The 1997 Ferrari F50 sits in a rare part of Ferrari history, bridging road car and competition thinking with an open-top supercar layout and a distinctly 1990s approach to ultra-high-performance engineering. Tire choice on a car like this is not a cosmetic afterthought, because the staggered setup is central to the way the F50 stands and drives. The 1997 Ferrari F50 uses radial tires in two different 18-inch sizes: 245/35R18 for the front and 335/30R18 for the rear. That makes the real decision less about broad fitment and more about preserving the correct front-to-rear relationship, wheel compatibility, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1997 Ferrari F50
The 1997 Ferrari F50 uses two primary tire sizes, not one, and the difference is positional rather than trim-based. A 245/35R18 radial is used at the front and a 335/30R18 radial is used at the rear, both on 18-inch wheels. The first step is confirming whether you are selecting a front or rear tire, because maintaining the correct staggered setup is essential before comparing available product choices.
245/35R18 is a metric radial size in which 245 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 35 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 18 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1997 Ferrari F50, this is the front tire size and it plays an important role in preserving the car's intended staggered tire setup. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich in the g-Force Phenom T/A series with a Blackwall sidewall. Selecting this size starts with confirming front-wheel application and matching the tire to the wheel's actual width and vehicle setup.
335/30R18 is a metric radial size where 335 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 30 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 18 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1997 Ferrari F50, this is the rear tire size and it should be treated as part of the car's staggered front-to-rear fitment rather than as an interchangeable companion to the front tire. Its practical role is preserving the correct rear sizing relationship for the chassis and wheel package. Rear tire selection should always be checked against the actual rear wheel dimensions and any modifications made over time.
The covered F50 sub-model entries separate front and rear fitment rather than introducing different trim-level tire packages. Checking the exact position matters, because the front and rear use different radial sizes even though both are built around 18-inch wheels.
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1997 Ferrari F50 Base Front
The 1997 Ferrari F50 Base Front uses a 245/35R18 radial tire. Front tire selection should focus on maintaining the proper staggered setup, confirming wheel-width compatibility, and choosing a tire suited to the car's intended road use.
The 1997 Ferrari F50 Base Rear uses a 335/30R18 radial tire. Rear tire choice should be treated as a dedicated fitment decision, with attention to wheel dimensions, clearance, and preserving the intended balance between the front and rear tire package.
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 1997 Ferrari F50 Tires for Sale
Available product choice centers on the front 245/35R18 size, where BFGoodrich offers the g-Force Phenom T/A in a Blackwall radial design. For an F50 owner, the key comparison points are correct size, 18-inch wheel compatibility, and preserving the intended front-to-rear stagger.
Tire questions for the 1997 Ferrari F50 usually come down to front-versus-rear sizing, 18-inch rim fitment, staggered radial selection, and the checks worth making before putting a low-production performance car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1997 Ferrari F50?
The 1997 Ferrari F50 uses a staggered tire setup with two primary sizes: 245/35R18 at the front and 335/30R18 at the rear. Both are radial tires built for 18-inch wheels, so the car does not use the same tire size at all four corners.
That means the first fitment step is identifying whether you need a front or rear tire. Keeping the correct stagger matters on a car like the F50, and any replacement should be checked against the wheel's actual width, overall tire dimensions, and available clearance before installation.
What size rim does a 1997 Ferrari F50 use?
The 1997 Ferrari F50 uses 18-inch rims with both of its primary tire sizes. The front 245/35R18 and rear 335/30R18 are both built around an 18-inch wheel diameter, even though the two tires differ substantially in width and profile.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a staggered supercar setup. Wheel width also matters, especially when replacing tires on a vehicle that may have seen wheel changes over time, so it is smart to verify the actual wheel dimensions before selecting a front or rear replacement.
Why does the 1997 Ferrari F50 have more than one tire size?
The 1997 Ferrari F50 uses different front and rear tire sizes because it has a staggered performance-oriented setup. The front position uses 245/35R18, while the rear uses 335/30R18, creating distinct fitment requirements at each end of the car.
For the owner, that means tire selection is tied to axle position rather than trim level. Mixing up front and rear sizing, or trying to treat the F50 like a square setup, can create fitment and appearance issues, so the wheel position and existing wheel package should always be confirmed first.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 245/35R18 tire for a 1997 Ferrari F50?
A 245/35R18 tire for the 1997 Ferrari F50 should first be matched to the front position, correct 18-inch rim diameter, and the wheel's actual width. Available product choice in this size includes a radial Blackwall BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A, so construction and basic appearance are already aligned with a modern performance presentation.
Selection becomes more practical once the fitment basics are confirmed. Compare the tire against the wheel dimensions, preserve the intended front-to-rear stagger with the correct rear companion size, and make sure the car's current suspension, alignment, and clearance conditions still support the original-style setup.
What sidewall styles are available for 1997 Ferrari F50 tires?
Current product coverage for the 1997 Ferrari F50 includes a Blackwall sidewall in the available 245/35R18 fitment. That keeps the visual presentation straightforward and in line with the understated, modern high-performance look typically associated with late-1990s supercar tire styling.
Sidewall appearance still matters on an F50 because the car's wheels and bodywork leave the tire profile highly visible. Even with a simple Blackwall presentation, the more important selection steps are confirming correct front or rear application, matching the wheel dimensions, and preserving the staggered relationship between both ends of the car.
What brands offer tires for the 1997 Ferrari F50?
BFGoodrich is represented in the available product coverage for the 1997 Ferrari F50 through the g-Force Phenom T/A in 245/35R18. That gives the front fitment at least one clearly defined modern radial option within the correct 18-inch sizing format.
Brand choice on a vehicle like the F50 should still start with exact fitment rather than name recognition alone. Confirm whether you are replacing a front or rear tire, verify the wheel dimensions, and compare the available tire's size, load specification, and overall compatibility with the car's present setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1997 Ferrari F50?
A period-style approach for a 1997 Ferrari F50 starts with keeping the correct staggered radial sizing: 245/35R18 in front and 335/30R18 in the rear. Because the F50 is a 1990s supercar rather than an earlier bias-ply-era collector car, the right visual direction usually comes from maintaining the proper low-profile radial proportions.
Appearance and fitment work together on this car, so the tire should suit both the wheel position and the overall stance. Owners pursuing exact historical presentation should compare any replacement choice against marque-specific references and the car's existing wheel setup before settling on a final tire selection.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1997 Ferrari F50 restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters greatly on a 1997 Ferrari F50 restoration because the car's staggered wheel-and-tire relationship is part of both its appearance and its intended road behavior. Using the proper front 245/35R18 and rear 335/30R18 sizes helps preserve the visual balance that defines the car's original-era presentation.
Restoration-minded owners should look beyond the sidewall alone and confirm that wheel diameter, wheel width, and tire proportions remain appropriate to the car. Even a visually similar substitute can change the overall impression, so it is worth checking the existing wheels carefully before choosing replacement tires.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1997 Ferrari F50?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1997 Ferrari F50, especially because the car uses a staggered setup with very different front and rear widths. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered offsets, suspension adjustments, or ride-height changes can all influence clearance and how the tire sits in the wheel opening.
A car of this type should be checked carefully before assuming the original tire sizes still suit its present configuration. Verifying wheel width, front-versus-rear placement, steering clearance, and body clearance is particularly important when the car has been stored, restored, or altered at any point in its life.
What should I inspect before driving a 1997 Ferrari F50 on new tires?
Before driving a 1997 Ferrari F50 on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm that the correct front and rear sizes were installed, and check inflation pressure, bead seating, and valve condition. It is also wise to look over alignment-related wear points and make sure there is no interference at steering lock or normal suspension travel.
Collector and low-use exotic cars can develop issues unrelated to tread depth, including aging rubber elsewhere in the suspension and long periods of inactivity. A careful walkaround and a short, gradual test drive help confirm that the tire setup, wheel condition, and chassis behavior are all working together as expected.
How should 245/35R18 and 335/30R18 tires on a collector 1997 Ferrari F50 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1997 Ferrari F50 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and attention to age as well as tread condition. The front 245/35R18 and rear 335/30R18 sizes should also be monitored separately, since each position has a different role in the car's staggered setup.
Storage habits matter on a low-use supercar. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires, while periodic inspection for cracking, bulges, cuts, or air loss can catch problems early before the car goes back into normal road use.
