The 1989 Ferrari 348 TB arrived at the start of a new Ferrari road-car era, bringing late-1980s exotic styling and a more modern performance layout than the company's earlier V8 models. Its tire fitment reflects that transition as well, using a staggered 17-inch radial setup with 215/50R17 in front and 255/45R17 in the rear. That means the decision is less about choosing between vintage sizing systems and more about selecting the right modern radial in each position. Available choices include blackwall performance tires, along with rear redline and raised white letter options for a different visual statement. The right selection starts with keeping the front-to-rear sizing correct and matching the tire's character to the car's intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Ferrari 348 TB
The 1989 Ferrari 348 TB uses two primary tire sizes, and they serve different positions on the car rather than different trim levels. A 215/50R17 radial is used in front, while a 255/45R17 radial is used in the rear, both on 17-inch wheels. The key step is preserving that staggered layout so steering response, rear traction, and overall fitment stay aligned with the car's intended setup.
The 215/50R17 size uses a modern metric radial format: 215 is the section width in millimeters, 50 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 17 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1989 Ferrari 348 TB, this is the front tire size, so it plays a major role in steering feel and front-end clearance. Available choices in this size come from BFGoodrich in blackwall form across the g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A series. Selecting this size correctly means confirming it remains on the front axle and checking wheel width compatibility before choosing among the available tire series.
The 255/45R17 size is also a modern metric radial, with 255 indicating section width in millimeters, 45 identifying the profile, R for radial construction, and 17 for rim diameter. On the 1989 Ferrari 348 TB, this is the rear tire size, making it the wider half of the staggered fitment. Choices in this size include blackwall options from BFGoodrich and Nitto, plus Pro-Trac Street Pro III versions with redline or raised white letter sidewalls. This size should be chosen with the rear wheel setup in mind, especially if the car has had any wheel, suspension, or stance changes over the years.
Fitment on the 1989 Ferrari 348 TB is straightforward, but it is split by position rather than by multiple trim variations. Checking whether the tire is for the front or rear matters because the car uses different radial sizes at each end.
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1989 Ferrari 348 TB Base Front
The Base Front position uses a 215/50R17 radial on a 17-inch wheel. Tire selection here centers on keeping the correct front size in place and choosing among the available blackwall performance-oriented options with proper wheel-width compatibility.
The Base Rear position uses a wider 255/45R17 radial on a 17-inch wheel. That opens up more visible style choice at the rear, including blackwall, redline, and raised white letter presentations, while still requiring confirmation of wheel setup and clearance.
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 348 TB Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Ferrari 348 TB tires center on modern 17-inch radials from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac. Buyers can compare tire series, blackwall versus rear redline or raised white letter styling, and wheel-width compatibility across the front 215/50R17 and rear 255/45R17 sizes.
Common 1989 Ferrari 348 TB tire questions usually come down to the staggered front-and-rear sizing, 17-inch wheel fitment, available radial choices, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a low-use exotic back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Ferrari 348 TB?
The 1989 Ferrari 348 TB uses a staggered radial tire setup with 215/50R17 on the front and 255/45R17 on the rear. Both sizes are mounted on 17-inch wheels, but they are not interchangeable from one end of the car to the other because each size serves a specific axle position.
That makes the first step simple: identify whether the tire is for the front or rear before comparing products. A 348 TB with aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, or prior tire substitutions should also have wheel width and clearance checked so the front-to-rear relationship remains appropriate for the car's intended setup.
What size rim does a 1989 Ferrari 348 TB use?
The 1989 Ferrari 348 TB uses 17-inch rims with both of its primary tire sizes. The front 215/50R17 and rear 255/45R17 are both built around that same 17-inch wheel diameter, even though the rear tire is wider and uses a different profile than the front.
Wheel diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so it helps to confirm width as well before choosing a tire. Front tire options in 215/50R17 are paired with narrower rim-width requirements than the rear 255/45R17 options, which is especially important if the car no longer has its original wheel setup.
Why does the 1989 Ferrari 348 TB have more than one tire size?
The 1989 Ferrari 348 TB uses more than one tire size because it has a staggered fitment: 215/50R17 in front and 255/45R17 in the rear. The narrower front and wider rear arrangement is part of the car's intended performance-oriented setup rather than a difference between separate trim levels.
For tire selection, that means the goal is maintaining the correct size at each end instead of choosing one universal size for the whole car. Owners should verify which axle needs replacement, then confirm wheel width and any suspension or wheel changes that could affect clearance before installing a new set.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 215/50R17 and 255/45R17 tire set for a 1989 Ferrari 348 TB?
Start with the correct staggered layout: 215/50R17 for the front and 255/45R17 for the rear. From there, compare the available radial tire series, the intended character of each tire, and the wheel-width requirements that apply to each position so the set matches both the car and how it will be driven.
A careful choice also means thinking about whether appearance matters as much as performance feel. Some owners want a consistent blackwall presentation, while others may prefer a more expressive rear sidewall style, but any choice still needs to be checked against the actual wheels on the car rather than assumed from size alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Ferrari 348 TB tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1989 Ferrari 348 TB include blackwall options in both primary sizes, with added variety at the rear in 255/45R17. That rear size is also available with redline and RWL, or raised white letter, sidewall styling through the Pro-Trac Street Pro III line.
Appearance selection matters most when the owner wants the tire to contribute to the car's visual personality rather than disappear into the wheel. It still helps to choose sidewall treatment after the correct size, axle position, and wheel compatibility are settled, since the right look only works when the fitment remains correct.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Ferrari 348 TB?
The 1989 Ferrari 348 TB has tire options from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac across its two primary sizes. BFGoodrich appears in the front and rear fitments, Nitto is available in the rear 255/45R17 size, and Pro-Trac adds rear choices with more appearance-driven sidewall treatments.
Brand choice is most useful when paired with the details that actually affect selection, such as tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility. Rather than treating the brand name alone as the deciding factor, compare each option by axle position and by the kind of driving or presentation the 348 TB is expected to deliver.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Ferrari 348 TB?
A period-style 1989 Ferrari 348 TB still starts with the correct staggered radial sizes: 215/50R17 in front and 255/45R17 in the rear. Since this car already uses modern metric radial sizing, the appearance decision is less about vintage construction and more about choosing a tire series and sidewall treatment that suits late-1980s exotic styling.
Blackwall tires keep the presentation restrained and contemporary to the car's original era, while rear redline or raised white letter options create a more customized visual effect. Owners focused on strict originality should compare any appearance choice against marque-specific references and the actual wheel presentation of their own car.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 Ferrari 348 TB?
Tire construction has less visual impact on a 1989 Ferrari 348 TB than it would on an earlier collector car because the primary fitment is already radial. The bigger appearance difference comes from sidewall treatment and tire series, especially at the rear where blackwall, redline, and raised white letter choices are available.
For a restoration-oriented owner, that means the visual character can shift noticeably even when the size stays correct. A clean blackwall look tends to preserve the car's sharp late-1980s presentation, while more expressive sidewalls move it toward a personalized style, so the decision should match the overall direction of the car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Ferrari 348 TB?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 Ferrari 348 TB even when the nominal tire sizes remain 215/50R17 front and 255/45R17 rear. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered offset, suspension work, or ride-height adjustments can all change how much space the tire has around the body and chassis.
That is why a modified 348 TB should be checked at the wheel rather than judged by size code alone. Steering clearance at the front, space around the rear fenders, and the relationship between tire width and wheel width all deserve attention before installation, especially on a low-production performance car with tight packaging.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Ferrari 348 TB on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 Ferrari 348 TB on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tires are mounted in the correct front and rear sizes, and make sure inflation is set appropriately for the tire being used. It also helps to check for suspension wear, alignment issues, and any signs of rubbing at full steering lock.
A collector car that spends time parked deserves a second layer of inspection before road use. Look for uneven old tire wear that may point to setup issues, verify that valve stems and balancing are in good order, and take the first miles gently so any vibration, pull, or clearance problem can be caught early.
How should tires on a collector 1989 Ferrari 348 TB be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1989 Ferrari 348 TB should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and close attention to age-related deterioration. Even if tread wear is minimal, low-use exotic cars can develop cracking, flat spotting, or hidden air loss simply from long storage and infrequent road use.
Good maintenance also includes keeping the car stored away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors or shop equipment. Occasional movement helps reduce flat spotting, and any sign of bulges, sidewall damage, vibration, or repeated pressure loss should be addressed before the car is driven at speed.
