Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Been busy trying to get the Hudson running and am now looking to get tires for my 28. Had the car repainted last winter and can't get the whitewalls clean enough and they make the car look really bad. Also, g-d only know how old they are and the spare won't hold air.

Having a hard time reading the tires (numbers are worn enough on all 5 to make it difficult). Are they 650 20s or 850 20s? The manual says 33x6.00 and since I'm a mechanical moron, I'm very confused.

Also, Coker, Universal or someone else?

Thanks a bunch.

I don't have a reference list handy with the OEM tire sizes but I believe 6.50 x 20 is the original size for a 526. That would make a lot more sense if your current tire said 32 x 6.00 as that would correspond to a 6.00 x 20 inch tire - as you gave it 33 x 6.00 it would be a 21 inch tire which I think unlikely. Are you certain the "manual" says 33 x 6.00 and not 33 x 6.50?

My recommendation for these older sizes would always be to try Universal tire first, I believe Coker only has Excelsior racing tires in this size but don't trust my memory.

In the older sizing nomenclature like 6.50 x 33, you double the first number and subtract from the second to get the size in the newer sizing format. Thus 6.50 x 2 = 13 subtracted from 33 gives you 20, thus a 6.50 x 20 tire.

Stu,

Confirming what OD said, my original 526 & 533 operation and care manual calls for 32 x 6.00. My car has 6.00/6.50-20s, and since you mentioned whitewalls, I believe these are likely what you're after:

https://www.universaltire.com/lester-tires/lester-bias-ply-tires/600-650-20-lester-4-inch-whitewall.html

Good luck getting a hold of a set though! Every time I check on them, it seems the availability date has been pushed further out. Mine don't sound as bad off as yours, but they're hard and showing the first signs of dry-rot, so I've been keeping my eye on that page.

I wonder if the unavailability of that tire from Lester is particular to that size or a larger problem with Lesters in general? About 2 years ago I inquired about a replacement set of 7:00 x 17 Lesters and was told they had lost their manufacturing site in the U.S. and hadn't yet found an overseas facility to make the Lester brand. Fortunately I have more choices with my size than you do.

Replaced my 1928 526 tires with the following:
www.universaltire.com/600-20-us-royal-blackwall.html

They are rated as truck tires but have the high weight rating needed for the heavy Packard sedans.

Thanks for the replies.

Will double check the manual next time I'm at the car. Having a problem opening the links; could you guys please email them to me at classic lincoln at comcast dot net?

Thanks!

OK, checked the manual again and it says 32x600 tires. Called a few places and was told that the original tires were 600s, but it's OK to use 650s. I guess the slightly thicker tire is not bad.

The car currently has Denman 650s on them. I can get a set of them or a set of Firestone 600s. So....what brand originally came on the car?

So....what brand originally came on the car?

No specific brand, Packard like most all manufacturers bought from several major tire makers; for those years in the late 20s and early 30s where they mention it they bought from Firestone, Goodyear, Goodrich and U.S. (later U.S. Royal). Denman was an aftermarket tire supplier, not a OEM tire supplier.

Great, thanks!