The 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS sits in the final stretch of Ferrari's analog V8 sports-car era, pairing crisp Pininfarina lines with the open-roof character that makes the targa-bodied GTS especially appealing to collectors. On this car, tire fitment is part of the chassis balance story, because the front and rear do not share the same size. The 328 GTS uses 205/55R16 front tires and 225/50R16 rear tires, both in radial construction on 16-inch wheels. Available choices lean toward blackwall performance radials, with an additional wide whitewall option in the front size. The key is preserving the intended staggered setup while confirming wheel dimensions and the appearance you want.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS
The 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS uses two primary tire sizes, both radial, and both built for 16-inch rims. The important first step is identifying whether you are selecting a front or rear tire, because the car uses a staggered setup with 205/55R16 in front and 225/50R16 in the rear. Once that is confirmed, the decision shifts to brand, tire series, sidewall presentation, and matching the tire to the wheel width on the car.
205/55R16 is a metric radial size in which 205 denotes nominal section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS, this is the front tire size, making it part of the car's staggered front-to-rear fitment. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic offerings, mostly in blackwall form, with one wide whitewall option for a different visual direction. This size should be evaluated with the front wheel width and the car's intended use in mind.
225/50R16 is a metric radial size where 225 represents nominal section width in millimeters, 50 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS, this size belongs at the rear, where it works with the narrower front size to maintain the car's intended staggered arrangement. Product choices in this size include blackwall radial options from BFGoodrich and Michelin across distinct performance-oriented series. Selecting this size means confirming rear wheel width and keeping the front-to-rear pairing consistent rather than treating all four corners the same.
Fitment on the 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS is straightforward once the axle position is identified, because the covered sub-model entries separate the front and rear tire sizes. Checking the exact front or rear application matters here, since the car does not use the same size at all four corners.
1
1987 Ferrari 328 GTS Quattrovalvole Front
The 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS Quattrovalvole Front uses the 205/55R16 radial tire size on a 16-inch rim. Tire selection at the front comes down to choosing among available blackwall and wide whitewall options while making sure the tire suits the wheel width and preserves the car's staggered layout.
The 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS Quattrovalvole Rear uses the 225/50R16 radial tire size on a 16-inch rim. Rear tire choice centers on selecting the right radial series for the wheel and maintaining the proper front-to-rear size relationship rather than substituting a matching four-corner setup.
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 Ferrari 328 GTS Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS tires center on 205/55R16 and 225/50R16 radial fitments from BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic. The main comparison points are tire series, blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance in the front size, and wheel-width compatibility across the staggered front and rear setup.
Common questions for the 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS usually center on the staggered front and rear tire sizes, 16-inch wheel fitment, available radial choices, appearance differences, and the checks worth making before road use on a collector-era Ferrari.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS?
The 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS uses a staggered tire setup rather than one size at all four corners. The front size is 205/55R16 and the rear size is 225/50R16, with both sizes built in radial construction for 16-inch wheels.
That staggered arrangement is an important part of selecting tires for the car, because front and rear positions are not interchangeable. A buyer should confirm which axle is being fitted, then check the actual wheel width on the car before choosing among available tire series, brands, and sidewall styles.
What size rim does a 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS use?
The 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS uses 16-inch rims with both of its primary tire sizes. The front 205/55R16 and rear 225/50R16 sizes are both designed around a 16-inch wheel diameter, so rim diameter remains consistent even though the widths differ front to rear.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on this Ferrari. Wheel width still matters, since available 205/55R16 products are paired with narrower rim-width ranges than 225/50R16 products, and the car's staggered setup should be preserved when replacing one axle or all four tires.
Why does the 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS has more than one tire size because it uses a staggered layout, with 205/55R16 at the front and 225/50R16 at the rear. Both are radial sizes on 16-inch wheels, but the rear tire is wider than the front.
For the buyer, that means tire selection starts with axle position, not just wheel diameter. Keeping the correct front and rear pairing helps maintain the intended stance and wheel-to-tire relationship, while any change in wheel width or a modified suspension setup should be checked carefully before mounting replacement tires.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 205/55R16 or 225/50R16 tire for a 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS?
Start with the correct axle position, because the 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS uses 205/55R16 in front and 225/50R16 in the rear. From there, compare radial construction details, wheel-width compatibility, brand, tire series, sidewall appearance, and any available load information that may matter to your intended use.
A car kept close to original presentation may call for a different tire choice than one driven regularly on modern roads. It also helps to decide whether the goal is a consistent blackwall performance look on all four corners or a more customized visual direction, especially since sidewall choices are broader in the front size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS tires?
Most available 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS tire choices are blackwall radials, which aligns with the car's performance-oriented character. In the front 205/55R16 size, there is also a wide whitewall option, giving buyers a more distinctive visual treatment than the standard blackwall presentation.
Sidewall style changes the car's appearance more than its fitment, but the choice should still be made within the correct front and rear sizes. On a staggered setup like the 328 GTS, many owners will want a coordinated look across both axles, so it is worth considering how the front sidewall treatment will relate to the rear tire selection.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS?
Tire options for the 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS include BFGoodrich and Michelin in both the front and rear sizes, with American Classic also available in the 205/55R16 front size. Those choices span several radial series and give the car a mix of performance-oriented and appearance-driven options.
Brand selection is only one part of the decision on this Ferrari. It still makes sense to compare the specific tire series, sidewall style, rim-width range, and how the front and rear tires will work together visually and dimensionally on the car's 16-inch staggered wheel setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS?
A period-style starting point for a 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS is the correct staggered radial fitment: 205/55R16 in front and 225/50R16 in the rear. Blackwall radial tires generally suit the car's original-era performance look more naturally than a decorative sidewall treatment, especially if the goal is a restrained factory-era presentation.
Exact originality is a separate question from simply choosing the right size and construction. When a restoration demands precise historical appearance, it is smart to compare current tire options against marque references, period photography, and vehicle-specific documentation before settling on a brand, sidewall treatment, or tire series.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS restoration because the car uses a front-to-rear staggered setup rather than one universal size. Keeping 205/55R16 at the front and 225/50R16 at the rear preserves the basic visual balance of the wheels and tires as well as the intended radial construction.
Appearance is not just about sidewall style on a car like this. A mismatch in tire size, wheel width, or front-to-rear pairing can alter how the car sits and looks, so restoration-minded buyers should confirm the actual wheels on the car before choosing among current blackwall or alternate front-sidewall offerings.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS?
Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS even when the tire size itself is correct. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width or offset, suspension alterations, and body or alignment changes can all influence clearance at the fender, inner wheelhouse, and steering range.
That matters even more on a staggered car, since front and rear tires are already different sizes. Any 328 GTS with non-original wheels or suspension changes should have both axle positions checked separately so the selected 205/55R16 and 225/50R16 tires suit the actual setup rather than the stock dimensions alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS on new tires, inspect wheel condition, verify that the correct front and rear sizes were mounted, and check for adequate clearance through steering and suspension travel. Tire pressure, valve condition, and even bead seating are also worth confirming before the first real road use.
A collector-era Ferrari often spends time parked, so it is also smart to look over the rest of the chassis for issues that can affect tire behavior, including alignment problems, worn suspension components, and uneven previous tire wear. A careful first drive helps confirm that the staggered setup feels settled and consistent.
How should tires on a collector 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1987 Ferrari 328 GTS should be kept at proper pressure, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and protected from long exposure to heat, sunlight, and ozone. That routine matters whether the car is driven often or spends much of its time stored.
Low annual mileage does not eliminate the need for tire checks. A staggered setup deserves extra attention because the front and rear sizes, wheel-width requirements, and wear patterns differ, so owners should inspect each axle on its own schedule and replace tires based on condition and age, not tread depth alone.
