The 1962 Ferrari Super America sits at the very top of Ferrari's early grand touring world, combining bespoke coachbuilt presence with the kind of high-speed road character expected from Maranello in the early 1960s. It is a collector car where proportions, stance, and authenticity all matter, and tire choice has a visible effect on both appearance and drivability. The 1962 Ferrari Super America uses a 6.50-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim. That keeps the focus on selecting the right period-style bias-ply presentation rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments. For restoration-minded ownership and careful road use, wheel condition, tire age, and overall fitment should all be checked before the car returns to service.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1962 Ferrari Super America
The 1962 Ferrari Super America uses one primary tire size: 6.50-15. This is a bias-ply fitment for a 15-inch rim, and the same size applies to the covered Base sub-model, so the main decision is choosing a tire that suits the car's intended presentation, road use, and restoration direction rather than sorting between multiple factory sizes.
In the 6.50-15 size, the 6.50 indicates a nominal section width of about 6.5 inches, while the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. This is a traditional numeric bias-ply format, which suits the original era and visual character of a 1962 Ferrari Super America. Buyers familiar only with modern metric sizing should recognize that this older designation follows a different convention and is tied closely to period-style fitment. Choosing this size means focusing on maintaining the proper vintage look and verifying that the wheel itself remains correct in diameter and suitable in condition for continued use.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1962 Ferrari Super America sub-models. The Base model uses the same primary tire size, which simplifies selection and shifts attention toward construction style, wheel condition, and the overall appearance you want the car to present.
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1962 Ferrari Super America Base
The 1962 Ferrari Super America Base uses the 6.50-15 bias-ply tire size on a 15-inch rim. That makes tire selection more about choosing a proper period-style replacement and confirming the existing wheels are the correct diameter and in sound condition before the car goes back on the road.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
These 1962 Ferrari Super America tire FAQs focus on the 6.50-15 fitment, 15-inch rim compatibility, bias-ply construction, restoration-minded selection, and the checks that matter before putting a low-production grand touring Ferrari back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1962 Ferrari Super America?
The 1962 Ferrari Super America uses a 6.50-15 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment, and it is the primary size associated with the model for this year. The covered Base sub-model uses the same size, so there is no second primary size to sort through here.
That makes the real choice less about size and more about selecting the right type of 6.50-15 tire for the car's purpose. On a restoration-minded grand tourer like the Super America, it is wise to confirm the wheel diameter, inspect wheel condition, and make sure the current setup has not been altered before mounting new tires.
What size rim does a 1962 Ferrari Super America use?
The 1962 Ferrari Super America uses a 15-inch rim with its 6.50-15 tire fitment. In this older numeric sizing format, the last number in the tire size identifies the wheel diameter in inches, so the 15 is the key rim-size reference for the car's primary tire setup.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture on a collector Ferrari. The wheel should also be checked for overall condition, correct construction for the tire being used, and any prior modifications or replacements. Even when the diameter matches, an altered wheel or non-original setup can change how a new tire seats, clears, and presents on the car.
What does 6.50-15 mean on a 1962 Ferrari Super America?
On a 1962 Ferrari Super America, 6.50-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply tire size. The 6.50 refers to a nominal section width of about 6.5 inches, and the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It does not follow the same sizing logic as a modern metric radial such as 205/70R15.
Understanding that older format helps avoid comparing it too casually with modern sizes. The Super America's tire decision stays rooted in preserving the correct vintage scale and construction style for the car. Any substitution should be evaluated carefully against the wheel, the car's available clearance, and the visual result you want from a high-end early 1960s GT.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 6.50-15 tire for a 1962 Ferrari Super America?
Start with the correct primary size, which is 6.50-15, and keep the car's original-era bias-ply construction in mind. On a 1962 Ferrari Super America, the right tire choice is usually shaped by the balance between period-style appearance, the way the car will be used, and the condition and correctness of the existing 15-inch wheels.
A car intended mainly for display and careful touring may call for a different emphasis than one seeing more regular road miles, even within the same size. It also helps to inspect the wheels, suspension, and surrounding clearances before installation, especially on a valuable coachbuilt Ferrari where stance, proportions, and visual authenticity are part of the ownership experience.
How do I choose between available 6.50-15 tires for a 1962 Ferrari Super America?
The first step is staying with the correct 6.50-15 size and matching the tire to the car's intended presentation. Since the Super America uses a single primary fitment, the comparison usually comes down to overall period-style character, how restoration-oriented the car is, and whether the tire suits careful road use or mostly event and display duty.
A useful way to narrow the choice is to look at the car as a whole rather than treating the tire as an isolated part. Wheel finish, ride height, body proportions, and the level of originality being pursued all influence which 6.50-15 option looks most appropriate. Tire age, wheel condition, and the car's actual use should guide the final decision.
Why is staying with the correct tire size important on a 1962 Ferrari Super America?
Staying with the correct 6.50-15 size helps preserve the stance, proportions, and vintage character expected of a 1962 Ferrari Super America. On a car of this caliber, tire dimensions affect more than road manners alone; they also influence how the wheel openings are filled and how authentic the overall presentation feels.
Using a different size without careful verification can introduce unwanted changes in appearance or create clearance concerns around the body, steering, or suspension. Even if a substitute seems close on paper, it should be checked against the actual wheels and the condition of the chassis setup. Collector cars reward careful fitment decisions more than casual experimentation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1962 Ferrari Super America?
A period-style 1962 Ferrari Super America begins with the correct primary size, 6.50-15, in a bias-ply construction. That sizing format matches the car's era and helps maintain the tall, refined visual balance expected of an early 1960s Ferrari grand tourer. For many owners, that is the right starting point for a restoration-minded presentation.
The final choice depends on how closely the car is being restored and how it will be used once finished. When exact historical appearance matters, it is smart to compare the tire choice with marque-club guidance, period photography, and vehicle-specific documentation. Even within the correct size, the goal should be a tire that complements the car's coachbuilt character.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1962 Ferrari Super America restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1962 Ferrari Super America because the car's proportions are such a visible part of its appeal. The proper 6.50-15 size supports the right scale at the wheel opening and helps the car sit with the restrained, elegant look expected from a high-level Ferrari restoration.
Restoration quality is often judged by details that seem small until they are wrong, and tires fall squarely into that category. A size or construction that looks out of character can distract from otherwise excellent body, paint, and trim work. Matching the tire choice to the car's period and intended finish standard is part of getting the whole presentation right.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1962 Ferrari Super America?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1962 Ferrari Super America even when the correct primary size is 6.50-15. Changes to wheels, suspension height, brake components, alignment settings, or bodywork can alter clearance and the way a tire sits within the fender opening. That matters on a low-volume coachbuilt car where tolerances and appearance are both important.
Any Super America with replacement wheels or chassis changes should be measured carefully before new tires are installed. Checking wheel diameter is only the beginning; steering travel, suspension movement, and body clearance all deserve attention as well. A modification made years ago can easily affect fitment today, especially on a car that has seen restoration work over time.
What should I inspect before driving a 1962 Ferrari Super America on new tires?
Before driving a 1962 Ferrari Super America on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition, make sure the 15-inch diameter setup is correct, and confirm that the tires are mounted and inflated properly. It is also wise to look over the suspension, steering components, and alignment, since long-stored collector cars can develop issues that are not obvious at a glance.
A short, careful road test is a sensible next step after installation. Pay attention to vibration, pulling, unusual noise, or any sign of rubbing during low-speed turning and normal suspension movement. Since many collector Ferraris spend long periods parked, it is equally important to watch for air loss and recheck the tires after the first few drives.
How should 6.50-15 tires on a collector 1962 Ferrari Super America be maintained?
6.50-15 tires on a collector 1962 Ferrari Super America should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Even when tread wear is minimal, low-use vintage cars can develop age-related issues such as sidewall cracking, flat spotting, bulges, or slow air loss. Collector use does not eliminate the need for routine attention.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on a car like this. Keeping the Ferrari away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, standing moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires between drives. It also helps to inspect the tires before each outing and after extended storage, since a beautifully restored car still depends on tire condition for safe road use.
