The 1973 Ferrari 246 sits at a distinctive point in Ferrari history, blending compact Dino-era proportions with the kind of responsive road manners that make tire choice especially important. On a car valued as much for balance and feel as for appearance, the right fitment matters well beyond simple rim diameter. The 1973 Ferrari 246 uses a 205/70R14 radial tire, giving owners a single primary size to focus on. Within that size, choices range from blackwall and narrow whitewall styles to redline, dual-redline, and raised white letter presentations across several well-known tire series. The real decision is matching the tire to the car's intended look, use, and wheel setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1973 Ferrari 246
The 1973 Ferrari 246 uses one primary tire size: 205/70R14. It is a radial fitment on a 14-inch rim, and the covered GT/S sub-model uses that same size, so the main choice is not between multiple primary sizes but between available tire series, sidewall treatments, and the overall character you want from the car.
In 205/70R14, the 205 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. That makes it a modern metric radial format suited to the Ferrari 246's primary fitment rather than an older bias-ply sizing system. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Michelin products, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, redline, dual-redline, and raised white letter sidewall treatments. Selecting among them comes down to the appearance you want, the rim-width range of your wheels, and how closely the tire suits the car's intended road use.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1973 Ferrari 246 sub-model. The GT/S uses the same primary tire size, so selection is less about identifying a different fitment and more about choosing the right radial tire style, series, and wheel-compatible specification.
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1973 Ferrari 246 GT/S
The 1973 Ferrari 246 GT/S uses the same 205/70R14 radial fitment as the model core. That keeps sizing simple and shifts the decision toward sidewall appearance, tire series, and confirming that the wheel width on the car falls within the tire's intended range.
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 1973 Ferrari 246 Tires for Sale
Available 205/70R14 choices include Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin offerings in series such as Classic Whitewall MA-1, Radial TA, Silvertown Radial, and Michelin XWX. Sidewall treatments range from blackwall and narrow whitewall to redline, dual-redline, and raised white letter styling.
Owners researching 1973 Ferrari 246 tires usually want clarity on the 205/70R14 fitment, 14-inch wheel compatibility, sidewall and brand choices, and what to inspect before putting a collector Ferrari back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1973 Ferrari 246?
The 1973 Ferrari 246 uses a 205/70R14 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model, and the covered 246 GT/S sub-model uses the same size, which keeps the basic size question fairly simple for most owners.
What still needs attention is the actual wheel on the car. A 14-inch rim is required, and wheel width should be checked against the tire being considered because available 205/70R14 products do not all share the same rim-width range. Cars with replacement wheels or long-ago modifications deserve an extra clearance and wheel-spec check before final tire selection.
What size rim does a 1973 Ferrari 246 use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1973 Ferrari 246 is built around a 14-inch rim. That matches the 205/70R14 size designation, where the final number identifies the wheel diameter in inches for the tire.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so wheel width should also be confirmed before choosing among available tires. Some 205/70R14 options are intended for 5.00 to 7.00-inch rims, while others are intended for 5.50 to 7.50-inch rims. Checking the actual wheel on the car helps avoid choosing a tire that suits the size code but not the wheel specification.
Does the 1973 Ferrari 246 GT/S use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1973 Ferrari 246 GT/S uses the same 205/70R14 radial tire size as the model core. That means there is no separate primary tire size to sort out between the standard model listing and the GT/S sub-model.
Even with shared sizing, tire choice can still vary depending on the car's current setup and the owner's goals. A GT/S aimed at a traditional appearance may lean toward blackwall or redline styling, while another may prioritize a different look. Verifying wheel width and making sure the tire's rim-range specification matches the actual wheel remains an important final step.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 205/70R14 tire for a 1973 Ferrari 246?
Start with the core fitment details: 205/70R14 size, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim. From there, the important differences are the tire series, sidewall style, rim-width range, and whether the tire's overall character fits the way the Ferrari 246 is used and presented.
Some owners want a more understated blackwall look, while others prefer redline, dual-redline, narrow whitewall, or raised white letter styling. It also helps to compare product details such as load specification where stated and wheel-width compatibility, especially on a collector car that may no longer be running its original wheel setup.
What sidewall styles are available for 1973 Ferrari 246 tires?
The 1973 Ferrari 246 has 205/70R14 tire options with several distinct sidewall treatments. Available styles include blackwall, narrow whitewall, redline, dual-redline, and RWL, which is raised white letter styling.
That variety makes appearance a major part of the buying decision. A blackwall tire tends to deliver the most restrained presentation, while redline or dual-redline adds a stronger vintage performance flavor, and narrow whitewall creates a different period-style look. Sidewall style does not override fitment, so the chosen tire still needs to match the car's wheel dimensions and intended use.
What brands offer tires for the 1973 Ferrari 246?
Available 205/70R14 tires for the 1973 Ferrari 246 include options from BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Michelin. Those brands appear across different tire series and sidewall presentations, giving owners several ways to approach the same core size.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the tire's specific series, sidewall style, and wheel-width range rather than by brand name alone. For example, one tire may offer a traditional blackwall presentation, another a narrow whitewall, and another a redline or raised white letter look. Matching those details to the car matters more than treating all 205/70R14 products as interchangeable.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1973 Ferrari 246?
A period-style 1973 Ferrari 246 usually starts with the correct primary size, 205/70R14, and then narrows the decision by visual character. Blackwall, redline, dual-redline, and narrow whitewall options are all available in this size, so the appearance can be tailored without leaving the proper fitment family.
The right choice depends on whether the goal is a restrained road-car presentation or a more assertive vintage performance look. Exact originality should be verified through marque-specific references, period photography, or trusted restoration documentation. Once the look is settled, confirm that the selected tire's intended rim-width range matches the wheels currently on the car.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1973 Ferrari 246?
For the 1973 Ferrari 246, the primary fitment is already radial, so the construction question is less about switching from bias-ply and more about how different radial tires present themselves. In practical terms, the visible difference comes mostly from sidewall treatment and tire series rather than from a bias-ply-versus-radial change.
That means restoration-oriented owners should pay close attention to blackwall, redline, dual-redline, narrow whitewall, or raised white letter styling. Those details shape the car's stance and visual era cues more than the construction label alone. Wheel width and overall fitment still need to be confirmed so the chosen tire supports both the appearance goal and a proper mechanical setup.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1973 Ferrari 246?
Yes. Even though the primary size for a 1973 Ferrari 246 is 205/70R14, fitment can change if the car has aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body modifications that affect clearance at full steering lock or suspension travel.
A modified car should have its actual wheel diameter and width checked before tires are chosen. It is also wise to inspect inner-fender, steering, and suspension clearance rather than relying on the original model fitment alone. That extra step matters on collector cars because decades of ownership often bring wheel swaps or chassis changes that are easy to overlook.
What should I inspect before driving a 1973 Ferrari 246 on new tires?
Before putting a 1973 Ferrari 246 back on the road, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, check that the tires are seated properly, and make sure there are no visible issues such as cuts, bulges, or air loss. Tire pressure should also be set appropriately for the car's use.
A broader road-readiness check is just as important on a lightly used Ferrari. Look over suspension condition, steering components, brake operation, and any signs of rubbing once the car is on the ground and rolled through a full steering sweep. Collector cars often sit for long periods, so a careful inspection helps catch problems before the first longer drive.
How should 205/70R14 tires on a collector 1973 Ferrari 246 be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 205/70R14 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and attention to age and condition even when tread wear looks minimal. A low-mileage 1973 Ferrari 246 can spend long stretches parked, which makes storage conditions and periodic inspection especially important.
Keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources that can accelerate sidewall aging. It also helps to inspect for cracking, flat spotting, and gradual air loss before each driving season and before any extended trip. If the Ferrari has not been driven much recently, a qualified tire professional should evaluate the tires before serious road use.
