The 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB sits at the end of Ferrari’s analog V8 era, combining sharp Pininfarina lines with the balanced, road-focused character that made the 328 such an important late-1980s sports car. On this car, tire fitment is closely tied to that handling balance because the 328 GTB uses a staggered radial setup: 205/55R16 in front and 225/50R16 in the rear. That keeps the buying decision focused less on whether one size fits all and more on selecting the right front-to-rear combination, tire series, and sidewall presentation. The right choice should respect the car’s 16-inch wheel setup, intended road use, and overall appearance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB
The 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB uses two primary tire sizes, both in radial construction on 16-inch wheels. The first step is confirming position, because the front and rear do not share the same size. Once that is established, the real decision becomes choosing the right tire series, brand, and appearance within the correct staggered setup rather than treating the car as a same-size fitment at all four corners.
205/55R16 is a metric radial size in which 205 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB, this size is used at the front and plays an important role in preserving the car’s intended steering response and staggered balance. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic, with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments represented across several tire series. Selecting within this size comes down to preserving the proper front fitment while matching the car’s use and visual direction.
225/50R16 is also a metric radial size, with 225 denoting nominal section width in millimeters, 50 indicating the aspect ratio, R marking radial construction, and 16 identifying the rim diameter. On the 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB, this size is used at the rear, where it complements the narrower front tire as part of the car’s staggered arrangement. BFGoodrich and Michelin options are available in this size, primarily in blackwall form and across distinct performance-oriented tire series. This rear size should be evaluated as part of a matched front-to-rear setup, especially if wheel changes or past modifications are part of the car’s history.
Tire fitment on the 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB is straightforward in one sense and position-specific in another. The Quattrovalvole front and rear applications use different radial sizes, so confirming whether the tire is for the front or rear of the car matters before comparing products.
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1989 Ferrari 328 GTB Quattrovalvole Front
The 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB Quattrovalvole Front uses a 205/55R16 radial tire on a 16-inch wheel. That makes the front-tire decision more about choosing among available brands, series, and sidewall treatments while keeping the correct front fitment in the staggered setup.
The 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB Quattrovalvole Rear uses a 225/50R16 radial tire on a 16-inch wheel. The rear selection should be made with the front size in mind so the car retains the intended staggered arrangement rather than being treated like a square tire 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 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB tire choices center on 205/55R16 front and 225/50R16 rear radials from BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic. The main comparison points are tire series, blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, and the rim-width ranges tied to each size.
These 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB tire FAQs focus on the car’s staggered front and rear sizing, 16-inch wheel fitment, available radial choices, appearance differences, and the checks that matter before road use or changes to the wheel and suspension setup.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB?
The 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB uses a staggered radial tire setup with 205/55R16 in front and 225/50R16 in the rear. Both sizes are built around 16-inch rims, but they are not interchangeable front to rear because each position uses its own dedicated size.
That means the first step is identifying whether the tire is for the front or rear axle before comparing brands or tire series. If the car has had wheel changes in the past, confirm the actual wheel dimensions on the car so the replacement tire matches the intended front-to-rear arrangement.
What size rim does a 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB use?
Both primary tire sizes for the 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB are built for 16-inch rims. The front 205/55R16 and rear 225/50R16 share the same wheel diameter even though the section width and profile differ between the front and rear positions.
Matching rim diameter alone is not enough to select a tire correctly, because width compatibility also matters. The available products for the front and rear sizes carry different rim-width ranges, so the actual wheel width should be checked before choosing among the tire options in each position.
Why does the 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB have more than one tire size?
The 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB uses more than one tire size because it has a staggered setup, with 205/55R16 at the front and 225/50R16 at the rear. The front tire is narrower and the rear tire is wider, even though both mount on 16-inch wheels.
For the owner, that changes the buying process from choosing one universal size to maintaining the correct axle-specific combination. It is also a good reason to verify wheel placement, especially on a collector car that may have had wheels rotated, replaced, or refinished at some point in its life.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 205/55R16 and 225/50R16 tire set for a 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB?
Start with the correct staggered sizing: 205/55R16 for the front and 225/50R16 for the rear. From there, compare construction, brand, tire series, sidewall appearance, and wheel-width compatibility so the set suits both the car’s fitment requirements and the way it will be used.
A road-driven 328 GTB may lead you toward modern blackwall performance-oriented radials, while a more appearance-focused build may place extra value on sidewall presentation where that option exists. It also helps to compare load figures, tire weight, and the condition of the existing wheels before committing to a front-and-rear package.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB tires?
Blackwall is the primary sidewall style available for the 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB in both its front and rear tire sizes. A wide whitewall option appears in 205/55R16, which creates a very different visual character from the blackwall tires more commonly associated with late-1980s sports-car fitment.
That makes sidewall choice partly an appearance decision and partly a consistency decision across the full staggered setup. Anyone considering a whitewall front tire should think carefully about how that look pairs with the rear tires and whether the goal is a traditional custom presentation or a more restrained period-sports-car look.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB?
BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic all offer tires within the 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB’s fitment range. BFGoodrich appears in both front and rear sizes across g-Force series, Michelin appears in both sizes as well, and American Classic is represented in the 205/55R16 front size.
Brand choice should be considered alongside size position, tire series, and sidewall style rather than in isolation. A matched front-to-rear decision is especially important on this car, since the 328 GTB relies on different front and rear sizes and each axle may present a different mix of product options.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB?
A period-style 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB tire choice starts with preserving the correct staggered radial sizing: 205/55R16 in front and 225/50R16 in the rear. From there, blackwall tires usually maintain the most familiar late-1980s sports-car presentation, while different tire series can shift the look subtly without changing the core fitment.
Appearance-focused buyers should also think about how the front and rear tires look together once mounted, since mismatched visual character can stand out on a low, sharply styled car like the 328 GTB. If exact originality matters, compare candidate tires against marque references and period photos before finalizing the set.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB restoration because the car uses distinct front and rear radial sizes rather than a one-size setup. Maintaining 205/55R16 front and 225/50R16 rear sizing helps preserve the visual stance and fitment relationship intended by the car’s wheel and body proportions.
Restoration decisions are not only about dimensions, though; sidewall treatment and tire series also affect how finished the car looks. Even when staying within the proper sizes, it is worth checking wheel width, overall presentation, and whether the goal is a faithful period-style result or a more individualized collector-car appearance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB even when the nominal sizes remain 205/55R16 front and 225/50R16 rear. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body modifications can all influence how much space the tire has at full steering lock or suspension travel.
That is why replacement tires should be checked against the actual wheel setup on the car, not just the original size convention. Clearance at the fender, inner wheelhouse, and steering components deserves attention, particularly on a low sports car where a small setup change can have visible or mechanical consequences.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB on new tires, inspect tire pressure, wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, and basic clearance at both the front and rear. It is also smart to look for suspension or alignment issues that could affect how the new 205/55R16 front and 225/50R16 rear tires sit and wear.
A careful walkaround after the first short drive can reveal rubbing, uneven seating, or early air loss before those issues become more serious. Since this is a staggered setup, confirm that the front and rear tires were mounted in the correct positions and that the car tracks cleanly once the installation is complete.
How should tires on a collector 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1989 Ferrari 328 GTB should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and attention to age-related condition even when tread looks excellent. Collector cars often accumulate fewer miles, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, and long-term storage effects can matter as much as tread wear.
Storage conditions deserve as much attention as driving use, especially on a car that may sit for extended periods. Keeping the tires away from prolonged heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect them, and occasional inspection of both the front and rear sizes helps catch problems before the next road outing.
