The 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS sits in an important moment of Ferrari road-car development, blending the sharp, mid-engine character of the 308 lineage with a more refined and usable package. Its open-roof GTS layout and Quattrovalvole configuration make tire fitment especially important because the car relies on a staggered setup rather than one uniform size at all four corners. The front uses 205/55R16 radial tires, while the rear uses 225/50R16 radial tires on 16-inch wheels. Available choices include Blackwall performance-oriented series from BFGoodrich and Michelin, plus a Wide Whitewall option in the front size. The right selection depends on preserving the car’s intended stance, confirming wheel position, and matching appearance to how the car will actually be driven.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS
The 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS uses two primary tire sizes, both on 16-inch rims, because front and rear fitment are different. The first step is identifying wheel position rather than choosing between alternate fitments for the same corner: 205/55R16 is the front size and 225/50R16 is the rear size. Once that is confirmed, the real choice becomes brand, tire series, sidewall presentation, and how closely the tire suits the car’s intended road use and appearance.
205/55R16 is a metric radial size in which 205 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, R designates radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS, this is the front tire size and it works within a staggered fitment rather than as a universal four-corner setup. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic offerings, primarily in Blackwall form, with a Wide Whitewall option also available. This size matters when maintaining the car’s front-end response, preserving the intended front-to-rear balance, and selecting a tire that suits either a more performance-oriented or appearance-driven goal.
225/50R16 is a metric radial size where 225 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, 50 identifies the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 16 specifies the rim diameter in inches. On the 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS, this is the rear tire size, so it should be chosen as part of the car’s staggered front-and-rear arrangement. Products in this size include Blackwall options from BFGoodrich and Michelin across performance-oriented series. This size is the one to evaluate when confirming rear wheel compatibility, maintaining the car’s intended visual stance, and matching the rear fitment to the front without mixing in an unrelated tire profile.
Fitment on the 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS is straightforward once wheel position is identified, because the covered Quattrovalvole front and rear applications use different sizes rather than interchangeable tires. Checking the exact front or rear fitment matters before comparing brands, tire series, or sidewall presentation.
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1986 Ferrari 328 GTS Quattrovalvole Front
The Quattrovalvole Front application uses the 205/55R16 radial size on a 16-inch wheel. That makes front tire selection a matter of choosing the right radial product and sidewall style while preserving the car’s staggered front fitment.
The Quattrovalvole Rear application uses the 225/50R16 radial size on a 16-inch wheel. Rear tire selection should focus on the correct staggered size, compatible wheel width, and a tire series that matches the car’s intended road 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 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS Tires for Sale
Available 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS tires center on 205/55R16 front and 225/50R16 rear radial fitments from BFGoodrich and Michelin, with several g-Force and Michelin series in Blackwall form. The front size also includes an American Classic Radial with a Wide Whitewall for a distinctly different visual presentation.
Owners of a 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS usually need clear answers on the staggered front-and-rear tire sizes, 16-inch rim fitment, available radial choices, appearance differences, and what to inspect before putting a collector Ferrari back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS?
The 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS uses a staggered radial tire setup rather than one size at all four corners. The front size is 205/55R16 and the rear size is 225/50R16, both designed for 16-inch wheels. That front-and-rear split is an important part of selecting the right tires for the car.
Choosing tires for this Ferrari starts with confirming whether the wheel is on the front or rear axle. A mismatched front and rear combination can change the car’s visual stance and upset the intended fitment balance, so the best approach is to verify wheel position, wheel width, and the exact tire size before comparing brands or tire series.
What size rim does a 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS use?
The 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS uses 16-inch rims with both of its primary tire sizes. The 205/55R16 front tire and the 225/50R16 rear tire share the same rim diameter, even though the tires themselves differ in width and aspect ratio as part of the staggered setup.
Rim diameter is only the first fitment check, because wheel width also matters when choosing among available tires. Front products in 205/55R16 commonly suit 5.5 to 7.5-inch rims, while rear products in 225/50R16 commonly suit 6.0 to 8.0-inch rims, so the actual wheel should be confirmed before final tire selection.
Why does the 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS have more than one tire size?
The 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS has more than one tire size because it uses a staggered fitment with one size in front and a different size in back. The front Quattrovalvole application uses 205/55R16, while the rear Quattrovalvole application uses 225/50R16. Those are position-specific fitments rather than interchangeable options.
This means tire selection is not a matter of choosing whichever size looks closest. The first step is identifying the wheel position and making sure the tire matches that corner of the car, then checking wheel width and clearance if the Ferrari has aftermarket wheels or any suspension changes that could affect the original fitment relationship.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 205/55R16 or 225/50R16 tire for a 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS?
Start with the correct wheel position, because 205/55R16 is the front size and 225/50R16 is the rear size on a 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS. From there, compare radial tire series, brand, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width compatibility. The available choices include BFGoodrich and Michelin in both sizes, with an American Classic Wide Whitewall option in the front size.
The right tire depends on how the car is used and how it should look once mounted. A more performance-oriented series may suit a driver-focused car, while a different sidewall presentation may matter more on a display-oriented vehicle, so it helps to confirm wheel dimensions and decide whether appearance or road-going character is the higher priority.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS tires?
Sidewall choice on the 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS is mostly centered on Blackwall radial tires. Both the front 205/55R16 and rear 225/50R16 sizes are available in Blackwall form, while the front 205/55R16 size also has a Wide Whitewall option through the American Classic Radial line.
That means sidewall style can influence the car’s appearance without changing the basic front and rear size relationship. Blackwall tires keep a more contemporary performance look, while a Wide Whitewall creates a much more distinctive visual statement, so the choice should be made with the car’s overall presentation and intended use in mind.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS?
Tires for the 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS are available from BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic, depending on size. BFGoodrich and Michelin appear in both the 205/55R16 front and 225/50R16 rear fitments, while American Classic is available in the 205/55R16 front size with a Wide Whitewall presentation.
Brand choice should be evaluated alongside tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility rather than by name alone. A buyer comparing options should look at whether the goal is a blackwall performance-style setup, a specific visual character, or a matched overall presentation that still respects the Ferrari’s staggered front and rear tire layout.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS?
A period-style 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS should begin with the correct staggered sizes: 205/55R16 in front and 225/50R16 in the rear. Staying with the proper size relationship preserves the car’s intended visual balance, and Blackwall radial options from BFGoodrich and Michelin keep the presentation closer to what most buyers expect from a mid-1980s Ferrari.
The final choice depends on whether the goal is a restoration-oriented road car or a more personalized appearance. Exact originality questions are best checked against marque-specific references and period vehicle documentation, but starting with the correct sizes and a restrained sidewall treatment is usually the most sensible foundation for a visually appropriate result.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS restoration because the car uses different front and rear sizes, and that staggered layout contributes to its stance and overall presentation. Using 205/55R16 in front and 225/50R16 in the rear keeps the restoration grounded in the proper fitment pattern for the model.
Appearance is only part of the story, since the wrong size or an incompatible wheel can also create practical issues with clearance and proportion. A restoration-minded owner should confirm wheel diameter, wheel width, and overall visual intent before choosing among available tire series, especially if the car has had wheels changed at some point in its life.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS even when the tire sizes appear correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, altered offsets, suspension changes, or ride-height adjustments can change the way a 205/55R16 front or 225/50R16 rear tire sits in the wheel opening and how much clearance remains at full steering lock or suspension movement.
A modified car should be checked more carefully than a stock-configuration car before choosing tires. It helps to confirm actual wheel width, wheel position, and visible clearance around fenders and suspension components so the selected radial tire matches the Ferrari’s current setup rather than only the original staggered size pattern.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, make sure the front and rear sizes are mounted in the proper positions, and check inflation pressure once the tires are installed. It is also wise to look over valve stems, wheel condition, and basic alignment condition before putting the car into regular road use.
A collector Ferrari can spend long periods parked, so the rest of the car deserves attention too. Look for rubbing marks, verify steering clearance, and make sure no old suspension or brake issue could affect the new tires, then take the first drive conservatively to confirm the car tracks properly and the staggered setup behaves as expected.
How should tires on a collector 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and clean storage conditions. Even when tread wear is low, the front 205/55R16 and rear 225/50R16 tires should be monitored for cracking, bulges, cuts, flat-spotting, and any signs of air loss that can develop on low-mileage specialty cars.
Storage habits matter just as much as mileage on a car like this. Keeping the Ferrari away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and an owner preparing for road use should inspect them closely after long storage periods rather than assuming a lightly used tire is automatically ready for normal driving.
