1946 Packard Tire Fitment Guide

1946 Packard vehicles in this guide use two tire sizes: 6.50-15 and 700-15. Both sizes apply to the 1946 Packard Clipper, and both are bias-ply sizes built for 15-inch wheels. For 700-15, the available products shown here fit 15-inch rims and specify a 5.00 to 5.50 inch rim width range.

That means the first step is not choosing between different Packard models, but confirming which of the two sizes belongs on your Clipper. If your car is being restored, compare the existing wheels, any surviving tire markings, and factory literature or marque-club guidance before deciding whether 6.50-15 or 700-15 is the better match.

On a 1946 Packard tire, 6.50-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.50 portion is the nominal section width in inches, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is an older American sizing convention used before modern metric radial descriptions became standard.

For a 1946 Packard owner, that code tells you the tire is meant for a 15-inch wheel and that it belongs to the period-correct bias-ply family of sizes. It does not automatically make it interchangeable with every other 15-inch tire, so you still want to confirm the exact original size used on your Clipper before choosing a replacement.

Within this 1946 Packard fitment group, only the Packard Clipper appears, and it uses two sizes rather than one universal fitment across a broader Packard range. Those sizes are 6.50-15 and 700-15, both in bias-ply construction and both for 15-inch wheels. The distinction is size selection within the Clipper line, not a split between separate Packard model families here.

That gives you a useful shortcut: once you know you have a 1946 Packard Clipper, the fitment question narrows to confirming the proper tire size rather than sorting through multiple model lines. A careful owner should verify the wheel, the existing tire size if the car still wears an older set, and restoration goals before moving ahead.

Both 6.50-15 and 700-15 are period-style bias-ply sizes used on the 1946 Packard Clipper, so the choice is not about bias-ply versus radial behavior. The real question is which original size your specific car should wear. Both mount on 15-inch wheels, but they are different numeric sizes and should not be treated as the same fitment simply because the rim diameter matches.

Owners pursuing authenticity should match the size used on their particular Clipper configuration and wheel. Owners focused on appearance should also consider how the car sits with one size versus the other, especially if the goal is a factory-correct stance. Existing wheel markings, surviving period paperwork, and Packard specialist guidance are the best ways to settle the choice.

1946 Packard tires in 700-15 are available in both blackwall and wide whitewall form. Firestone and BFGoodrich offer wide whitewall versions in that size, while Firestone and STA also appear in blackwall form. That gives 1946 Packard owners a choice between a cleaner, more understated blackwall look and the more formal whitewall appearance often associated with postwar American luxury cars.

For a 1946 Packard restoration, sidewall style can change the visual character of the car almost as much as the size itself. A wide whitewall usually aligns with the elegant period presentation many owners want on a Clipper, while blackwall can suit a more restrained appearance or a specialized use case. Match the sidewall style to the car's intended presentation, not just the wheel diameter.

The 700-15 size for 1946 Packard vehicles is available from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. Firestone and BFGoodrich appear in both heritage-minded branding and classic sidewall presentations that suit a postwar Packard, while STA also offers a blackwall bias-ply option in the same size. All of the listed 700-15 options remain within the bias-ply construction family used by the car in period.

Brand choice on a 1946 Packard usually comes down to the look you want and the exact product character that fits your project. Some owners prioritize a recognizable period-style brand name, while others focus first on sidewall treatment or intended use. Once the correct size is confirmed, comparing brands within that size is the right next step.

For 1946 Packard tires in 700-15, the available products shown here specify a rim width range of 5.00 to 5.50 inches on a 15-inch wheel. That provides a concrete fitment range for that size. The two Packard sizes used here share the same 15-inch rim diameter, but the published rim width range is specifically established for the 700-15 products.

Before mounting a new set, confirm the actual wheel dimensions on your car rather than assuming every 15-inch Packard wheel is identical. A correct rim diameter alone does not answer every setup question. If the car has replacement wheels, restored originals, or a long service history, measuring the wheel is a smart step before final tire selection.

The available 700-15 products listed for 1946 Packard do not carry tube-type or tubeless markings in the size description, so tube requirements should be confirmed against the individual tire's sidewall marking and the wheel itself. On a car of this era, wheel design often matters as much as the tire specification. Many collectors treat tube fitment as a wheel-and-tire combination question rather than a one-line size rule.

That matters because a 1946 Packard may still wear original-style wheels, restored stock wheels, or later replacements. Before final installation, check whether your chosen tire is intended for tube use, whether the wheel is suited for tubeless service, and whether the valve-stem arrangement matches the setup. A Packard specialist or experienced vintage tire installer can help confirm the combination.

Both tire sizes used on the 1946 Packard Clipper, 6.50-15 and 700-15, are built for 15-inch wheels. That means the original wheel diameter is shared between the two sizes. For 700-15, the listed products fit rims in the 5.00 to 5.50 inch width range, which gives a useful checkpoint when evaluating an original wheel.

Shared rim diameter does not automatically settle every fitment question, especially on a car that may have had wheel changes over the decades. If your Packard still has its original wheels, inspect the wheel width and condition before deciding between the two sizes. Diameter compatibility is the starting point; wheel width and correct original application finish the job.

A 1946 Packard should be stored away from direct sunlight, standing water, and ozone-producing equipment such as electric motors, welders, and some battery chargers. Bias-ply tires also tend to develop flat-spotting more readily during long static storage than a modern radial. Keeping the car in a cool, dry, dark environment helps protect both the sidewalls and the casing over time.

For a collector Clipper, proper storage means checking inflation periodically, moving the car occasionally to change the tire contact patch, or supporting it appropriately during extended layups. Clean floors, stable temperatures, and avoidance of petroleum contamination all help. Good storage habits matter just as much for a lightly driven Packard as careful driving does once it returns to the road.

On a 1946 Packard, tire age is usually more important than mileage because many collector cars are driven infrequently. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires closely at about five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if tread depth still looks acceptable. The DOT date code is the starting point for that age check on modern production tires.

That approach is especially important on a postwar Packard that may spend long periods parked between outings. Rubber hardens, sidewalls age, and internal materials change over time whether the car is driven or not. If your Clipper sees only occasional use, schedule tire replacement by age and condition rather than waiting for mileage alone to dictate the decision.

Tires on a 1946 Packard should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer tour or event. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and pressure loss, and make sure the spare is in the same general condition as the road tires. On an older collector car, small warning signs can become much more important once highway heat and speed are added.

Regular inspections are part of basic stewardship for a Packard that may sit for stretches and then return to service. Include the valve stems and wheel condition in the routine, and pay close attention after the car has been stored for a season. A few minutes of checking before departure can prevent a roadside problem and preserve confidence in the car.

The 1946 Packard Clipper used bias-ply tires, which aligns with normal American passenger-car practice for the immediate postwar period. In this fitment group, the Clipper uses 6.50-15 and 700-15, both numeric bias-ply sizes for 15-inch wheels. No original equipment brand should be assumed from that alone, because original supplier choice could vary by market, production period, or surviving documentation.

For restoration work, the important starting point is matching the car to the correct size and bias-ply construction before worrying about finer details. From there, sidewall style and brand presentation can shape how authentic the finished car appears. If you are restoring for judged competition, Packard club resources and period literature are the best places to confirm market-specific expectations.

Correct tire fitment matters on a 1946 Packard because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, and sidewall treatment quickly. A Clipper shown with a period-appropriate bias-ply size and era-suitable sidewall appearance will usually look more convincing than one wearing a visibly mismatched modern interpretation. On a postwar luxury car, tire presence contributes heavily to stance and authenticity.

For show use, the goal is to align the tire with the car's original character, not simply to fill the wheel opening. A whitewall width, blackwall presentation, or incorrect size can change the car's visual balance. Event rules vary, so owners aiming for high-level judging should compare their intended tire choice with marque-club standards before finalizing the setup.

For the 1946 Packard in 700-15, both Firestone and BFGoodrich offer classic bias-ply tires with wide whitewall versions. The listed Firestone 4.125 inch whitewall and BFGoodrich 4.125 inch whitewall both carry a maximum load of 1700 pounds at 32 psi and fit 15-inch rims in the 5.00 to 5.50 inch width range. The Firestone example is listed at 29 pounds, while the BFGoodrich example is listed at 28 pounds.

That means the practical difference between the two is more about brand identity and fine details of presentation than a major change in basic fitment. Either keeps the Clipper in the correct bias-ply category and preserves the wide whitewall look many restorers want. If you are choosing for judged authenticity, compare branding and sidewall appearance against your restoration target.

1946 Packard tires can be suitable for highway use when they are the correct size, properly mounted, in sound condition, and used within the tire's and vehicle's limits. The 700-15 products shown here are bias-ply tires, and no speed rating markings are provided in the listed size descriptions. On a car of this era, the overall mechanical condition of brakes, steering, suspension, and wheel bearings is often just as important as the tire itself.

For a postwar Packard, highway confidence comes from treating the car as a complete system rather than isolating the tire from the rest of the chassis. Freshly inspected tires, correct inflation, and stable wheel condition matter, but so does realistic speed for the car's age and design. A careful pre-drive inspection is the right habit before sustained road use.

For 1946 Packard tires in 700-15, several listed products carry a maximum load of 1700 pounds at 32 psi. That figure is a tire rating reference, not automatically the same thing as the vehicle's recommended operating pressure. Inflation for a Packard should ultimately follow the vehicle's factory guidance when available, while remaining consistent with the tire manufacturer's limits for the specific product you choose.

The best approach is to avoid transferring one pressure figure casually from one size to another or from one product family to the next. Check the owner's literature for the car, inspect the sidewall marking on the actual tire, and set pressure with the intended use in mind. A lightly driven collector Packard and a car headed for a tour may need different attention to cold-pressure maintenance.

Before a longer drive in a 1946 Packard, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and proper cold inflation. Check the spare as well, because a period-size replacement may be harder to source on the road than a modern everyday tire. Wheel condition, valve stems, and secure mounting should be part of the same inspection.

A Packard of this age also deserves a broader mechanical walk-around before touring, including brakes, cooling system, steering response, and fluid condition. The tire check is one piece of that larger routine, but it is a critical one because a collector car may look fine at rest while showing age-related issues once heat and distance build. Preparation is the difference between a pleasant drive and an interrupted one.