The 1987 Aston Martin V-8 sits in a distinctive place in late hand-built British grand touring, combining traditional Aston Martin presence with the stronger performance identity that defined the era’s Vantage models. Tire fitment on this car is not one-size-fits-all, because the standard V-8 and Volante use 235/70R15 radials while Vantage and Vantage Volante models use 255/50R16 radials. That split also changes wheel diameter, tire profile, and the kinds of product choices available. Buyers usually end up balancing sub-model accuracy, sidewall appearance, and intended road use before choosing a tire that suits the car’s character and setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Aston Martin V-8
Two tire sizes apply to the 1987 Aston Martin V-8, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model. The key distinction is not just width and profile, but wheel diameter as well: some versions use a 15-inch radial while others use a 16-inch radial. Before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or tire series, confirm whether the car is a Base or Volante model, or a Vantage or Vantage Volante.
235/70R15 is a metric radial size in which 235 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 Aston Martin V-8, this size suits the standard road-going fitment used on the Base and Volante models. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles from brands such as Avon, BFGoodrich, Cooper, and Michelin. It is the size to evaluate when maintaining the grand-touring look and ride character associated with the non-Vantage versions.
255/50R16 is a lower-profile metric radial size, with 255 showing nominal section width in millimeters, 50 indicating aspect ratio, R for radial construction, and 16 for rim diameter. On the 1987 Aston Martin V-8, this size belongs to the Vantage and Vantage Volante, where the fitment reflects a more performance-focused wheel and tire package. Current choices center on blackwall radial tires from BFGoodrich and Michelin in performance-oriented series. This is the size to confirm when the car carries Vantage-spec wheels and the owner wants to preserve that sharper late-1980s stance.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Aston Martin V-8 because the covered versions do not all share the same tire size. The first step is identifying whether the car is a Base or Volante model with 15-inch wheels, or a Vantage variant with the 16-inch fitment.
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1987 Aston Martin V-8 Base
The 1987 Aston Martin V-8 Base uses the 235/70R15 radial fitment. That keeps tire selection focused on touring-oriented 15-inch choices, where sidewall appearance and brand preferences can matter as much as the basic size itself.
The 1987 Aston Martin V-8 Vantage uses the 255/50R16 radial fitment. Tire selection here centers on confirming the 16-inch wheel setup and choosing among the available blackwall performance-style radials in that size.
The 1987 Aston Martin V-8 Vantage Volante also uses the 255/50R16 radial fitment. That makes wheel-diameter confirmation especially important, followed by a comparison of available 16-inch blackwall radial options for the car’s open-top Vantage configuration.
The 1987 Aston Martin V-8 Volante uses the 235/70R15 radial fitment. Owners typically have more visible appearance choices in this size, including different sidewall treatments, so the decision often comes down to presentation as well as 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 1987 Aston Martin V-8 Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Aston Martin V-8 tire choices vary by sub-model, with 235/70R15 options from Avon, BFGoodrich, Cooper, and Michelin offering blackwall, whitewall, redline, and RWL styling, while 255/50R16 choices focus on blackwall performance radials from BFGoodrich and Michelin.
Tire questions for the 1987 Aston Martin V-8 usually come down to sub-model fitment, 15-inch versus 16-inch wheels, and how to choose among the available radial tire styles and brands. The answers below also cover appearance, maintenance, and road-use checks for a collector-era Aston Martin.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Aston Martin V-8?
The 1987 Aston Martin V-8 uses two different tire sizes depending on sub-model. Base and Volante models use 235/70R15 radial tires, while Vantage and Vantage Volante models use 255/50R16 radial tires. Both are modern metric radial formats, but they are not the same fitment and they do not use the same rim diameter.
Selecting the right tire starts with identifying the exact version of the car and confirming the wheels currently on it. Many collector cars have seen wheel changes over time, so checking the actual rim diameter before ordering tires is just as important as knowing whether the car is a standard V-8 or a Vantage.
What size rim does a 1987 Aston Martin V-8 use?
Rim diameter on the 1987 Aston Martin V-8 depends on sub-model. The Base and Volante use 15-inch rims with 235/70R15 tires, while the Vantage and Vantage Volante use 16-inch rims with 255/50R16 tires. That makes wheel diameter a central part of tire selection for this car, not a minor detail.
A tire size must match the wheel diameter exactly, so a 15-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 16-inch wheel and vice versa. Checking the wheel itself is worthwhile on any older Aston Martin, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels or a prior owner changed the original wheel-and-tire package.
Do all 1987 Aston Martin V-8 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1987 Aston Martin V-8 range is split between two fitments. Base and Volante models use 235/70R15, while Vantage and Vantage Volante models use 255/50R16. The distinction follows the sub-model, and it also changes the rim diameter from 15 inches to 16 inches.
That difference affects more than the number printed on the sidewall. It changes the pool of available tires, the sidewall styling choices, and the wheel setup that must be confirmed before purchase. Anyone unsure of the car’s exact specification should verify both the sub-model badge and the actual wheels already installed.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 235/70R15 tire for a 1987 Aston Martin V-8?
For a 1987 Aston Martin V-8 that uses 235/70R15, the main considerations are correct sub-model fitment, radial construction, and the style of tire you want on the car. This size is available in several series from Avon, BFGoodrich, Cooper, and Michelin, with blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, redline, and RWL sidewall treatments.
The decision usually comes down to how the car is used and how it should look. A restoration-oriented owner may care most about sidewall presentation, while a driver may focus on brand, rim-width compatibility, and load figures. It also helps to confirm the actual wheel width before narrowing the choices within this size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Aston Martin V-8 tires?
Sidewall styling depends on which tire size the car uses. In 235/70R15, choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, redline, and RWL treatments. In 255/50R16, the available products are blackwall radials. That means the standard V-8 and Volante have broader appearance options than the Vantage versions.
Sidewall style can strongly influence how a collector car presents, even when the mechanical fitment stays the same. Owners of Base and Volante models can match the tire’s look to the car’s intended presentation, while Vantage owners are mainly deciding between performance-oriented blackwall options in the proper 16-inch size.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Aston Martin V-8?
Tire options for the 1987 Aston Martin V-8 come from several established brands, depending on size. The 235/70R15 fitment is available from Avon, BFGoodrich, Cooper, and Michelin. The 255/50R16 fitment is available from BFGoodrich and Michelin. Brand availability is tied directly to the sub-model’s wheel-and-tire package.
Brand choice is only one part of the decision. It still makes sense to compare tire series, sidewall styling, rim-width ranges, and load figures where they are given. On this Aston Martin, the broader comparison set is in the 15-inch size, while the 16-inch Vantage fitment is narrower and more performance-focused.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Aston Martin V-8?
A period-style choice for a 1987 Aston Martin V-8 starts with using the correct size for the exact sub-model. Base and Volante models use 235/70R15, while Vantage and Vantage Volante models use 255/50R16. Once the size is correct, the tire’s overall look matters, especially because the 15-inch fitment offers several more visible sidewall treatments.
For many restoration-minded owners, the goal is matching the car’s intended character rather than chasing a single universal answer. A touring-oriented car may suit a more traditional sidewall presentation, while a Vantage usually points toward blackwall performance styling. When originality matters at a higher level, marque-specific references are worth checking before making a final decision.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Aston Martin V-8?
On the 1987 Aston Martin V-8, the primary fitments are radial tires, so the appearance question is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about profile, wheel diameter, and sidewall treatment. A 235/70R15 on a standard car presents differently from a 255/50R16 on a Vantage, and that visual difference is part of the model distinction.
Sidewall details also shape the finished look. In the 15-inch size, blackwall, whitewall, redline, and RWL choices can noticeably change the car’s personality without changing the underlying fitment. On a restoration-oriented car, selecting the right size first and the right sidewall second usually produces a more convincing result than choosing by brand alone.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Aston Martin V-8?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1987 Aston Martin V-8 even when the tire size itself looks correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, or body modifications can affect clearance, stance, and the usable tire choices for either the 235/70R15 or 255/50R16 fitment.
A careful check should include the actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and the space available at the fenders and steering components. That matters even more on a car that may have passed through several owners. Confirming the current setup before choosing tires helps avoid mismatches between the catalog size and the car as it sits today.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Aston Martin V-8 on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Aston Martin V-8 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, verify the tire size matches the car’s sub-model and rim diameter, and make sure inflation is set appropriately for the installed tires. It is also wise to look over suspension and steering components on a low-production collector car that may have seen irregular use.
Road-readiness depends on more than fresh rubber. A short initial drive should be used to check for vibration, rubbing, pull, or uneven behavior, especially if the car has been stored or recently recommissioned. Rechecking pressure and visually confirming clearance after those first miles can help catch issues before a longer outing.
How should tires on a collector 1987 Aston Martin V-8 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1987 Aston Martin V-8 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Look for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, or slow air loss, and keep the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources when it is parked for extended periods.
Low annual mileage can hide aging problems, so tread depth alone should not be the only measure of condition. Moving the car periodically, keeping the suspension in sound condition, and inspecting the tires before each meaningful drive are sensible habits. That approach helps preserve both ride quality and confidence on a grand-touring car that may spend long stretches off the road.
