.
For practical show preparation, make sure the tire size on the car matches the wheel diameter it requires before focusing on cosmetic details. Then consider whether blackwall, wide whitewall, or all-white styling best fits the body style and the way the car is being presented. Marque clubs and event rulebooks are the best references for deciding how strict a given show will be about those details.
What is the difference between Firestone Non Skid and BFGoodrich Cord for the 1907 Packard?
For 1907 Packard fitments, Firestone Non Skid and BFGoodrich Cord differ in sidewall offerings and published load-and-pressure figures depending on size. In 34X4, Firestone appears as a blackwall tire with a listed maximum load of 1102 pounds at 60 psi, while BFGoodrich is offered as a wide whitewall in that size. In 34X4.5, Firestone appears as an all-white tire rated at 1252 pounds at 60 psi, while BFGoodrich is available as blackwall and wide whitewall, with one listed load figure of 1250 pounds at 65 psi.
That means the practical difference is less about changing the underlying brass-era construction and more about visual style and the exact specification published for the individual tire. A 1907 Packard owner comparing the two should look at the correct size first, then decide whether the desired sidewall appearance and stated load-and-pressure pairing suit the car's intended use. It is a comparison worth making product by product rather than brand by brand alone.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1907 Packard tires safe for highway driving?
1907 Packard tires can be used on the road when they are correctly matched, properly mounted, and in sound condition, but they are brass-era bias-ply tires and should be driven with period-appropriate expectations. No modern speed rating is shown for these 34X4 and 34X4.5 products, so they should not be treated like contemporary high-speed touring tires. On a car as early as a 1907 Packard, the overall vehicle's brakes, steering, suspension, and road manners are usually at least as important as the tire itself in setting safe cruising speed.
For most owners, the right mindset is careful, moderate-speed use on roads that suit an early automobile. A fresh, correctly fitted tire is only one part of that equation, and the mechanical state of the car should be evaluated before any sustained drive. If your Packard is newly restored or newly acquired, a gradual shake-down approach is smarter than assuming it is ready for modern traffic conditions immediately.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1907 Packard tires?
Inflation pressure for 1907 Packard tires should follow the specific tire's published limits together with the vehicle's own operating guidance. Among the products listed here, 34X4 includes a published figure of 1102 pounds at 60 psi, while 34X4.5 includes published figures of 1252 pounds at 60 psi and 1250 pounds at 65 psi depending on the tire. Those numbers are tire-specific ratings, not a universal instruction to run every 1907 Packard tire at the same pressure.
In practice, the best approach is to identify the exact size and product first, then compare its rated pressure information with factory-era guidance for the car. Avoid transferring a pressure figure from 34X4 to 34X4.5 or from one brand to another just because the tires look similar. Antique Packard fitment rewards careful matching, and inflation is one of the places where that discipline matters most.
What should I check before taking a 1907 Packard on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1907 Packard, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs of air loss, then verify that the spare is equally serviceable. Pay close attention to the valve area and the overall condition of the wheel assembly, since early tire systems place more emphasis on proper mounting details than many later cars do. Confirming that the tires are the correct 34X4 or 34X4.5 for the wheels on the car is part of that pre-drive routine.
Tires are only one piece of a longer-trip check on a brass-era Packard, so include brakes, steering play, wheel bearings, lubrication points, cooling, and fuel delivery in the same inspection mindset. A car from 1907 rewards patient preparation more than last-minute confidence. Taking time to review the whole chassis before departure makes the drive more enjoyable and greatly reduces the chance of avoidable roadside problems.