The 1978 Maserati Bora belongs to a rare period when Italian exotic cars blended supercar looks with grand touring manners and genuine long-distance road capability. Its mid-engine layout and low, purposeful stance make tire choice especially important, because the right size affects both appearance and the way the car sits on its 15-inch wheels. For this model year, the 1978 Maserati Bora uses a 215/70R15 radial tire. That leaves the decision centered on selecting the right radial within that size, whether the goal is a blackwall performance look, a whitewall treatment, or a restoration-oriented presentation. Careful attention to sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and the car's current wheel setup matters before making a final choice.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1978 Maserati Bora
The 1978 Maserati Bora uses one primary tire size: 215/70R15, and it is a radial fitment on a 15-inch rim. The Bora Base uses that same size, so the main decision is not which primary size fits, but which 215/70R15 tire best matches the car's appearance, intended road use, and wheel specifications.
A 215/70R15 size identifies a metric radial tire with a 215-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and fitment for a 15-inch wheel. On the 1978 Maserati Bora, this is the primary radial size and keeps the selection focused on choosing the right tire within a single fitment rather than sorting through multiple factory-type sizes. Available choices in this size include blackwall, RWL, redline, narrow whitewall, pin-white-stripe, and wide whitewall options across series such as Michelin XWX, Dunlop Sport Classic, Vredestein Sprint Classic, and BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial. That makes 215/70R15 the point where appearance, driving character, and wheel compatibility come together.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1978 Maserati Bora. The covered Bora sub-model uses the same primary tire size, so the focus stays on selecting the right 215/70R15 radial rather than sorting through different fitment patterns.
1
1978 Maserati Bora Base
The 1978 Maserati Bora Base uses the same 215/70R15 radial fitment as the core model. That keeps tire selection centered on sidewall style, tire series, and wheel compatibility instead of choosing among multiple 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 1978 Maserati Bora Tires for Sale
Available 215/70R15 choices for the 1978 Maserati Bora span brands including Michelin, Dunlop, Avon, Vredestein, BFGoodrich, Cooper, Maxxis, Travelstar, and Coker Classic. The product grid also shows meaningful variation in sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width specifications within the same radial size.
These FAQs for the 1978 Maserati Bora focus on the 215/70R15 fitment, 15-inch rim requirements, radial tire selection, appearance choices, and the wheel, suspension, and maintenance checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1978 Maserati Bora?
The 1978 Maserati Bora uses a 215/70R15 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model year, and the Bora Base uses the same size, so the search starts with one consistent tire size rather than multiple factory-style options.
Once 215/70R15 is confirmed, the real choice becomes which tire in that size best suits the car. Check the actual wheel diameter and wheel width on the car, especially if it has been changed over the years, then compare sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width compatibility before selecting a tire.
What size rim does a 1978 Maserati Bora use?
The 1978 Maserati Bora uses a 15-inch rim with its 215/70R15 tire size. That 15-inch diameter is the key wheel measurement tied to the primary fitment, and it is what the final number in 215/70R15 refers to.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture, so it still helps to confirm the wheel width before choosing a tire. Several 215/70R15 options in this fitment range are intended for wheels around 5.5 to 7.5 inches wide, and a modified car may need closer checking for wheel compatibility and clearance.
Does the 1978 Maserati Bora Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1978 Maserati Bora Base uses the same 215/70R15 radial tire size as the model core fitment. That keeps the decision simple at the sub-model level, because there is not a separate primary size tied to the Base.
Even with a shared size, it is still smart to inspect the car's current wheel setup before ordering tires. A vintage exotic may have replacement wheels, suspension changes, or long-stored components, so verifying wheel width, tire clearance, and overall condition helps avoid fitment surprises once the new tires are installed.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 215/70R15 tire for a 1978 Maserati Bora?
Start with the correct size, which is 215/70R15, then compare the tire's construction details, rim-width compatibility, and overall presentation. In this size, the 1978 Maserati Bora has options ranging from performance-oriented blackwall tires to whitewall, redline, pin-white-stripe, and raised white letter styles.
The best choice depends on how the car is used and how it is meant to look. A road-driven Bora may lean toward a blackwall radial with a more sporting appearance, while a restoration-oriented car may call for a more traditional sidewall treatment, provided the selected tire still suits the wheel dimensions on the car.
What sidewall styles are available for 1978 Maserati Bora tires?
The 1978 Maserati Bora's 215/70R15 fitment is available with several sidewall presentations, including blackwall, RWL, redline, narrow whitewall, pin-white-stripe, and wide whitewall. That gives the car a broad appearance range even though the primary tire size itself stays the same.
Sidewall choice affects the visual character of the Bora more than the fitment itself. A blackwall keeps the look understated and performance-oriented, while whitewall or stripe treatments create a more traditional presentation. Matching the sidewall style to the car's finish, wheels, and restoration direction usually matters as much as the brand name.
What brands offer tires for the 1978 Maserati Bora?
The 1978 Maserati Bora's 215/70R15 fitment is available from several brands, including Michelin, Dunlop, Avon, Vredestein, BFGoodrich, Cooper, Maxxis, Travelstar, and Coker Classic. Those options cover both sporting blackwall designs and more appearance-driven whitewall, stripe, or lettered treatments.
Brand alone should not decide the tire. It helps to compare each option by tire series, sidewall style, load specification where stated, and recommended wheel-width range. That approach keeps the selection grounded in how the car is actually set up and whether the goal is regular road use, a period-style look, or a more performance-focused presentation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1978 Maserati Bora?
A period-style 1978 Maserati Bora usually starts with the correct 215/70R15 size and then narrows the choice by sidewall presentation and tire series. Blackwall options such as Michelin XWX, Dunlop Sport Classic, Avon CR6ZZ, and Vredestein Sprint Classic offer a traditional European sporting look within the proper size.
Appearance goals should be balanced with the way the car will actually be used. Some owners want a clean road-and-show presentation, while others want a stronger visual tie to late-1970s styling cues. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against marque-specific references and the car's own historical documentation before finalizing the sidewall style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1978 Maserati Bora?
On a restored 1978 Maserati Bora, tire construction is less about bias-ply versus radial because the primary fitment is already radial. The visible difference comes more from the radial tire's sidewall treatment, tread presentation, and overall styling than from a construction change between vintage formats.
That makes the restoration decision more refined than basic size matching. A blackwall radial can preserve the car's restrained grand touring look, while redline, whitewall, or stripe treatments push the visual balance in a different direction. The wheel design, ride height, and intended finishing details should all be considered together when choosing the final presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1978 Maserati Bora?
Yes. Even though the primary tire size for a 1978 Maserati Bora is 215/70R15, modifications can change whether a given tire works well on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, ride-height changes, or body work can all affect tire-to-body and tire-to-suspension clearance.
A Bora that still uses 15-inch wheels may not have the same usable space as one with its original setup. Checking wheel width, backspacing or offset where relevant, and clearance at full steering and suspension movement helps prevent rubbing issues and keeps the chosen 215/70R15 tire aligned with the car's actual configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1978 Maserati Bora on new tires?
Before driving a 1978 Maserati Bora on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel diameter and width, and make sure the tires are mounted in the correct 215/70R15 size. It also helps to verify inflation pressure, lug hardware condition, and basic clearance around the suspension and bodywork.
A collector car deserves a broader road-readiness check before the first drive. Look over brakes, steering response, wheel-bearing play, and any signs of rubbing after the car is lowered to the ground. A short initial drive followed by a reinspection for air loss, interference, and fastener security is a sensible final step.
How should 215/70R15 tires on a collector 1978 Maserati Bora be maintained?
215/70R15 tires on a collector 1978 Maserati Bora should be checked regularly for pressure, visible cracking, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and any loss of air during storage. Because collector cars are often driven infrequently, tire condition can age out before tread depth becomes an issue.
Storage habits matter as much as mileage on a low-use exotic. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the car occasionally can reduce long-term flat spotting. Any tire that shows age-related deterioration should be inspected closely before returning the Bora to regular road use.
