The 1987 Ferrari Testarossa sits squarely in the era of dramatic wedge-shaped supercars, with its wide stance and unmistakable side strakes making tire fitment part of the car’s visual identity as much as its road manners. Unlike many earlier collector cars that center on bias-ply choices, the 1987 Ferrari Testarossa uses staggered modern metric radial sizing: 225/50R16 in front and 255/50R16 in the rear on 16-inch rims. That setup makes the key decision less about vintage construction and more about choosing the right front-to-rear combination, brand, and tire series. Blackwall radial options from BFGoodrich and Michelin keep the focus on proper sizing, wheel compatibility, and the balanced stance this car depends on.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Ferrari Testarossa
The 1987 Ferrari Testarossa uses two primary tire sizes, and they are position-specific rather than interchangeable. The front uses 225/50R16 and the rear uses 255/50R16, both in radial construction on 16-inch rims. Before choosing a tire, the first step is confirming whether you are replacing the front pair or the rear pair so the car keeps its intended staggered setup.
225/50R16 is a metric radial size in which 225 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 50 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 Ferrari Testarossa, this size is used at the front, where correct steering response and proportional fitment matter. Available choices in this size include blackwall radials from BFGoodrich and Michelin across series such as g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Comp 2 AS, and Pilot Sport. This is the size to evaluate when replacing the front tires and confirming compatibility with the car’s front wheel width.
255/50R16 is a metric radial size with a nominal 255-millimeter section width, a 50-series profile, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim diameter. On the 1987 Ferrari Testarossa, this is the rear tire size, giving the car the wider back tire that defines its staggered layout. Blackwall radial options are available from BFGoodrich and Michelin in series including g-Force Sport Comp 2 and Pilot Sport. This is the size to review when replacing the rear tires and checking that wheel width and rear clearance remain consistent with the car’s current setup.
Sub-model fitment on the 1987 Ferrari Testarossa is straightforward because the covered positions separate into front and rear tire applications. Checking the position matters here, since the car uses a staggered setup rather than the same size at all four corners.
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1987 Ferrari Testarossa Base Front
The 1987 Ferrari Testarossa Base Front uses the smaller of the two primary radial sizes, matching the car’s dedicated front position. Tire selection here centers on choosing a compatible blackwall radial and confirming the front wheel width before replacing the pair.
The 1987 Ferrari Testarossa Base Rear uses the wider rear radial size that completes the car’s staggered front-to-rear fitment. Tire choice at the rear should focus on maintaining the correct rear size, reviewing wheel-width compatibility, and keeping the overall setup balanced with the front tires.
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 Testarossa Tires for Sale
Available 16-inch radial choices for the 1987 Ferrari Testarossa include BFGoodrich and Michelin options in blackwall styling. The main comparisons are front versus rear size, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and details such as weight and load capacity where stated.
Common questions for the 1987 Ferrari Testarossa usually center on its staggered front and rear tire sizes, 16-inch rim fitment, brand and series choices, and what to inspect before putting a low-use exotic back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa?
The 1987 Ferrari Testarossa uses a staggered radial tire setup with 225/50R16 at the front and 255/50R16 at the rear. Both sizes mount on 16-inch rims, and the two sizes serve different positions on the car rather than one universal fitment for all four corners.
That means tire selection starts with identifying whether the replacement is for the front axle or the rear axle. Keeping the correct front-to-rear sizing matters for the car’s stance and overall setup, so owners should confirm wheel size, wheel width, and any prior modifications before mixing tire choices.
What size rim does a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa use?
The 1987 Ferrari Testarossa uses 16-inch rims with both of its primary tire sizes. The front 225/50R16 and rear 255/50R16 are both built around a 16-inch rim diameter, so the first rim-size question is consistent even though the tire widths differ front to rear.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a staggered car like the Testarossa. Wheel width still needs to match the tire being used, and that matters because the front and rear sizes have different compatible rim-width ranges. Checking the actual wheels on the car is especially important if they are not the original configuration.
Why does the 1987 Ferrari Testarossa have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Ferrari Testarossa uses more than one tire size because it has a staggered setup: 225/50R16 in front and 255/50R16 in the rear. The narrower front and wider rear are intentional parts of the car’s fitment layout, not alternate sizes for the same wheel position.
For the owner, that means front and rear tires should be treated as separate fitment decisions even though they share the same 16-inch rim diameter. Replacement planning should account for position, wheel width, and the condition of the existing set so the car does not end up with mismatched sizing that changes its appearance or setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing 1987 Ferrari Testarossa tires?
Start with the correct staggered sizes: 225/50R16 for the front and 255/50R16 for the rear. From there, compare the available radial choices by brand, tire series, blackwall presentation, and wheel-width compatibility so the tire matches both the car’s position-specific fitment and the wheels currently installed.
The available options also differ in details such as weight and, in some cases, stated load capacity. Those factors do not replace basic fitment checks, but they can help narrow the choice once the right size is confirmed. On a specialized car like the Testarossa, consistency between front and rear setup is just as important as the brand name on the sidewall.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Ferrari Testarossa tires?
The available tires for the 1987 Ferrari Testarossa are offered in blackwall styling. That applies across both the front 225/50R16 and rear 255/50R16 sizes, so the visual choice is straightforward compared with vintage applications that may offer whitewalls, redlines, or other period-style sidewall treatments.
With sidewall style largely settled, the more meaningful comparisons become brand, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility. That suits the character of the Testarossa well, since its tire presentation is defined more by the wide staggered proportions than by decorative sidewall detail. Owners focused on appearance should keep the front and rear pairing visually consistent.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Ferrari Testarossa?
BFGoodrich and Michelin both offer tires for the 1987 Ferrari Testarossa’s 16-inch fitment. In the front 225/50R16 size, choices include BFGoodrich g-Force series options and Michelin Pilot Sport, while the rear 255/50R16 size is available from BFGoodrich and Michelin as well.
That gives owners a useful brand comparison without moving away from the correct staggered sizing. The better way to choose between them is to review the series offered in each size, confirm the wheel-width range, and make sure the front and rear selections work together as a set rather than choosing only by brand familiarity.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Ferrari Testarossa?
A period-style approach for a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa starts with preserving the correct staggered 16-inch radial sizing: 225/50R16 in front and 255/50R16 in the rear. Because this is already a modern metric radial application, the visual character comes more from maintaining the proper front-to-rear proportions than from choosing an older tire construction style.
Blackwall tires suit the car’s original era and presentation, so selection usually comes down to brand and tire series rather than decorative sidewall treatment. Owners pursuing exact restoration standards should still compare any tire choice with marque-specific historical references, since period-style appearance and exact as-delivered configuration are not always the same thing.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa because the car’s visual balance depends heavily on its staggered setup. Using 225/50R16 in front and 255/50R16 in the rear preserves the wide rear-biased look that is central to how the Testarossa sits and presents itself.
Restoration-minded owners should pay attention not only to size, but also to overall presentation and wheel compatibility. Even when the rim diameter is correct, an altered wheel width or a mismatched front-to-rear pairing can change the appearance noticeably. For a car from this era, proper fitment supports both visual credibility and the intended stance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa even when the car still uses 16-inch wheels. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension alterations, ride-height changes, or body modifications can all influence how the 225/50R16 front and 255/50R16 rear tires sit and clear.
A car with any non-original setup should be checked carefully before replacement tires are chosen. Verifying actual wheel dimensions, steering clearance, and rear clearance is especially important on a wide, staggered application like this one. Tire size alone does not tell the whole story once the vehicle has been altered from its standard layout.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the front and rear tires are mounted in the correct positions, and check inflation pressure carefully. It also makes sense to look over suspension components, alignment condition, and any signs of rubbing or interference around the wheel openings.
Low-use exotic cars deserve extra attention because long storage can hide problems that only show up once the car is moving again. Sidewall condition on the older tires, uneven wear patterns, air loss, and age-related cracking can all point to issues worth addressing before regular road use resumes. A short, cautious test drive is a sensible final check.
How should 225/50R16 and 255/50R16 tires on a collector 1987 Ferrari Testarossa be maintained?
Maintain 225/50R16 front and 255/50R16 rear tires on a collector 1987 Ferrari Testarossa by keeping inflation pressure consistent, inspecting tread and sidewalls regularly, and watching for signs of flat spotting after storage. Collector cars that are driven infrequently should also be checked for slow air loss and age-related deterioration.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a low-use car. Keeping the vehicle away from prolonged sunlight, heat, excess moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires between drives. It is also wise to review the tires before any longer outing, since a car that looks fine in the garage can still have aging-related tire issues.
