The 1973 Maserati Bora sits at an interesting point in exotic GT history, combining Italian design, mid-engine layout, and long-distance grand touring character in a car that still feels purposeful today. Tire choice matters on a Bora because the stance, road manners, and visual balance of the car all depend on getting the fitment right. The 1973 Maserati Bora uses a 215/70R15 radial tire on a 15-inch rim. Within that size, choices range from blackwall sport-oriented radials to whitewall, redline, and raised white letter presentations across several well-known tire series. The key is matching the tire to the car's intended use, wheel setup, and restoration direction.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1973 Maserati Bora
The 1973 Maserati Bora uses one primary tire size: 215/70R15. It is a radial fitment on a 15-inch rim, and the same size carries across the covered Bora sub-model, so the main decision is not between multiple primary sizes but between the available tire styles, series, and road-use priorities within that size.
215/70R15 is a metric radial size in which 215 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1973 Maserati Bora, this size supports the car's radial-era grand touring character and keeps the fitment centered on a 15-inch wheel. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, pin-white-stripe, redline, and raised white letter treatments from brands such as Michelin, Vredestein, Avon, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Cooper, Maxxis, Travelstar, and Coker Classic. The right selection depends on whether the goal is a more sporting appearance, a traditional presentation, or a restoration-oriented road tire.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1973 Maserati Bora. The covered Bora sub-model uses the same 215/70R15 radial tire size, so the focus stays on choosing the right tire style and specifications rather than sorting through multiple fitments.
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1973 Maserati Bora Base
The 1973 Maserati Bora Base uses the same 215/70R15 radial fitment found across this application. That makes tire selection more about choosing the right sidewall treatment, tire series, and rim-width compatibility for the car's current wheels and intended 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 1973 Maserati Bora Tires for Sale
Available 215/70R15 tires for the 1973 Maserati Bora span blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, pin-white-stripe, redline, and raised white letter styles. Brands include Michelin, Vredestein, Avon, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Cooper, Maxxis, Travelstar, and Coker Classic across several distinct radial tire series.
Common 1973 Maserati Bora tire questions usually come down to the 215/70R15 fitment, 15-inch wheel compatibility, construction and sidewall choices, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era GT back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1973 Maserati Bora?
The 1973 Maserati Bora uses a 215/70R15 tire size. This is a radial fitment, and it is the primary size used for the covered Bora application, including the Base sub-model.
That means the first step is confirming that the car still has the correct 15-inch wheel setup for a 215/70R15 tire. Once size is confirmed, the real choice becomes selecting among the available radial options by sidewall style, tire series, brand, and rim-width suitability for the wheels currently on the car.
What size rim does a 1973 Maserati Bora use?
The 1973 Maserati Bora uses a 15-inch rim with its 215/70R15 tire fitment. The tire size itself confirms the 15-inch wheel diameter, and the available tire options for this application are built around that rim diameter.
Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it also helps to confirm actual wheel width before choosing a specific tire. Many of the available 215/70R15 radials are intended for wheel widths in the mid-5-inch to mid-7-inch range, and a changed wheel package can affect which products are the best match.
Does the 1973 Maserati Bora Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1973 Maserati Bora Base uses the same 215/70R15 radial tire size as the covered Bora application. There is no separate primary size to sort through for that sub-model here.
That keeps the fitment side relatively simple and shifts the decision toward tire character and appearance. A Bora Base owner can compare blackwall sport-touring choices against whitewall, redline, or raised white letter options, while still checking wheel width and overall clearance if the car has been modified from its original wheel and suspension setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 215/70R15 tire for a 1973 Maserati Bora?
Start with the correct 215/70R15 size and confirm that the tire matches the car's 15-inch wheel diameter and actual wheel width. From there, compare construction details, tire series, sidewall style, load figures where stated, and whether the Bora is being set up for road touring, collector use, or a more performance-oriented presentation.
A blackwall radial often suits a more understated sporting look, while whitewall, redline, or raised white letter versions change the visual character immediately. It also helps to compare each tire against the wheels currently on the car, because a Bora with replacement wheels may narrow the field even though the basic 215/70R15 size remains the same.
What sidewall styles are available for 1973 Maserati Bora tires?
The 1973 Maserati Bora has 215/70R15 tire options in several sidewall treatments, including blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, pin-white-stripe, redline, and raised white letter. Those choices give the car a very different visual impression even when the basic tire size stays the same.
A buyer choosing for appearance should think about whether the goal is a restrained GT look, a restoration-oriented presentation, or a more assertive period-inspired style. Sidewall treatment does not replace fitment checks, so the final choice still needs to align with wheel width, intended use, and the way the car sits with its present wheels and suspension.
What brands offer tires for the 1973 Maserati Bora?
215/70R15 tires for the 1973 Maserati Bora are available from Cooper, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, Michelin, Maxxis, Coker Classic, Travelstar, and Vredestein. The assortment includes several tire series and sidewall treatments rather than one uniform type of replacement.
Brand matters mostly as part of the broader selection process, not as a shortcut to the right answer. It is more useful to compare each option by sidewall presentation, series character, rim-width compatibility, and whether the tire suits a sporting blackwall look or a more traditional collector-car appearance on the Bora.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1973 Maserati Bora?
A period-style 1973 Maserati Bora starts with the correct 215/70R15 radial size on a 15-inch wheel. From there, the look can move toward a sport-oriented blackwall presentation or toward a more traditional collector-car appearance using whitewall, pin-white-stripe, or redline variations available in this size.
The right choice depends on how closely the car is being restored and what visual era the owner wants to emphasize. Exact originality claims should be checked against marque-specific historical references, but staying with the correct size and a sidewall treatment that suits the car's design goes a long way toward preserving the Bora's proper stance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1973 Maserati Bora?
On a 1973 Maserati Bora, tire construction is already radial in the primary fitment, so the appearance question is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about the style of the radial itself. In this size, blackwall, whitewall, redline, and raised white letter options can make the same car look distinctly different.
That visual change matters because the Bora's low profile and clean body shape react strongly to sidewall presentation. A buyer focused on restoration should think about whether the car is meant to read as a European GT, a period road car, or a broader collector piece, then choose a radial that supports that overall impression.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1973 Maserati Bora?
Yes. A 1973 Maserati Bora may still use the correct 215/70R15 size, but aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or body modifications can all affect whether a given tire works well on the car. Even small changes can influence clearance and wheel compatibility.
That is why a modified Bora should be checked at the wheel, not just by size code. Confirm the actual wheel width and diameter, then inspect clearance at the fender openings and through steering and suspension travel. Those checks become especially important when comparing tires that share the same nominal size but differ in construction details or section profile.
What should I inspect before driving a 1973 Maserati Bora on new tires?
Before driving a 1973 Maserati Bora on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct 15-inch diameter and sound condition, then make sure the tires are seated properly and inflated to the pressure appropriate for the tire and vehicle setup. It also helps to check for any interference around the suspension and body.
A collector-era GT deserves a broader once-over before serious road use. Look at alignment, brake condition, wheel hardware, and any signs of rubbing after the first few miles. The car should also be checked for uneven ride height or worn suspension parts, since those issues can affect how a fresh set of 215/70R15 tires behaves.
How should 215/70R15 tires on a collector 1973 Maserati Bora be maintained?
215/70R15 tires on a collector 1973 Maserati Bora should be inspected regularly for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, tread wear, cuts, bulges, and signs of aging that may be easy to miss on a low-mileage car. Cars that spend long periods parked often need closer attention than regularly driven vehicles.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage. Keeping the Bora away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition over time. It is also wise to recheck pressures before each outing and give the tires a close visual inspection before longer drives, especially after seasonal storage.
