The 1990 Ferrari F40 sits in a rare place among supercars: a road car built with a competition mindset, defined by low weight, turbocharged power, and an unmistakably aggressive stance. Tire selection matters here because the F40 uses a staggered 17-inch radial setup, with front fitment depending on whether the car is on Goodyear, Michelin, or Pirelli-spec sizing, while the rear remains 335/35R17. Available choices stay focused on blackwall performance radials from brands such as BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Michelin. For an owner, the real priority is matching the exact front and rear combination to the car's wheel setup before evaluating tire series and road-use goals.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1990 Ferrari F40
The 1990 Ferrari F40 uses three primary tire sizes across its staggered front and rear setup, all in radial construction on 17-inch rims. The key step is identifying the exact front fitment tied to the car's tire-spec configuration, since the rear size stays consistent while the front can be either 235/45R17 or 245/40R17. Once that is confirmed, the decision becomes choosing the right performance-oriented tire within the correct size.
Fit(s): (Goodyear Tires) Front and (Michelin Tires) Front
Construction: Radial|Rim: 17 in
235/45R17 is a metric radial size with a 235-millimeter section width, a 45-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 1990 Ferrari F40, this size is used as a front fitment on Goodyear and Michelin-spec setups, making it part of the car's staggered tire package rather than a universal front size. Available choices include blackwall radials from BFGoodrich and Nitto across series such as g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Comp 2 AS, and NT555 G2. This size is the one to evaluate when the car retains that narrower front-wheel and tire presentation.
335/35R17 is a wide metric radial size that uses a 335-millimeter section width, a 35-series aspect ratio, and a 17-inch rim. On the 1990 Ferrari F40, it serves as the rear fitment across the covered tire-spec configurations, giving this size an important role in preserving the car's staggered balance and visual proportions. The available product selection centers on a blackwall Michelin Pilot Sport PS2. This is the size to confirm carefully at the rear, especially on a car with any wheel changes or prior tire substitutions.
245/40R17 is a metric radial size with a 245-millimeter section width, a 40-series profile, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 1990 Ferrari F40, this size is used as the front fitment for the Pirelli-spec setup, making it distinct from the 235/45R17 front arrangement found elsewhere. Blackwall choices in this size include several BFGoodrich series, including g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A. This front size deserves careful confirmation because it changes the tire choice path while keeping the same rear size.
Sub-model fitment on the 1990 Ferrari F40 is driven by tire-spec front and rear configurations rather than trim variation in the usual sense. Checking the exact front and rear designation matters because the rear size is shared, but the front size changes depending on whether the car follows Goodyear, Michelin, or Pirelli-spec fitment.
1
1990 Ferrari F40 (Goodyear Tires) Front
The 1990 Ferrari F40 (Goodyear Tires) Front uses a 235/45R17 radial fitment. That makes front tire selection a matter of staying with the correct size first, then comparing blackwall performance tire choices that suit the car's wheel setup and intended road use.
The 1990 Ferrari F40 (Goodyear Tires) Rear uses the shared 335/35R17 radial rear size. Rear selection is more straightforward, but it still calls for careful wheel-width and overall setup confirmation because this is a very wide tire in a specialized staggered application.
The 1990 Ferrari F40 (Michelin Tires) Front also uses 235/45R17 in radial construction. That keeps the front fitment aligned with the Goodyear-spec sizing path, so the main task is choosing among the available tire series while preserving the proper front-to-rear combination.
The 1990 Ferrari F40 (Michelin Tires) Rear uses 335/35R17, the same rear size found across the covered configurations. Tire choice here centers less on alternate sizing and more on verifying wheel compatibility and matching the rear tire correctly to the front setup already on the car.
The 1990 Ferrari F40 (Pirelli Tires) Front uses a different front size, 245/40R17, while remaining a 17-inch radial fitment. That difference makes front-size confirmation essential before purchase, especially since the wider front size leads to a separate set of available tire series.
The 1990 Ferrari F40 (Pirelli Tires) Rear uses 335/35R17 just like the other rear configurations. With the rear size held constant, the practical focus is on maintaining the correct staggered relationship with the Pirelli-spec 245/40R17 front fitment.
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 1990 Ferrari F40 Tires for Sale
Available 1990 Ferrari F40 tire choices focus on blackwall 17-inch radials from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Michelin. Comparison points include front size selection, tire series such as g-Force and Pilot Sport PS2, and rim-width compatibility within each staggered fitment position.
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used on the 1990 Ferrari F40, how the staggered front and rear fitment works, and what to check when comparing tire series, wheel setup, and road-use readiness.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1990 Ferrari F40?
The 1990 Ferrari F40 uses a staggered 17-inch radial tire setup. Front fitment is either 235/45R17 or 245/40R17, depending on the tire-spec configuration, while the rear uses 335/35R17 across the covered setups. That means there is not one single four-corner size for the car.
The practical step is to confirm the exact front size already associated with the car before choosing tires. An F40 with Goodyear or Michelin-spec front fitment follows the 235/45R17 path, while a Pirelli-spec front fitment uses 245/40R17, and the rear remains 335/35R17. Wheel size and any prior changes should be checked before replacing anything.
What size rim does a 1990 Ferrari F40 use?
The tire sizes used on the 1990 Ferrari F40 are built around 17-inch rims. That applies to the front and rear fitments, including 235/45R17, 245/40R17, and 335/35R17. Even though the front size can vary by configuration, the rim diameter stays the same.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture on an F40. A 17-inch wheel still needs the proper width for the tire being considered, especially with very wide rear rubber and two different possible front sizes. On a car that may have seen wheel changes over time, measuring the actual wheel setup is worth doing before ordering tires.
Why does the 1990 Ferrari F40 have more than one tire size?
The 1990 Ferrari F40 has more than one tire size because it uses a staggered setup and the front fitment differs by tire-spec configuration. Goodyear and Michelin-spec fronts use 235/45R17, Pirelli-spec fronts use 245/40R17, and the rear stays 335/35R17. The size difference is built into how the car is equipped front to rear.
That variation means the first decision is not choosing a brand or tire series, but confirming which front sizing path the car actually follows. Looking only at the rear size is not enough, since both front options share the same 17-inch rim diameter. Matching the correct front and rear pair helps preserve intended proportions and avoids avoidable fitment confusion.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1990 Ferrari F40 tire?
Start with the exact size and position on the car, because the 1990 Ferrari F40 does not use the same tire at all four corners. The rear is 335/35R17, while the front is either 235/45R17 or 245/40R17 depending on configuration. From there, compare radial construction, rim-width compatibility, and the tire series offered in the correct size.
A useful second step is deciding what matters most for the car's use: preserving the established staggered layout, selecting a specific brand already available in the size, or choosing among performance-oriented series. Since all available products here are blackwall radials, the real distinctions are fitment, series character, and making sure the tire suits the wheel actually on the car.
What sidewall styles are available for 1990 Ferrari F40 tires?
The available tires for the 1990 Ferrari F40 use a blackwall sidewall style. That applies across the front-size choices and the rear 335/35R17 fitment, so the visual presentation stays clean and performance-oriented rather than leaning toward whitewall, redline, or other vintage sidewall treatments.
For an F40 owner, that means sidewall appearance is not the main comparison point within the current selection. The more important distinctions are the exact front size, brand availability, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility. A blackwall presentation also suits the car's late-1980s and early-1990s supercar character without introducing styling cues that would feel out of place.
What brands offer tires for the 1990 Ferrari F40?
Tires for the 1990 Ferrari F40 are available from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Michelin within the applicable 17-inch radial sizes. BFGoodrich covers both front-size paths with several g-Force series, Nitto appears in 235/45R17, and Michelin is available in the 335/35R17 rear size through the Pilot Sport PS2 line.
Brand choice should be considered alongside size availability and position on the car, not in isolation. The front and rear fitments do not offer the same mix of options, so it helps to confirm the exact front specification first and then compare the tire series available in that size. That approach keeps the selection process grounded in fitment rather than labels alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1990 Ferrari F40?
A period-style approach for a 1990 Ferrari F40 starts with preserving the correct staggered 17-inch radial sizing for the car's exact configuration. That means pairing 335/35R17 at the rear with either 235/45R17 or 245/40R17 at the front, depending on whether the car follows the Goodyear, Michelin, or Pirelli-spec layout.
Because the available options are blackwall radials, the period-style decision is less about decorative sidewall treatment and more about keeping the proper proportions and stance. Owners pursuing strict historical accuracy should also compare the car's current wheel and tire setup with marque-specific reference material, especially if the F40 has had wheels or tires changed at any point in its life.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1990 Ferrari F40 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1990 Ferrari F40 because the car's visual balance and intended setup depend on a specific staggered front and rear arrangement. Using the right front size for the car's configuration, together with the 335/35R17 rear, helps maintain the proportions that are central to the F40's appearance and chassis presentation.
Restoration-minded owners should treat size, wheel diameter, and wheel width as part of the car's overall specification rather than as interchangeable cosmetic details. Even within the same 17-inch rim diameter, the two front-size paths are not the same choice. Confirming what is currently on the car before replacing tires can prevent a restoration from drifting away from the intended setup.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1990 Ferrari F40?
Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1990 Ferrari F40, especially because the car already uses a low-profile staggered setup with very wide rear tires. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, suspension height, alignment settings, or body clearance can alter how a 235/45R17, 245/40R17, or 335/35R17 tire sits and moves through its range of travel.
That matters most on a car with aftermarket wheels or any suspension changes, where matching the catalog size alone is not enough. Tire selection should be checked against the actual wheel dimensions and the car's present clearances at the front and rear. A careful inspection before purchase can avoid rubbing, steering interference, or an unintended change in stance.
What should I inspect before driving a 1990 Ferrari F40 on new tires?
Before driving a 1990 Ferrari F40 on new tires, inspect the wheel condition, verify that the front and rear sizes match the car's intended staggered setup, and confirm that each tire is mounted on the correct 17-inch wheel position. Tire pressure, bead seating, valve condition, and basic clearance at steering lock and suspension movement should also be checked.
An F40 is sensitive to setup details, so the first road use should be preceded by a slow, careful review rather than a quick visual glance. It helps to look for any signs of contact inside the wheelwell, uneven spacing, or air loss after installation. A short local drive followed by a second inspection is a sensible way to catch issues early.
How should tires on a collector 1990 Ferrari F40 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1990 Ferrari F40 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition even if the car is driven sparingly. Low-use exotic cars can develop problems from storage as easily as from mileage, so sidewall cracking, flat spotting, tread condition, and slow air loss deserve routine attention.
Storage environment matters as much as miles on a collector car. Keeping the F40 away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires between drives, and moving the car periodically can reduce long-term stress on one contact patch. Before any longer outing, inspect each tire carefully and confirm the staggered setup still matches the car.
