The 1972 Ferrari 246 sits in a special place among early modern sports cars, blending compact mid-engine Ferrari character with the lighter, more intimate feel that makes the Dino-era cars so appealing today. Tire choice matters on a car like this because the chassis response and visual stance are closely tied to the correct fitment. The 1972 Ferrari 246 uses a 205/70R14 radial tire on a 14-inch rim. Within that size, choices range from blackwall and raised white letter styles to redline, dual-redline, narrow whitewall, and the Michelin XWX series. The key decision is balancing period-style appearance, intended road use, and wheel compatibility on the car as it sits today.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1972 Ferrari 246
The 1972 Ferrari 246 uses one primary tire size: 205/70R14 radial on a 14-inch rim. The 246 GT/S shares that fitment, so the main decision is not which primary size fits, but which version of that size best suits the car's intended look, driving use, and wheel setup.
In 205/70R14, the 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. That makes it a modern metric radial format that suits the 1972 Ferrari 246's primary fitment. Within this size, there is meaningful variety in both presentation and series, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, raised white letter, redline, and dual-redline options from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. Choosing among them comes down to whether the goal is a more understated touring appearance, a sportier period-style look, or a restoration-oriented visual balance.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1972 Ferrari 246 sub-models. The shared tire size keeps the sizing decision simple, so attention can shift to sidewall style, tire series, and confirming wheel compatibility before selection.
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1972 Ferrari 246 GT/S
The 1972 Ferrari 246 GT/S uses the same 205/70R14 radial fitment as the core model. That gives the owner room to choose between more traditional blackwall styling and appearance-focused options such as redline, dual-redline, narrow whitewall, or raised white letter within the correct size.
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 1972 Ferrari 246 Tires for Sale
Available 205/70R14 options for the 1972 Ferrari 246 span Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin, with distinctions in tire series, sidewall presentation, and rim-width compatibility. Buyers can compare blackwall, narrow whitewall, RWL, redline, and dual-redline choices within the same primary radial size.
Common 1972 Ferrari 246 tire questions usually center on the 205/70R14 fitment, 14-inch wheel compatibility, sidewall and series choices, and what to inspect before putting a collector Ferrari back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1972 Ferrari 246?
The 1972 Ferrari 246 uses a 205/70R14 radial tire. That size is the primary fitment for this model and it mounts on a 14-inch wheel.
Because there is one primary size, the selection process is mostly about choosing the right version of 205/70R14 rather than sorting through multiple fitments. It is still smart to confirm the actual wheel setup on the car, especially if it has been restored or modified over the years, and to compare rim width, sidewall style, and intended use before making a final choice.
What size rim does a 1972 Ferrari 246 use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1972 Ferrari 246 is built around a 14-inch rim. The 205/70R14 size confirms that wheel diameter directly, since the final number in the size code represents the rim diameter in inches.
Wheel diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so it helps to verify wheel width as well before choosing among available tires. Some 205/70R14 options are suited to a 5.00 to 7.00-inch rim, while others call for 5.50 to 7.50 inches, making wheel-width confirmation important when comparing product choices.
Does the 1972 Ferrari 246 GT/S use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1972 Ferrari 246 GT/S uses the same 205/70R14 radial tire size as the core 1972 Ferrari 246 fitment.
That shared sizing simplifies the search because the question is not about changing sizes between sub-models. The more useful comparison is among the available 205/70R14 tires themselves, including differences in sidewall treatment, tire series, and rim-width range, along with checking that the car still has the correct 14-inch wheel setup and adequate clearance.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 205/70R14 tire for a 1972 Ferrari 246?
Start with the confirmed primary fitment, which is 205/70R14 radial on a 14-inch rim. From there, the meaningful differences are the tire series, sidewall appearance, and wheel-width range tied to the specific tire being considered.
A 1972 Ferrari 246 can wear this size in several very different visual styles, from blackwall to redline, dual-redline, narrow whitewall, or raised white letter. Matching the tire to the car's presentation matters, but so does checking the actual wheel width, general condition of the suspension and steering, and whether the car is being prepared for show-focused use or regular road driving.
What sidewall styles are available for 1972 Ferrari 246 tires?
The 1972 Ferrari 246 has several sidewall presentations available in 205/70R14, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, raised white letter, redline, and dual-redline. Those options all share the same primary size, but they create very different visual effects on the car.
Choosing the sidewall is largely an appearance decision once the correct size is confirmed. A blackwall or Michelin XWX-style presentation tends to keep the look understated, while redline, dual-redline, whitewall, or RWL treatments make the tire more visually prominent, so it helps to consider the car's restoration theme, wheel style, and how closely the finished look should reflect the era.
What brands offer tires for the 1972 Ferrari 246?
205/70R14 tires for the 1972 Ferrari 246 are available from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. Those brands cover a range of tire series and visual treatments within the same primary radial fitment.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It is worth comparing which series each brand offers, whether the sidewall style suits the car, and whether the tire's rim-width range matches the wheels currently on the vehicle. That approach keeps the decision focused on fitment and presentation rather than treating every 205/70R14 tire as exactly the same.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1972 Ferrari 246?
A period-style 1972 Ferrari 246 usually starts with staying in the correct 205/70R14 radial size and then choosing the visual treatment that best suits the car. Blackwall, redline, dual-redline, narrow whitewall, and Michelin XWX-style offerings each create a different era-appropriate impression.
The best choice depends on whether the car is being presented as a restrained road car, a restoration-oriented show vehicle, or a more personalized vintage sports car. Exact originality questions should be checked against Ferrari-specific historical references and marque expertise, while wheel width and overall vehicle setup still need to be confirmed before settling on one tire.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1972 Ferrari 246?
On the 1972 Ferrari 246, the primary fitment is already radial, so the appearance question is less about choosing between bias-ply and radial construction and more about selecting the right radial presentation. In this size, sidewall design and tire series shape the car's visual character more than construction changes do.
That means details such as blackwall versus redline or dual-redline can noticeably influence how authentic, understated, or expressive the finished car appears. A restoration-oriented owner should also pay attention to wheel width and stance, since even the right size can look out of place if the wheel setup or overall ride height has been altered from the car's intended presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1972 Ferrari 246?
Yes. Even though the primary fitment is 205/70R14, wheel, suspension, or body changes can alter how that size sits on the car. A different wheel width, offset, ride height, or steering-stop setting can all affect clearance and overall fitment behavior.
That is why the actual car should be checked before choosing among available tires, especially on a collector vehicle that may have changed over time. Looking at wheel dimensions, suspension condition, fender clearance, and steering travel helps prevent choosing a tire based only on size code without considering how the current setup may differ from stock.
What should I inspect before driving a 1972 Ferrari 246 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, make sure the tires are mounted and inflated properly, and check that there is no rubbing at lock or through suspension travel. The basic mechanical condition around the tires matters too, including steering and suspension components.
A collector Ferrari often spends time parked, so it is also wise to look over the brake system, wheel hardware, and general tire condition after installation. A careful shakedown drive can reveal vibration, pull, or clearance concerns early, allowing any fitment issue to be addressed before committing the car to longer runs.
How should 205/70R14 tires on a collector 1972 Ferrari 246 be maintained?
Collector-car tires benefit from regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and clean storage conditions even when the car is not being driven often. On a 1972 Ferrari 246, the 205/70R14 tires should be watched for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and gradual air loss over time.
Long periods of inactivity can be harder on tires than steady use, so occasional movement, proper inflation, and protection from heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources are all worthwhile. Before any extended drive, confirm that the tires still look sound and that the car rolls smoothly, steers cleanly, and shows no signs of age-related tire deterioration.
