The 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 arrived at a moment when Ferrari was blending mid-engine sports car engineering with a more usable grand touring layout, giving the Mondial a distinct place among early 1980s Italian exotics. Its tire fitment reflects that period precisely. The 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 uses a 240/55R390 radial, a millimetric Michelin TRX-era size that makes tire selection more specialized than a typical inch-based fitment. Current choices center on maintaining that original sizing approach, with a Michelin TRX-B blackwall option available in the correct format. For restoration-minded owners and drivers alike, the key is preserving the proper wheel-and-tire relationship before putting the car back on the road.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8
The 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 uses one primary tire size: 240/55R390, and it is a radial fitment built around a 390mm millimetric rim rather than a conventional 15-inch or 16-inch wheel. The Base model uses this same size, so the main decision is not between multiple primary fitments, but between staying faithful to the TRX-style specification and confirming that the car still retains the correct millimetric wheels.
240/55R390 is a metric radial size in which 240 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 390 refers to the wheel diameter in millimeters. That last number matters because this Ferrari does not use a standard inch-based rim in this fitment. Available choices in this size center on Michelin's TRX-B line with a blackwall sidewall and Michelin TRX character. This is the size to evaluate when the car retains its original-style millimetric wheel setup and the goal is to keep the intended wheel-and-tire relationship intact.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 range. The Base model uses the same primary tire size, so the important step is confirming that the car still has the correct 390mm wheels before choosing a replacement tire.
1
1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 Base
The 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 Base uses the same 240/55R390 radial fitment as the overall model line. Tire selection therefore centers on preserving the correct millimetric TRX-style setup and checking that the wheels have not been changed to a different diameter over the years.
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 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 Tires for Sale
Available 240/55R390 choices focus on Michelin, specifically the Michelin TRX-B series in radial construction with a blackwall sidewall. For this Mondial, the main product comparison point is maintaining compatibility with the original-style 390mm millimetric wheel setup.
Owners of a 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 usually need clarity on the unusual 240/55R390 size, the 390mm wheel requirement, product choice within the TRX format, and the checks worth making before driving a collector Ferrari on replacement tires.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8?
The 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 uses a 240/55R390 radial tire. That is a metric millimetric fitment rather than a conventional inch-based sports car size, so the 390 designation is part of the original wheel-and-tire system and should be treated as a core fitment requirement.
Selecting a tire starts with confirming that the car still has its 390mm wheels. Many collector cars have been modified over time, and a different wheel package changes the tire decision completely. On an intact TRX-style setup, staying with the proper 240/55R390 format preserves the intended relationship between the wheel, sidewall profile, and overall presentation.
What size rim does a 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 use?
The 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 uses a 390mm rim with its 240/55R390 tire size. This is not the same as a 15-inch or 16-inch wheel, which is why the Mondial's fitment can surprise buyers who are more familiar with standard inch-based tire sizing.
Wheel confirmation is especially important on a car like this because the tire market for millimetric TRX sizes is specialized. A replacement tire must match the wheel diameter exactly, and the wheel width also needs to be appropriate for the tire being considered. Looking at the wheel stamping or verifying the actual wheel package on the car is the safest first step.
Does the 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 Base uses the same 240/55R390 radial tire size as the core model fitment. That keeps tire selection fairly simple at the sub-model level, since there is not a separate alternate size to sort through within the covered 1981 Mondial 8 range.
The practical question is not trim-level variation, but whether the individual car still wears its original-style millimetric wheels. If it does, the search stays focused on the correct 240/55R390 size. If a previous owner converted the car to another wheel diameter, the actual wheel on the car becomes more important than the original-style fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 240/55R390 tire for a 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8?
Start with the correct size and wheel format. A 240/55R390 tire is designed for a 390mm millimetric rim, so the first consideration is making sure the Mondial still has the proper TRX-style wheel setup rather than a later inch-based conversion.
After that, compare the tire's construction, sidewall style, and the intended character of the car. The available option in this fitment is a Michelin TRX-B radial with a blackwall sidewall, which suits the Mondial's early 1980s presentation. Wheel width compatibility, overall condition of the suspension, and clearance on a low-volume exotic are also worth confirming before installation.
What sidewall styles are available for 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 tires?
For the 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 in 240/55R390, the available sidewall style is blackwall. That presentation matches the performance-oriented, early 1980s look many Mondial owners want, especially on cars that still retain their original-style metric wheel and tire layout.
Sidewall style matters because it changes the car's visual character even when the size remains correct. A blackwall keeps the appearance restrained and era-appropriate without adding whitewall or lettered-sidewall emphasis. Since this fitment is specialized, the larger decision is usually maintaining the proper millimetric format first, then choosing the sidewall presentation available within that correct size.
What brands offer tires for the 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8?
Michelin offers the available tire choice for the 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 in its primary 240/55R390 fitment. The relevant product is part of the Michelin TRX-B line, which stays within the specialized millimetric radial format used by the car.
That makes brand choice less of a comparison exercise and more of a fitment-preservation decision. On a car that still uses its original-style 390mm wheels, the key is securing the proper format and maintaining compatibility with the wheel setup already on the vehicle. Owners should still inspect wheel condition, age-related tire concerns, and overall road-readiness before regular use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8?
A period-style starting point for a 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 is the proper 240/55R390 radial in the TRX format. That size preserves the millimetric wheel-and-tire relationship associated with the car's original-era setup and keeps the Mondial's stance and presentation aligned with its early 1980s design language.
The available Michelin TRX-B blackwall choice suits that restoration-oriented direction well, but appearance goals should still be balanced against the actual wheel package on the car. If exact originality matters at a concours level, owners should also compare the car against marque literature, period photography, or model-specific Ferrari references before making a final tire decision.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 restoration because the car uses a specialized 240/55R390 millimetric radial. The tire is not just a wear item here; it is part of the visual and mechanical relationship between the car and its original-style wheel design.
Using the proper format helps preserve the Mondial's intended profile and avoids turning a restoration-oriented project into a mixed wheel-and-tire presentation. It is also a practical issue, since a 390mm wheel requires the matching tire diameter. Before installation, verify the wheels on the car, inspect for past conversions, and confirm that the suspension and clearances remain in good order.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8, especially if the car has been converted from its original-style 390mm wheel setup to a different diameter. Wheel width changes, suspension alterations, ride-height changes, and bodywork revisions can all affect what tire size is appropriate for the car as it sits today.
That matters because the stock-style 240/55R390 fitment assumes the matching millimetric wheel system. A modified Mondial should be checked for actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at full steering lock and suspension movement before any tire choice is made. On an unmodified car, staying with the proper metric format simplifies the decision considerably.
What should I inspect before driving a 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 on new tires?
Before driving a 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm that the 390mm wheel setup matches the tire, and check basic mechanical condition around the suspension and steering. Tire pressure, valve condition, and proper mounting on the specialized metric rim also deserve close attention.
A collector Ferrari that sits for long periods should also be checked for alignment issues, fluid leaks that could reach the tires, and any rubbing marks inside the wheel wells. The first road miles are the right time to listen for vibration, recheck inflation, and make sure the car tracks cleanly without clearance problems as speed and steering load increase.
How should 240/55R390 tires on a collector 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 be maintained?
240/55R390 tires on a collector 1981 Ferrari Mondial 8 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Look for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially on a car that may spend extended time parked between drives or events.
The Mondial's specialized millimetric fitment makes preservation especially important because replacements are not as commonplace as standard inch-based sizes. Keeping the car out of prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone-heavy storage areas helps protect the rubber. Even on low-mileage cars, periodic inspection remains essential, since age and storage conditions can matter as much as tread depth.
