1934 Packard Tire Fitment Guide

1934 Packard vehicles use two different tire sizes, and they are tied directly to model family. The 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. uses 700-17, while the 1934 Packard 12 Cyl. uses 750-17. Both are bias-ply sizes mounted on 17-inch rims. Listed rim-width ranges and wheel recommendations vary by tire, including 3.5 to 4.0 inches on one 700-17 Ensign fitment, 4 inches on several Firestone versions, and 5.50 to 6.00 inches on one 750-17 BFGoodrich wide whitewall.

That means year and make alone are not enough when ordering for 1934 Packard. The practical first step is to identify whether the car is an Eight or a Twelve, then compare the actual wheel against the rim-width range shown for the specific tire you want. Since both sizes share a 17-inch rim diameter, confusion usually comes from choosing the wrong section size for the model rather than the wrong wheel diameter.

On a 1934 Packard, 700-17 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 700 portion is the nominal section-width designation used in period tire sizing, and the 17 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric radial code, so it should be read as a traditional prewar American tire size. On 1934 Packard, this size belongs to the 8 Cyl. models.

Understanding that code helps keep an Eight owner from drifting into later sizing systems that may look familiar but are not era-correct. When comparing actual products in 700-17, pay attention to sidewall styling and the wheel-width range for that exact tire, since blackwall, whitewall, and double-whitewall versions can all fit the same nominal size while presenting the car very differently.

No, 1934 Packard models do not all use the same tire size. The 8 Cyl. models use 700-17, while the 12 Cyl. models use 750-17. Both remain 17-inch bias-ply applications, but the larger senior Packard uses the larger numeric size. That distinction is important because the size difference is tied to the model line, not simply a styling preference.

A buyer looking at a Packard from across the room may see similar wheels and assume the same tire fits both cars, but that is where mistakes happen. Confirm the exact model before choosing a tire, then confirm the wheel itself against the selected tire's approved rim-width range. That extra check is especially worthwhile on restored cars, where wheels may have been changed over the years.

The choice between 700-17 and 750-17 for a 1934 Packard is determined by model, not by driving style. A 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. uses 700-17, while a 1934 Packard 12 Cyl. uses 750-17. Both sizes are bias-ply constructions on 17-inch rims, so this is not a bias-versus-radial decision within the year-make range. It is a matter of matching the correct size to the correct Packard series.

Once the model is confirmed, the real buying decision shifts to sidewall appearance, brand preference, and the exact wheel-width compatibility of the tire you are considering. A Twelve owner should not step down to the Eight's size simply because more familiar options exist, and an Eight owner should not assume the larger senior size is an upgrade. On a Classic Era Packard, correct sizing is part of both proper stance and proper restoration practice.

1934 Packard tires are available in blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall styles, depending on size and brand. The 750-17 range for the 12 Cyl. includes blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall choices from Firestone and BFGoodrich. The 700-17 range for the 8 Cyl. also includes blackwall, double-whitewall, and wide whitewall options from Firestone, with blackwall availability from Ensign as well. That gives owners several appearance directions while staying within the correct period-style construction.

Sidewall style can change the character of a 1934 Packard as much as the paint or hubcaps. Blackwalls suit a more restrained, formal presentation, while whitewall treatments bring out the grand touring and concours side of a Classic Era luxury car. If authenticity is the priority, match the sidewall style to the way your Packard would have been trimmed and presented, and check marque references or period photos for your specific body style.

Three brands appear in the available 1934 Packard tire range: Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Ensign. The 750-17 size used on 1934 Packard 12 Cyl. models is offered by Firestone and BFGoodrich. The 700-17 size used on 1934 Packard 8 Cyl. models is offered by Firestone and Ensign. All of those offerings are bias-ply tires appropriate to the period character of a prewar Packard.

Brand choice for 1934 Packard usually comes down to the specific size you need, the sidewall look you want, and the wheel-width range that best matches your car. A Twelve owner has a different brand mix available than an Eight owner, so it helps to narrow the car correctly before comparing aesthetics or load figures. For restorations with event goals, many owners also weigh brand heritage and visual presentation alongside pure fitment.

Rim-width requirements for 1934 Packard tires depend on the specific tire and size. In 700-17, Firestone versions are listed for 4-inch rims, while one Ensign B5 blackwall fits 3.5 to 4.0-inch rims. In 750-17, some Firestone products are listed for 4-inch rims, while one BFGoodrich wide whitewall is listed for 5.50 to 6.00-inch rims. All of these tires mount on 17-inch rim diameters, but width compatibility is product-specific.

That range is why wheel verification matters before choosing by appearance alone. A restorer should inspect the actual wheel on the car, especially if it has changed hands or undergone restoration work, and compare it with the exact tire's approved rim-width range. Matching the tire to the wheel helps preserve the intended profile, bead seating, and overall road manners of a large prewar automobile.

Original 1934 Packard wheels can share the same 17-inch rim diameter across both tire sizes, but that does not mean every wheel is automatically suitable for both 700-17 and 750-17. The Eight uses 700-17 and the Twelve uses 750-17, and approved rim-width ranges vary by the exact tire chosen. Some tires in both sizes are listed for 4-inch rims, while others call for a wider wheel range.

That makes wheel diameter only the first part of the check. A buyer comparing tires across the year should confirm the car's actual wheel width and then match it to the tire being considered, especially on a car that may have received replacement wheels during its life. Keeping the proper model-size pairing is the starting point; making sure the wheel width suits that tire is the finishing step.

A 1934 Packard should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, heaters, and other ozone sources that accelerate sidewall aging. Because 1934 Packard uses bias-ply tires, extended static storage can encourage flat-spotting more readily than many radial applications. Keep the tires clean, maintain inflation, and avoid letting the car sit for long periods on damp concrete if moisture migration is a concern.

Periodic movement helps distribute the load and reduces the chance of taking a set in one contact patch. For longer storage, many collectors either roll the car occasionally or support it in a way that reduces sustained weight on the tires without leaving the suspension hanging unnaturally. A Packard of this size and age rewards gentle storage habits, because the tires are carrying a substantial, slow-moving luxury chassis even when parked.

Tires on a 1934 Packard are usually judged more by age and condition than by mileage, because many collector cars see limited annual use. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating them closely around five to seven years of age and to treat ten years as a serious replacement point even if tread depth still looks serviceable. The DOT date code and the overall condition of the casing matter more than odometer miles on a low-use prewar Packard.

A car that spends most of its life indoors can still age its tires through time, heat cycles, and long periods of static loading. If your 1934 Packard is driven only to local shows, do not assume low mileage equals long remaining life. Sidewall condition, age, and the way the tire holds pressure are better indicators than tread wear alone on a Classic Era automobile.

Tires on a 1934 Packard should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, uneven wear, tread separation, bulges, and slow pressure loss. Since these are bias-ply applications on a heavy prewar car, any sign of casing distress deserves prompt attention. The spare should be checked on the same schedule rather than treated as an afterthought.

A longer tour is not the time to discover a marginal tire, especially on a car built in an era of mechanical brakes, high unsprung weight, and more deliberate road manners. Regular inspections also help catch wheel or alignment issues early, because unusual wear often appears at the tire first. If your Packard uses older tubes or valve hardware, include those parts in the inspection routine whenever the tire is serviced.

A 1934 Packard 12 Cyl. would have been fitted in period with bias-ply tires, because radial construction was not the standard passenger-car fitment in that era. Within the available 1934 Packard range, the Twelve uses 750-17, which aligns with the larger senior-car application shown for the model. That means a modern restoration seeking the correct overall look should stay with a 750-17 bias-ply tire rather than substituting a later-style construction or a smaller Eight-cylinder size.

Owners pursuing strict authenticity should still confirm body-style and market nuances through Packard club references, factory literature, and period photography. Original brand fitment could vary by dealer practice and supply conditions, so the safest authenticity benchmark is usually correct size, correct construction type, and an era-appropriate sidewall treatment. Those details tend to matter more in judging than simply picking the most visually dramatic whitewall.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1934 Packard. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts will notice whether the car wears the proper size for its model family, whether the construction matches the period, and whether the sidewall style looks appropriate for a mid-1930s luxury car. A 700-17 on a Twelve, a 750-17 on an Eight, or a visibly later-style construction would all stand out as incorrect to an informed audience.

The practical takeaway is to treat tires as part of the restoration, not an accessory added at the end. Sidewall style should support the car's trim level, body style, and presentation, while the size should match the exact Packard model line. Event-specific judging standards can differ, so marque clubs and concours rule books are the right places to confirm how originality is interpreted for your particular class.

For the 1934 Packard 12 Cyl. in 750-17, Firestone Balloon and BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply differ most clearly in sidewall offerings, listed load figures, weight, and approved wheel width on certain versions. Firestone appears in blackwall and double-whitewall forms, with examples listed at 1870 pounds at 40 psi and 4-inch rim fitment. BFGoodrich appears in blackwall and wide whitewall forms, with one wide whitewall listed at 1646 pounds at 36 psi and a 5.50 to 6.00-inch rim-width range.

That makes the choice less about one being universally better and more about which presentation and wheel pairing suit your Packard. A restorer working with narrower original-style wheels may gravitate toward a tire whose listed fitment aligns more closely with that wheel, while another owner may prefer the visual presence of a wide whitewall if the wheel supports it. Comparing the exact product against the actual rim is especially important in this senior-car size.

1934 Packard tires can be suitable for highway use when they are in good condition, correctly fitted, and properly inflated, but they are bias-ply tires intended to preserve the road feel and character of a prewar automobile. No speed ratings are listed here for the available 700-17 or 750-17 products, so the wiser limit is usually the Packard itself rather than any assumption about modern sustained-speed capability. A large 1934 luxury car has braking, steering, and suspension behavior from a very different era than a modern highway cruiser.

That means safe road use begins with realistic expectations. Short to moderate highway stretches at sensible speeds are a different proposition from extended fast interstate travel in heat, crosswinds, or dense traffic. If your 1934 Packard is mechanically sorted and the tires are fresh and healthy, it can be an enjoyable road car, but it should still be driven with the reserve and planning appropriate to a Classic Era machine.

Inflation pressure on 1934 Packard tires should follow the specific tire's published limits and the Packard's factory guidance rather than a one-number rule for the whole year-make. Listed examples include 700-17 Firestone versions at 1480 pounds at 36 psi, a 700-17 Ensign at 1,901 pounds at 36 psi, a 750-17 BFGoodrich wide whitewall at 1646 pounds at 36 psi, and 750-17 Firestone versions at 1870 pounds at 40 psi. Those figures are not interchangeable between every tire in the range.

Use the original owner's manual or marque reference as the starting point for vehicle-side recommendations, then make sure the tire you choose is being run within its own stated pressure limits. Pressure affects not just wear, but also steering effort, ride quality, and how a bias-ply tire carries a heavy prewar chassis. If you are changing brands or sidewall styles within the same size, recheck the tire's own specifications instead of assuming the previous setting still applies.

Before taking a 1934 Packard on a longer drive, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs of tread or casing separation. Verify inflation on all four tires and the spare, and check the valve stems carefully. Since the car uses large bias-ply tires, also look for anything that suggests the tire has been sitting flat for too long or has begun to lose its shape. A long drive is also the right time to make sure each wheel and tire combination still appears centered and secure.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive routine on a car of this age, but they are the part in direct contact with the road. Once the tires pass inspection, it is wise to approach the rest of the car with the same discipline: brakes, steering, cooling system, and wheel bearings all deserve attention before a serious outing. A well-prepared 1934 Packard is a pleasure on the road, and careful tire inspection is part of that confidence.