Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Would anyone care to speculate on the width of the whitewalls on the 400 and Caribbean in the photo.

I had read and do recall seeing a photo of a narrow tire at another car show in the Kimes edited book. IIRC, that photo was showing a narrow width installed on just a single 56. Here is another example showing that apparently they were used on more than just the one car and show. 56 Car show

I guess the question I have would be if anyone knows or can interpolate the width. If something modern is available approximating that width, would they be considered more or less correct or were those narrow tires strictly on show cars and not really available.

I like the comment on the photo, about a 68 corvette in the background! My eyes can't find it. I wonder if they were looking at the frame at back?

Based on the width of the tire itself and the proportion of the white stripe to that, I'd say about 3.5".

As I recall, show cars were a time to not only show off your wares, but also to'Test the waters' with a bit of informal marketing research on features/ideas that were in the early stages of development. In '56, manufacturers were looking ahead to the early '60's (recall they were side tracked by Ex's 'Forward look') and had already begun working on those designs, the basic styling themes, including narrower white stripes. So, maybe these were a tantalizing view of tomorrow?
As I recall, the 'Predictor', which was a glimpse into the '57 that was to never be, featured them, too.

I like them, btw..

I like the 3/4 or 1 inch white wall, have them on mine, makes car look sporty montgomery wards 4- for a 100 bucks,

now 200 for a d, tire,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

What was stock size of white wall, 2 3/4 inch?,,,



rik///

I would love to find out the answer to that question too!

What was the regular whitewall width of the tires regularly supplied by Packard? Did they use any particular brand?

Any suggestions as to the closest replacement available today?

Thanks

The first production use of narrow white walls that I recall were on the 1957 Eldorado Brougham. I think those were especially created for that car as they were also low profile. Naturally, in a couple of years they were available to everyone.

I have movie film of my dads brand new 56 pat, and the white walls don't look bigger than 3 inches,

i think Coker tire and another company sells bias tires ,,different white wall sizes,,

but they are pricey,,,

Does anybody know the original bias ply tire's whitewall width? I am not referring to the new for 56 or 57 tires but for the regularly used tires in 55 and 56.

Thanks,

The spare in the trunk of my '55 has a 3 1/4" WW. It's 820 X 15 and looks to be original to the car even though I've no proof of that.