The 1991 Ferrari 348 TS comes from an era when Ferrari’s mid-engine road cars carried a sharper, more technical character, and the targa-style TS added open-air appeal without losing that focused layout. On this car, tire fitment is built around a staggered radial setup, with 215/50R17 at the front and 255/45R17 at the rear on 17-inch wheels. That means the real choice is not a single all-around size, but selecting the right front and rear combination within the correct dimensions. Available options include blackwall tires along with sport-oriented series and select redline or raised white letter styling at the rear, so appearance and intended road use both deserve careful attention.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1991 Ferrari 348 TS
The 1991 Ferrari 348 TS uses two primary tire sizes, and they are position-specific rather than interchangeable. A 215/50R17 radial is used at the front, while a 255/45R17 radial is used at the rear, both on 17-inch rims. The first step is confirming front-versus-rear fitment, then comparing tire series, sidewall styling, rim-width compatibility, and overall product character within each correct size.
215/50R17 is a metric radial size with a 215 millimeter nominal section width, a 50-series aspect ratio, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 1991 Ferrari 348 TS, this is the front tire size, so it plays a direct role in steering response, clearance, and keeping the staggered setup true to the car’s intended layout. Available choices in this size come from BFGoodrich in blackwall form across g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A series. Choosing within this size means balancing the correct front fitment with the tire series and specifications that best suit the car’s use and presentation.
255/45R17 is a metric radial size with a 255 millimeter nominal section width, a 45-series aspect ratio, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 1991 Ferrari 348 TS, this is the rear tire size, giving the car its wider staggered rear footprint and making rear fitment just as important as front sizing. Product choices include blackwall options from BFGoodrich and Nitto, plus Pro-Trac Street Pro III versions with redline or raised white letter sidewalls. This size deserves careful selection because sidewall style, rim-width range, and brand character can all influence how the rear of the car looks and how closely the finished setup matches the owner’s goals.
The covered 1991 Ferrari 348 TS sub-model fitment is straightforward in one sense and important in another: the tire sizes are tied to wheel position. Checking whether the tire is for the front or rear matters, because the car uses a staggered setup rather than the same size at all four corners.
1
1991 Ferrari 348 TS Base Front
The 1991 Ferrari 348 TS Base Front uses the narrower front radial fitment in the staggered 17-inch setup. Tire selection here is about staying with the correct front size while comparing blackwall product choices, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility.
The 1991 Ferrari 348 TS Base Rear uses the wider rear radial fitment that completes the car’s front-to-rear stagger. Rear tire selection brings more appearance variety, including blackwall, redline, and raised white letter options, so the decision often involves both style and fitment discipline.
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 1991 Ferrari 348 TS Tires for Sale
Available 1991 Ferrari 348 TS tires center on 17-inch radial front and rear sizes, with BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac choices depending on position. The product mix includes several sport-oriented series plus blackwall, redline, and raised white letter rear sidewall treatments for different visual goals.
Common 1991 Ferrari 348 TS tire questions usually center on the staggered front and rear sizes, 17-inch rim fitment, brand and sidewall choices, and what to inspect before road use on a low-mileage collector-era Ferrari.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1991 Ferrari 348 TS?
The 1991 Ferrari 348 TS uses a staggered radial tire setup, with 215/50R17 at the front and 255/45R17 at the rear. Those are both 17-inch tire sizes, but they are not the same width or profile, so the car does not use one universal size at all four corners.
That means the first fitment step is identifying whether the tire is for the front or rear of the car. Owners should confirm the actual wheel position, the installed wheel dimensions, and any changes from stock-style wheels before selecting replacements, especially on cars that may have seen aftermarket wheel or suspension changes over time.
What size rim does a 1991 Ferrari 348 TS use?
The 1991 Ferrari 348 TS 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 rim diameter, even though the tire widths and profiles differ as part of the staggered setup.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so it still helps to verify actual wheel width before choosing a tire. Front products in this application commonly suit narrower wheel widths than the rear, and that difference matters when the car has replacement wheels or when the owner is comparing multiple tire series.
Why does the 1991 Ferrari 348 TS have more than one tire size?
The 1991 Ferrari 348 TS has more than one tire size because it uses a staggered setup, with a narrower 215/50R17 front tire and a wider 255/45R17 rear tire. This layout gives the car a front-specific and rear-specific fitment rather than a square arrangement with the same size on every corner.
For tire selection, that means front and rear positions should be treated as separate decisions within the same overall set. Matching the correct sizes to the correct axle is more important than simply finding two 17-inch tires, and owners should also confirm clearance and wheel dimensions if the car has been altered from its original-style setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1991 Ferrari 348 TS tire?
Start with the correct staggered sizes: 215/50R17 for the front and 255/45R17 for the rear. From there, compare radial tire series, sidewall style where applicable, brand, and wheel-width compatibility so the finished setup matches both the car’s fitment needs and the owner’s intended appearance.
A careful choice also means keeping front and rear tires in their proper roles rather than mixing sizes casually because they share the same 17-inch rim diameter. It helps to look at load figures, tire weight, and how the car is actually driven, whether that means occasional touring, regular road use, or a more appearance-conscious collector presentation.
What sidewall styles are available for 1991 Ferrari 348 TS tires?
Sidewall style depends on tire size and position on the 1991 Ferrari 348 TS. Front 215/50R17 options are available in blackwall form, while rear 255/45R17 choices include blackwall as well as redline and raised white letter treatments through select Pro-Trac offerings.
That gives the rear of the car the biggest visual decision, especially for owners who want something more expressive than a plain blackwall presentation. Since the front and rear sizes are different, it is worth thinking about the overall look of the full set rather than choosing by rear sidewall style alone and overlooking how the front tires will complement it.
What brands offer tires for the 1991 Ferrari 348 TS?
Available tire brands for the 1991 Ferrari 348 TS include BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac, depending on size and wheel position. BFGoodrich appears in both the front and rear fitments, while Nitto and Pro-Trac are part of the rear 255/45R17 choices.
Brand selection is best handled as part of the total fitment plan rather than as an isolated preference. Some owners may want a matched brand family front and rear, while others may focus more on sidewall styling or the character of a specific rear tire series, provided the correct size, wheel compatibility, and overall setup remain consistent.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1991 Ferrari 348 TS?
A period-style 1991 Ferrari 348 TS tire choice starts with preserving the correct staggered sizing: 215/50R17 front and 255/45R17 rear. From there, a blackwall radial usually gives the most restrained and era-appropriate presentation, while still allowing the owner to compare different sport-oriented tire series within the correct dimensions.
The best appearance choice depends on whether the goal is a cleaner original-style look or a more personalized early-1990s performance feel. Because exact factory originality can matter on Ferraris, owners pursuing a highly accurate restoration should compare tire appearance details against marque literature, period photography, and model-specific historical references before making a final decision.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1991 Ferrari 348 TS?
On the 1991 Ferrari 348 TS, construction is less of a bias-ply-versus-radial restoration issue because the primary fitment is already radial. The visual difference comes more from the tire’s overall design language, sidewall treatment, and series character than from choosing between old and new construction types.
That makes details such as blackwall versus redline or raised white letter more noticeable in the finished look of the car. A restoration-oriented owner will usually want the sidewall presentation to support the Ferrari’s sharp early-1990s styling, while also keeping the correct front and rear sizes so the stance does not drift away from the intended staggered setup.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1991 Ferrari 348 TS?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1991 Ferrari 348 TS even when the tire sizes themselves appear correct. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, alignment changes, or body modifications can all change the clearance available around the front 215/50R17 and rear 255/45R17 tires.
A car with any non-original-style changes should have wheel width, offset, steering clearance, and fender clearance checked before new tires are installed. The 17-inch rim diameter alone does not confirm fitment, and staggered setups deserve extra attention because front and rear positions have different width requirements and different space available around the tire.
What should I inspect before driving a 1991 Ferrari 348 TS on new tires?
Before driving a 1991 Ferrari 348 TS on new tires, inspect wheel condition, verify the correct front and rear sizes, and make sure the tires are mounted on suitable 17-inch wheels. It also helps to check air pressure, valve stems, lug torque, and whether there is any rubbing at steering lock or through suspension movement.
A collector-era Ferrari that sees limited mileage also deserves a broader look before returning to regular road use. Brake condition, suspension bushings, alignment, and any sign of previous tire contact in the wheel housings can all influence how the new tires behave once the car is driven beyond a short test loop.
How should tires on a collector 1991 Ferrari 348 TS be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1991 Ferrari 348 TS should be inspected regularly for air loss, uneven wear, cracking, bulges, cuts, and any signs of age-related deterioration. Because the car uses a staggered setup, front and rear tires should also be monitored by position instead of assuming wear patterns or pressure needs will match across the whole vehicle.
Storage habits matter just as much as mileage on a low-use sports car. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps preserve the tires, and periodic checks remain important even when the car is rarely driven, since age and storage conditions can affect roadworthiness long before tread is worn out.
