The 1958 Maserati 300 belongs to an era when Italian sports-racing machinery combined delicate proportions with serious competition intent, and tire choice remains part of that character today. For an owner or restorer, the stance and feel of the car depend heavily on selecting the right 16-inch fitment. This Maserati 300 uses either a 600-16 bias-ply tire or a 175R16 radial, so the decision is not only about size but also construction. Available choices include traditional blackwall and wide whitewall bias-ply tires across several classic series. The right direction depends on whether the goal is a more period-style presentation, road-use practicality, or a careful balance of both.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1958 Maserati 300
The 1958 Maserati 300 uses two primary tire sizes, and both fit a 16-inch rim. The key first step is confirming whether the car is set up for the 600-16 bias-ply fitment or the 175R16 radial fitment, since construction changes the tire’s character as much as the size itself. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to the kind of appearance and road use you want from the car.
175R16 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 175 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, R designates radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On a 1958 Maserati 300, this size represents the radial fitment choice and gives the car a more modern tire format while staying on the correct 16-inch wheel diameter. Because this is a metric radial size, it appeals to owners who want a more road-oriented setup than a traditional bias-ply presentation. It is worth confirming the actual wheel setup and overall clearance before settling on this construction for a restored or regularly driven car.
600-16 is a numeric bias-ply size, with the leading number indicating an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and the final number identifying a 16-inch rim. For the 1958 Maserati 300, this is the traditional bias-ply fitment and the size with the broadest range of period-style product choices. Available options include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall treatments from brands such as BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Avon, Coker Classic, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Camac across several tire series. This size makes the most sense when the car’s look, stance, and vintage construction are central to the tire decision.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered Maserati 300 S can use the same two 16-inch tire sizes. The important step is confirming whether the car is running the bias-ply 600-16 setup or the radial 175R16 setup before comparing tire choices.
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1958 Maserati 300 S
The 1958 Maserati 300 S uses the same two fitment directions found across this page: 600-16 in bias-ply construction and 175R16 in radial construction. That means the real choice is less about sub-model differences and more about whether the car is being kept in a traditional period-style tire format or set up for radial road use.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1958 Maserati 300 Tires for Sale
Available 600-16 choices span brands including BFGoodrich, Firestone, Goodyear, Avon, Coker Classic, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, STA, and Camac. The product grid is most useful for comparing tire series, blackwall versus whitewall presentation, and rim-width specifications on the bias-ply fitment.
Owners of a 1958 Maserati 300 usually want clarity on the two 16-inch tire sizes, bias-ply versus radial setup, appearance choices within 600-16, and the wheel, clearance, and condition checks that matter before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1958 Maserati 300?
The 1958 Maserati 300 uses two primary tire sizes: 175R16 in radial construction and 600-16 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are built for a 16-inch rim, but they represent different tire formats and different ownership goals for the car.
The right choice depends on how the car is currently set up and what kind of driving or presentation matters most. A car restored around a traditional bias-ply look may point toward 600-16, while a car already configured for radial use may stay with 175R16. Checking the actual wheels on the car before ordering is the smart first step.
What size rim does a 1958 Maserati 300 use?
Both tire sizes used on the 1958 Maserati 300 fit a 16-inch rim. That shared rim diameter is one helpful constant, whether the car is running the 600-16 bias-ply fitment or the 175R16 radial fitment.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture, especially on a vintage sports car. Wheel width should also be checked before choosing among available tires, particularly if the car has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels at some point in its life. Verifying the wheel itself helps avoid choosing the correct diameter but the wrong overall tire setup.
Does the 1958 Maserati 300 S use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1958 Maserati 300 S uses the same two fitment directions as this model grouping: 175R16 in radial construction and 600-16 in bias-ply construction. The sub-model does not introduce a different rim diameter or a separate primary size family.
That makes the selection process simpler, because the deciding factor is the car’s present wheel and tire setup rather than a special sub-model-only fitment. Once that is confirmed, the choice becomes whether to keep a traditional bias-ply presentation or continue with the radial format already associated with the car.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 600-16 tire for a 1958 Maserati 300?
Start with the fact that 600-16 is the bias-ply fitment for the 1958 Maserati 300 and carries the widest product variety. Within that size, choices differ by brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, load specification, weight, and rim-width recommendation.
The best way to narrow the field is to match the tire to the car’s intended use and presentation. A blackwall bias-ply tire gives a restrained competition-style look, while wide whitewall or double-whitewall versions create a much different visual effect. It also helps to confirm that the wheel width on the car aligns with the tire being considered, especially on a specialty European chassis.
What sidewall styles are available for 1958 Maserati 300 tires?
On the 600-16 fitment for the 1958 Maserati 300, available sidewall styles include blackwall, wide whitewall, and double-whitewall. Those options all stay within the same basic bias-ply size, but they change the visual character of the car in a noticeable way.
Sidewall choice should be driven by the look you want rather than by the assumption that one style is universally correct. A blackwall tire tends to suit a more restrained sporting presentation, while whitewall treatments push the car toward a more formal period look. For an appearance-focused restoration, comparing old photos and marque references can help guide the final decision.
What brands offer tires for the 1958 Maserati 300?
The 600-16 fitment for the 1958 Maserati 300 is available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Avon, Firestone, Ford Script, Excelsior, Lester, Goodyear, STA, and Camac. These brands appear across several classic bias-ply and specialty-oriented tire series.
Brand alone is not the only deciding factor on a car like this. It makes more sense to compare the specific tire’s series, sidewall style, rim-width guidance, and overall presentation against the way the Maserati is being restored or driven. That approach keeps the choice centered on fitment and appearance rather than on the name molded into the sidewall.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1958 Maserati 300?
For a period-style 1958 Maserati 300, the 600-16 bias-ply fitment is the natural starting point. It preserves the vintage sizing format and offers the broadest selection of traditional-looking tires, including blackwall and whitewall variations across several classic series.
The final choice depends on how strictly the car is being restored and what visual tone suits the specific build. A more competition-minded presentation may lean toward blackwall, while a more formal restoration might consider whitewall treatments. When exact originality matters, period photos, marque-club guidance, and vehicle-specific history are the best references for narrowing the appearance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1958 Maserati 300?
Tire construction changes more than the way the car drives. On a restored 1958 Maserati 300, a 600-16 bias-ply tire presents the car in a more traditional vintage format, while a 175R16 radial introduces a more modern sizing language and visual character.
That difference matters because collector cars are judged as much by stance and sidewall presence as by paint or trim. A radial setup may suit an owner focused on road use, but it will not present exactly like a bias-ply car. Matching construction to the restoration goal helps keep the finished Maserati visually coherent rather than mixed in period impression.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1958 Maserati 300?
Yes. Even though the 1958 Maserati 300 uses 16-inch tire fitments, changes to wheel width, wheel offset, ride height, suspension parts, or body clearances can alter what works on the car. That matters whether the car is running 600-16 bias-ply tires or 175R16 radials.
A collector car that has been updated over time may no longer match its original wheel and suspension arrangement. Looking closely at steering clearance, fender space, and the actual wheel dimensions on the car is especially important before changing construction type. A careful inspection prevents assuming that a correct size code alone settles the fitment question.
What should I inspect before driving a 1958 Maserati 300 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, tire pressure, bead seating, and visible clearance at the fenders and steering components. On a 1958 Maserati 300, it also makes sense to confirm that all four tires match the intended size and construction rather than mixing a radial setup with a bias-ply setup unintentionally.
A short, careful test drive should follow the installation so any rubbing, pull, vibration, or pressure loss can be caught early. Vintage cars often sit for long periods, so it is wise to recheck pressures and look again for cuts, bulges, or uneven settling after the first heat cycle. That extra attention helps the car return to service more confidently.
How should 600-16 tires on a collector 1958 Maserati 300 be maintained?
600-16 tires on a collector 1958 Maserati 300 should be kept at the proper pressure for the tire in use and inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and air loss. Because many collector cars are driven infrequently, condition and age matter just as much as remaining tread depth.
Storage has a big effect on vintage tires, so the car should be kept away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors. Rolling the car occasionally and checking pressures before each outing also helps protect the casing. Consistent maintenance is especially important on bias-ply tires, which can develop flat-spotting during long storage periods.
