The 1968 Aston Martin DBS arrived as a more modern grand touring Aston, blending long-distance comfort with the imposing presence expected of a late-1960s British performance car. Its crisp William Towns-influenced shape and refined cabin gave it a different character from earlier Astons, but tire choice still plays a major role in how the car looks and feels on the road. The 1968 Aston Martin DBS uses a 205R15 radial on a 15-inch rim. Within that size, available choices include both blackwall and wide whitewall presentations from Avon and Phoenix. That makes the main decision less about fitment range and more about selecting the right appearance and tire character for restoration-minded use or regular touring.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1968 Aston Martin DBS
The 1968 Aston Martin DBS uses one primary tire size: 205R15. It is a radial fitment on a 15-inch rim, and the covered DBS 6 sub-model uses the same size, so the main choice is not between multiple fitments but between the available tire styles, brand character, and the kind of presentation you want the car to have.
205R15 is a euro-metric radial size in which 205 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. In this format, the aspect ratio is not stated directly and is commonly associated with a taller traditional radial profile. For the 1968 Aston Martin DBS, this size keeps the fitment centered on a period-appropriate radial look, with available choices including Avon and Phoenix options in blackwall or wide whitewall form and different tire series. The practical decision is choosing the version that best matches your wheel setup, intended road use, and restoration direction.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the covered 1968 Aston Martin DBS range. The DBS 6 uses the same primary tire size, so confirming the exact sub-model is mainly helpful for staying organized rather than sorting through multiple tire-size paths.
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1968 Aston Martin DBS 6
The 1968 Aston Martin DBS 6 uses the same 205R15 radial fitment as the core DBS application. That keeps tire selection focused on choosing the right product style and wheel compatibility rather than sorting between different primary sizes.
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 1968 Aston Martin DBS Tires for Sale
Available 205R15 tires for the 1968 Aston Martin DBS include Avon and Phoenix options in different tire series and sidewall styles. The product grid is most useful for comparing traditional blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, along with construction details and rim-width compatibility where stated.
These 1968 Aston Martin DBS tire FAQs focus on the 205R15 radial fitment, 15-inch rim compatibility, available sidewall and brand choices, restoration-oriented appearance, and the wheel, suspension, and condition checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1968 Aston Martin DBS?
The 1968 Aston Martin DBS uses a 205R15 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model, and the covered DBS 6 sub-model uses the same size rather than a different alternate fitment.
The practical decision is choosing the right 205R15 tire within that size rather than sorting through multiple factory-style sizes. Check that the car still has 15-inch wheels, then compare sidewall style, brand, and any stated rim-width guidance before settling on a tire for touring use or a more restoration-oriented presentation.
What size rim does a 1968 Aston Martin DBS use?
The 1968 Aston Martin DBS uses a 15-inch rim with its 205R15 tire size. That rim diameter matches the tire's size code, where the final 15 designates the wheel diameter in inches.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a collector car that may have seen wheel changes over the years. It is also worth confirming actual wheel width and overall wheel condition before mounting new tires, since tire choice can be affected by the wheel setup currently on the car rather than the original-style specification alone.
Does the 1968 Aston Martin DBS 6 use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1968 Aston Martin DBS 6 uses the same 205R15 radial tire size as the core 1968 Aston Martin DBS application. There is no separate primary tire size shown for that covered sub-model.
That simplifies the search because the focus shifts from identifying a different size to selecting the right tire within the same fitment. Even so, it remains smart to verify the wheels actually on the car, especially if it has been restored or modified, and then choose between available blackwall and wide whitewall styles based on appearance goals.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 205R15 tire for a 1968 Aston Martin DBS?
Start with the correct 205R15 radial size and confirm that the car still uses 15-inch wheels. After that, the main considerations are the visual style you want, the tire series offered in this size, and whether the wheel width matches the tire's stated fitment requirements where those specifications are available.
For a grand touring car like the DBS, appearance and intended use matter as much as the basic size. A blackwall tire keeps the presentation understated, while a wide whitewall creates a more distinctive period-style look. It also helps to compare load information and overall product character so the finished choice suits both the car and how it will be driven.
What sidewall styles are available for 1968 Aston Martin DBS tires?
The available 205R15 tires for the 1968 Aston Martin DBS include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives the car two very different visual directions while staying within the same primary tire size.
Sidewall choice changes the car's appearance far more than many owners expect, especially on a late-1960s grand tourer with a clean body side and prominent wheel openings. A blackwall tends to look more restrained and sporting, while a wide whitewall creates a more formal vintage presentation. The right choice depends on your restoration theme, wheel style, and how original-looking you want the overall stance to feel.
What brands offer tires for the 1968 Aston Martin DBS?
Current 205R15 options for the 1968 Aston Martin DBS include tires from Avon and Phoenix. Both are radial offerings, but they differ in sidewall treatment and tire series, which gives the buyer more than one way to approach the same fitment.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the rest of the specification rather than on name alone. One tire may suit a more understated touring presentation, while another may better match a restoration-oriented visual theme through its sidewall styling. Comparing the exact 205R15 product details helps keep the decision centered on fitment, appearance, and intended use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1968 Aston Martin DBS?
A period-style starting point for a 1968 Aston Martin DBS is the correct 205R15 radial size on the proper 15-inch wheel diameter. From there, the choice comes down to the visual tone you want, since available tires in this size include both a traditional blackwall and a more formal wide whitewall presentation.
For many restorations, the right answer is the tire that complements the car's trim, wheel design, and intended era-specific look without forcing an unsupported originality claim. If exact historical authenticity matters, compare the tire choice against marque-club guidance, period photography, or other vehicle-specific references so the finished DBS looks consistent from wheel to roofline.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1968 Aston Martin DBS?
On the 1968 Aston Martin DBS, the primary fitment is already a radial, so the construction question is less about changing the basic tire type and more about how the chosen tire presents the car. Within 205R15, sidewall style and tire series will have the biggest effect on the finished visual impression.
A restored DBS can look notably different with a blackwall than it does with a wide whitewall, even though both remain within the same radial size. Construction still matters in the sense that the tire should suit the car's touring character and wheel setup, but the appearance decision here is really about selecting the radial style that best matches the restoration's overall intent.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1968 Aston Martin DBS?
Yes. A 1968 Aston Martin DBS may use the correct 205R15 tire size on paper, but aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, or body modifications can change whether a particular tire choice works well on the car in practice.
That is especially important on collector cars that may have been updated over time. Measure the actual wheel diameter and width, look at steering and fender clearance, and inspect for signs of rubbing or limited space at full lock and full suspension movement. Those checks matter even when staying with the correct nominal tire size.
What should I inspect before driving a 1968 Aston Martin DBS on new tires?
Before driving a 1968 Aston Martin DBS on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm proper mounting on the 15-inch rims, and make sure the tires are inflated appropriately for the application. It is also wise to check valve stems, balance, and general tire seating after installation.
Beyond the tires themselves, look over the rest of the car as a complete road-going system. Steering components, suspension bushings, brake condition, and alignment all affect how the DBS feels once fresh tires are installed. A short initial drive followed by a recheck for air loss, rubbing, or vibration helps catch issues before a longer outing.
How should 205R15 tires on a collector 1968 Aston Martin DBS be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 205R15 should be inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and gradual air loss, even when the 1968 Aston Martin DBS is driven infrequently. Long periods of storage can age tires quietly, so condition matters just as much as tread depth on a grand touring car of this era.
Keep the car stored away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment when possible, and check pressures before each drive rather than assuming they have remained stable. It also helps to move the car periodically and watch for changes in ride feel or vibration, since low-use collector vehicles can develop issues that are not obvious at a glance.
