The 1986 Aston Martin V-8 sits in the final era of Aston’s hand-built, coachbuilt-feeling grand touring cars, blending British luxury with serious performance and a distinctly muscular presence. Tire choice on this car is tied closely to the exact version you own, because the Base and Volante use 235/70R15 radials while the Vantage moves to 255/60R15 radials, all on 15-inch rims. That creates a real difference in stance, sidewall profile, and available tire styles. Choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and outline white letter presentations, so appearance matters as much as fitment. The right selection starts with confirming the sub-model, then matching the tire to the car’s intended road use and visual character.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Aston Martin V-8
Two tire sizes apply to the 1986 Aston Martin V-8, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model. All of them are radial tires built for 15-inch rims, but the Base and Volante use a different size from the Vantage. The first step is identifying which version of the V-8 you have, because that determines the correct fitment before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or tire series.
The 235/70R15 size uses a metric format: 235 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1986 Aston Martin V-8, this size serves the Base and Volante and supports the grand touring character associated with those versions. Available choices span Avon, BFGoodrich, Cooper, and Michelin, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles. It is the size to focus on when preserving a more traditional sidewall profile while still choosing among several visual and brand directions.
The 255/60R15 size follows the same metric radial format, with a wider 255-millimeter section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. On the 1986 Aston Martin V-8, this size is tied to the Vantage, making it the fitment that matters for that specific sub-model. Product choices include Goodyear, Cooper, and BFGoodrich, with outline white letter and raised white letter presentations across series such as Customgard Flexten, Eagle GT, Cobra Radial G/T, and Radial T/A. This size deserves close attention if the goal is to match the Vantage’s more aggressive tire footprint and wheel setup.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1986 Aston Martin V-8 because not every version uses the same tire size. The Base and Volante share one radial size, while the Vantage uses another, so confirming the exact model is the key first step before comparing tire options.
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1986 Aston Martin V-8 Base
The 1986 Aston Martin V-8 Base uses a 235/70R15 radial tire on a 15-inch rim. That makes selection less about sorting through multiple fitments and more about choosing the right brand, sidewall style, and overall presentation for the way the car will be driven and shown.
The 1986 Aston Martin V-8 Vantage uses a 255/60R15 radial tire on a 15-inch rim. Tire selection here should stay centered on that wider, lower-profile fitment, with attention to wheel setup, sidewall style, and the visual character you want the car to carry.
The 1986 Aston Martin V-8 Volante shares the 235/70R15 radial fitment used by the Base model. That opens the door to several appearance choices, including blackwall, whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles, while keeping the tire decision anchored to the correct touring-size format.
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 1986 Aston Martin V-8 Tires for Sale
Available 1986 Aston Martin V-8 tires center on 235/70R15 and 255/60R15 radial fitments, with choices from Avon, BFGoodrich, Cooper, Goodyear, and Michelin. Depending on size, buyers can compare touring and performance-oriented series along with blackwall, whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and outline white letter sidewall treatments.
The most important questions for a 1986 Aston Martin V-8 usually come down to exact sub-model fitment, 15-inch rim compatibility, available radial tire styles, and how to choose between appearance-focused and road-use-focused options.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Aston Martin V-8?
The 1986 Aston Martin V-8 uses two tire sizes, depending on sub-model. The Base and Volante use 235/70R15 radial tires, while the Vantage uses 255/60R15 radial tires. Both sizes are built for 15-inch rims, but they are not the same fitment across the full model range.
The practical step is confirming whether the car is a Base, Vantage, or Volante before selecting a tire. Once that is settled, the decision becomes more specific: comparing sidewall style, brand, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility within the correct size rather than guessing between two different primary fitments.
What size rim does a 1986 Aston Martin V-8 use?
The 1986 Aston Martin V-8 uses 15-inch rims with both primary tire sizes. That applies whether the car is fitted with 235/70R15 or 255/60R15, so the rim diameter stays consistent even though the section width and profile differ by sub-model.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a hand-built grand touring car that may have seen wheel changes over time. It still helps to check the actual wheel width before ordering tires, because some 235/70R15 and 255/60R15 products are designed around different rim-width ranges.
Do all 1986 Aston Martin V-8 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1986 Aston Martin V-8 Base and Volante share the 235/70R15 radial size, while the 1986 Aston Martin V-8 Vantage uses 255/60R15. That means the Vantage stands apart from the other covered versions in primary tire fitment.
That difference matters because tire selection should start with the exact sub-model, not just the year and model name. A car that has changed hands several times may also have replacement wheels or non-original tires already installed, so checking the vehicle itself is still worthwhile before committing to a new set.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 235/70R15 or 255/60R15 tire for a 1986 Aston Martin V-8?
Start with the correct sub-model fitment, because the Base and Volante use 235/70R15 while the Vantage uses 255/60R15. After that, compare construction, rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, tire series, and useful specification differences such as stated load capacity or product weight where those details are available.
The best choice depends on how the car is used and how you want it to look. A touring-oriented presentation may lead toward blackwall or whitewall options, while a more performance-themed look may point toward raised or outline white lettering. Matching the tire to the wheel and the car’s visual character usually matters more than chasing one brand name alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Aston Martin V-8 tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1986 Aston Martin V-8 vary by tire size. In 235/70R15, available styles include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter. In 255/60R15, the visible choices center on raised white letter and outline white letter styles.
That variety lets the tire influence the car’s personality as much as its fitment. A whitewall or redline can give a more restoration-oriented presentation, while lettered sidewalls tend to create a stronger period performance look. The important part is choosing the correct size first, then narrowing the visual treatment within that fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Aston Martin V-8?
Tires for the 1986 Aston Martin V-8 are available from Avon, BFGoodrich, Cooper, Goodyear, and Michelin, depending on size. The 235/70R15 fitment has the broadest brand spread, while the 255/60R15 fitment focuses on Goodyear, Cooper, and BFGoodrich offerings.
Brand is only one part of the selection process. It still helps to compare the tire series within each size, the sidewall treatment, and the wheel-width specification that matches your wheels. On a car like this, the right decision usually balances fitment, appearance, and intended use rather than treating one brand as the automatic answer.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Aston Martin V-8?
A period-style choice starts with the correct size for the exact sub-model: 235/70R15 for the Base and Volante, or 255/60R15 for the Vantage. From there, the tire’s visual character becomes the main differentiator, whether that means a blackwall touring presentation, a whitewall treatment, a redline, or a lettered performance-style sidewall.
The right answer depends on whether the goal is a restrained grand touring look or a stronger period performance impression. When exact historical originality matters, it is wise to compare the car against marque references, past photos, and restoration documentation before deciding on sidewall treatment rather than assuming any available style is automatically authentic.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Aston Martin V-8?
On the 1986 Aston Martin V-8, the primary fitments are radial tires, so construction changes are less about bias-ply versus radial and more about how a given radial is styled. Sidewall treatment, profile, and series name can make the car read as more formal, more sporting, or more overtly period performance in appearance.
That is especially noticeable because the Base and Volante use a taller-profile 235/70R15, while the Vantage uses a wider 255/60R15. Even within the correct size, a blackwall tire presents differently than a wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter tire, so construction stays consistent while the restored visual impression can change substantially.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Aston Martin V-8?
Yes. Even though the 1986 Aston Martin V-8 uses 15-inch radial fitments, wheel or suspension changes can alter what actually works on the car. Aftermarket wheels, wheel-width changes, altered ride height, or body and steering-clearance differences can all affect whether the intended tire size suits the current setup.
That matters most when a car no longer sits on its original-style wheels or has been tailored for a different stance. Checking wheel width, tire clearance at full steering lock, and visible spacing to fenders and suspension components helps prevent choosing a size that matches the model range on paper but not the individual car.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Aston Martin V-8 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, confirm that all four tires match the intended fitment, and check that the tires are properly seated and inflated. It also helps to look over valve stems, wheel condition, and the visible clearance around fenders, suspension parts, and steering components.
A collector car can hide issues that do not show up until the first real drive. A short test drive followed by a recheck for air loss, rubbing, unusual vibration, or steering pull is a sensible next step. That simple inspection routine helps confirm that the new tires suit the car’s present mechanical condition.
How should tires on a collector 1986 Aston Martin V-8 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1986 Aston Martin V-8 should be kept at appropriate pressure, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. Cars that are driven infrequently deserve extra attention because age and storage conditions matter as much as mileage.
Routine visual checks are especially useful before any longer outing. Looking for flat spotting after storage, confirming that the tires are holding air, and examining the sidewalls for age-related deterioration can catch problems early. Moving the car periodically and storing it in a stable environment can also help preserve tire condition over time.
