In 1962 Maserati balanced grand touring sophistication with serious performance, offering elegant road cars that reflected the marque’s racing-bred character without losing its Italian luxury appeal. The range for that year stretched from the established 3500 to the newer Sebring and the larger, more exclusive 5000, and tire choice varies in ways that matter depending on which model you own. Across three models, four tire sizes appear, with some cars using metric radials, one model pairing radial and bias-ply 16-inch options, and the 3500 using millimetric fitments of its own. Before choosing a tire for 1962 Maserati, confirm the exact model first, then verify whether you need period-style bias-ply construction or a radial size matched to the original wheel.
Which Tire Size Is Right for Your 1962 Maserati
Four tire sizes are used across 1962 Maserati models, and they are not shared universally across the full range. The real decision starts with identifying your model and confirming whether it uses 400mm or 16-inch wheels, then deciding between bias-ply and radial construction where both were used on the same model family. Understanding that distinction before choosing a product saves time and helps match the tire to the car correctly.
185-400 is a millimetric radial size used specifically on the 1962 Maserati 3500, with a nominal section width of 185 millimeters and a 400mm rim diameter. This size appears alongside another 400mm radial fitment on the same model family, though product coverage is centered on the 185R400 version. It suits a 3500 owner who needs the original millimetric wheel standard rather than a 16-inch fitment and wants to stay with radial construction appropriate to the car’s grand touring character.
185R400 is a millimetric radial size used specifically on the 1962 Maserati 3500, with 185 millimeters as the nominal section width, radial construction, and a 400mm rim diameter. Michelin offers this size in a blackwall configuration, and it is a tube-type tire with an S speed rating, good for speeds up to 112 mph. This is the direct choice for 3500 owners retaining the original 400mm wheel format and seeking a correct-style radial rather than converting to a different wheel standard.
Year(s): 1962|Fit(s): 5000, Sebring|Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
185R16 is a radial size for 16-inch wheels, with a nominal section width of 185 millimeters and the traditional euro-metric profile convention commonly associated with this format. Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein offer it as a blackwall tire, and tube type and speed rating vary by product: Michelin is an S-rated tube-type tire at 112 mph, while Avon and Vredestein are V-rated choices at 149 mph. This size fits the 1962 Maserati 5000 and Sebring and is the natural direction for owners who want a 16-inch radial with touring-road use in mind.
Year(s): 1962|Fit(s): 5000|Construction: Bias Ply|Rim: 16 in
650-16 is a numeric bias-ply size used specifically on the 1962 Maserati 5000, where 6.50 indicates the nominal section width and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield offer this size, with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles available. This is the better fit for a 5000 owner focused on period-correct bias-ply appearance and feel on the proper 16-inch wheel, rather than the road manners associated with a radial.
Three Maserati models are covered for 1962, and tire choice varies by model rather than carrying across the whole range. That matters because the 3500 uses millimetric 400mm radial sizes, the Sebring uses a 16-inch radial, and the 5000 can point you toward either a 16-inch radial or a 16-inch bias-ply depending on the wheel and restoration direction. Select a model below to narrow the fitment history and see the products that match it.
1962 Maserati 3500
The 3500 was Maserati’s established grand tourer in 1962, known for combining refined Italian coachwork with the engineering seriousness expected from the marque. Its tires mount on 400mm wheels, which is an important distinction from the 16-inch fitments used elsewhere in the range and one of the first things a 3500 owner should confirm before choosing tires.
The 5000 represented Maserati at its most exclusive and imposing, built as a large-displacement grand touring car with a very different character from the smaller six-cylinder models. Its tires mount on 16-inch wheels, and this model is the one place in the 1962 Maserati range where both radial and bias-ply directions come into play depending on the car’s wheel setup and restoration goals.
The Sebring was Maserati’s newer coupe entry in 1962, carrying the company’s GT tradition into a slightly more modern and streamlined package. Its tire fitment centers on 16-inch wheels with a radial size that suits the car’s continental grand touring role without crossing into the larger wheel standard used on the 3500.
Twenty-three products are available across four tire sizes for 1962 Maserati vehicles. 185R400 is a Michelin radial blackwall, 185R16 includes three radial blackwalls from Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, and 650-16 spans 19 bias-ply choices from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield in blackwall and wide whitewall styles. Confirm size, wheel standard, and construction first, since tube requirements and speed ratings can vary within a size.
These FAQs sort out the key 1962 Maserati tire questions: how the 3500, 5000, and Sebring differ, when a millimetric radial or 16-inch tire applies, and how construction, sidewall style, storage, and road use affect a collector car.
Size Basics & Fitment
What tire sizes fit 1962 Maserati vehicles?
1962 Maserati vehicles use four sizes across three models: 185-400 and 185R400 for the Maserati 3500, 185R16 for the Maserati 5000 and Sebring, and 650-16 for the Maserati 5000. The 3500 sizes mount on 400mm wheels, while the 5000 and Sebring use 16-inch wheels. Rim width guidance is available for 185R400 at 5.00 to 6.50 inches, for 185R16 at 4.50 to 6.00 inches on one product and 5.0 to 6.5 inches on another, and for 650-16 at 4.50 to 5.00 inches on the products that specify it.
The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough for a 1962 Maserati tire decision. Start by confirming whether you have a 3500, 5000, or Sebring, then confirm whether the car is on 400mm or 16-inch wheels before looking at construction or sidewall style. That step prevents the most common ordering mistake on early European grand touring cars, where similar-looking tire codes can belong to completely different wheel standards.
What does 185R400 mean on a 1962 Maserati tire?
On a 1962 Maserati, 185R400 is a millimetric radial size. The 185 refers to a nominal section width of 185 millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 400 is the rim diameter in millimeters rather than inches. On the 3500, that means the tire is meant for a 400mm wheel, not a 16-inch wheel, even though the two can seem close at a glance to buyers more familiar with modern inch-based sizing.
That distinction matters because a 400mm tire and a 16-inch tire are not interchangeable. A 3500 owner should verify the wheel standard already on the car before choosing between millimetric options, especially on a restored car that may have changed hands several times. If the car still retains its original-style wheel setup, 185R400 is the radial format that keeps the fitment in the proper millimetric family.
Do all 1962 Maserati models use the same tire size?
No, 1962 Maserati models do not all use the same tire size. The 3500 uses millimetric 400mm radial sizes, the Sebring uses 185R16, and the 5000 can use either 185R16 radial or 650-16 bias-ply depending on the wheel and setup direction. That split reflects real differences in wheel standard and tire construction across the model range rather than minor variation within one shared fitment.
For a buyer, that means the model badge matters before anything else. A tire search for a 1962 Maserati should always begin by separating a 3500 from a 5000 or Sebring, then narrowing from there by wheel diameter and construction style. Once you know the exact model, the choice becomes much clearer and you can compare sidewall appearance, brand options, and road-use priorities more effectively.
Buying the Right Tire
Should I choose the 185R16 or the 650-16 for my 1962 Maserati?
For a 1962 Maserati, that choice applies to the Maserati 5000, where both 185R16 radial and 650-16 bias-ply fitments appear. The 185R16 is the radial path on a 16-inch wheel and is available from Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein as blackwall tires. The 650-16 is a bias-ply 16-inch size available from BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield, with both blackwall and wide whitewall styles in the mix.
The decision usually comes down to whether you are preserving a more period-authentic bias-ply look and feel or moving toward radial construction for regular road use. Either way, confirm the actual wheel on the car before choosing, because construction preference does not override wheel size or wheel standard. On a 5000 that has seen restoration changes over time, that check is especially important.
What sidewall styles are available for 1962 Maserati tires?
Sidewall style depends on the size used on your 1962 Maserati. The radial sizes 185R400 and 185R16 are available as blackwall tires, which is also the format associated with the 3500 and Sebring radial fitments. The 650-16 bias-ply size used on the 5000 opens up both blackwall and wide whitewall choices through BFGoodrich, Firestone, Garfield, and Coker Classic.
That means sidewall appearance is straightforward on the radial-equipped cars and more of a styling decision on a 5000 running 650-16 bias-ply tires. If the car is being restored for period presentation, sidewall style should be weighed alongside construction and wheel choice rather than treated as a cosmetic afterthought. Event standards can vary, so serious show owners should compare their planned look with marque-specific references.
What brands make tires for 1962 Maserati vehicles?
Six brands cover 1962 Maserati tire sizes: Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield. Michelin supplies both the 185R400 millimetric radial for the 3500 and one version of the 185R16 radial. Avon and Vredestein also cover 185R16, while BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, and Garfield offer 650-16 bias-ply options for the 5000.
Brand choice follows size choice more than model choice on this year of Maserati. Once the correct size is confirmed, buyers can compare whether they want a traditional blackwall radial in a European-style fitment or a classic bias-ply option with blackwall or wide whitewall presentation. That is a more useful way to shop than starting with brand alone, because no single brand spans every 1962 Maserati size.
Fitting & Setup
What rim width do 1962 Maserati tires require?
Rim width recommendations vary by tire size on 1962 Maserati vehicles. The 185R400 radial fits rims from 5.00 to 6.50 inches wide. The 185R16 radial appears with a 4.50 to 6.00 inch rim width range on one product and a 5.0 to 6.5 inch range on another, while 650-16 bias-ply products that specify rim width call for 4.50 to 5.00 inch rims.
That spread is wide enough that wheel measurement should be part of the decision, especially on a car that may have aftermarket or later replacement wheels. Do not assume every tire in the same nominal size wants the same rim width. Checking the wheel before ordering helps keep the sidewall shape, contact patch, and overall stance in the range intended by the tire maker.
Do 1962 Maserati tires require inner tubes?
Tube requirements vary by size and product on 1962 Maserati applications. The 185R400 Michelin radial is a tube-type tire, and the Michelin 185R16 radial is also marked tube type. Within 185R16, tube status varies by product because the Avon and Vredestein versions are not marked the same way, while the 650-16 bias-ply products shown here do not carry a tube marking in the size field.
The best approach is to confirm the exact sidewall marking on the specific tire you intend to run and match that to the wheel design on the car. Tube decisions matter for both safety and authenticity, particularly on older European wheels. If your Maserati still has original or long-stored wheels, inspect the rims and valve stem arrangement at the same time rather than treating the tube question separately.
Maintenance, Storage & Longevity
How should I store a 1962 Maserati when the tires are fitted?
A 1962 Maserati should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone sources that age rubber. If the car sits for extended periods, moving it slightly from time to time helps avoid flat-spotting. Bias-ply tires such as 650-16 tend to show storage flat spots more readily than radial tires, while all collector tires benefit from protection against moisture and long-term UV exposure.
Owners who store the car for an entire season often use tire cradles or place the vehicle on stands if the suspension and chassis are supported correctly. That can be especially helpful on a heavier grand touring car like a Maserati 5000. Whatever method you choose, keep the tires clean, avoid petroleum-based dressings, and check pressure before putting the car back into regular service.
How long do tires on a 1962 Maserati typically last?
On a 1962 Maserati, tire age matters more than mileage because collector cars often cover limited annual distance. A good rule is to begin careful evaluation when tires reach about five to seven years of age and to treat roughly ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration, regardless of remaining tread. The DOT date code and the tire’s overall condition together give the clearest picture of service age.
That matters because a lightly driven grand tourer can wear its tires very slowly while the rubber still hardens over time. Sidewall checking, changes in ride quality, and persistent air loss are all signs that age is becoming more important than tread depth. If your 1962 Maserati is driven on occasional tours rather than around-town errands, replacing older tires proactively is usually a smarter plan than stretching calendar age.
How often should tires on a 1962 Maserati be inspected?
Tires on a 1962 Maserati should be inspected before every drive and given a more thorough check before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any sign that the tire is not holding pressure consistently. If the car uses a tube-type tire, the valve stem area and tube-related air retention deserve extra attention because a collector car can lose pressure slowly while sitting.
A quick visual inspection takes only a minute but can catch the issues that matter most on a vintage GT car. For touring use, include the spare in the same routine because an old but unused spare may be less trustworthy than the tires already on the ground. Regular inspection is one of the simplest ways to protect the car, the wheels, and the driving experience.
Restoration & Authenticity
What tires were originally fitted to the 1962 Maserati 3500?
The 1962 Maserati 3500 belongs to an era when radial fitments were already part of the European grand touring landscape, and its tire family centers on 185-400 and 185R400 millimetric radial sizes. Those sizes point directly to the 400mm wheel standard associated with the model rather than a 16-inch alternative. Michelin remains one of the recognizable names in that millimetric radial format, but original-market details can still vary by destination and delivery specification.
For restoration work, the most important step is preserving the correct wheel standard and the correct style of tire construction for the car’s period. If your 3500 is being judged, even a visually similar inch-based tire can be an obvious authenticity miss once the wheel and sidewall markings are examined closely. Marque clubs and period service literature are the best final check for market-specific originality.
Does correct tire fitment matter for showing a 1962 Maserati?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1962 Maserati because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction type, wheel standard, and sidewall presentation very quickly. A 3500 on the wrong wheel format, a 5000 wearing a tire style that does not suit the restoration approach, or an era-inappropriate sidewall treatment can all pull the car away from an authentic presentation. On European collector cars, these details affect both stance and visual credibility.
That does not mean every show car needs the same answer, but it does mean the tire should match the goal of the build. A touring-focused Maserati may sensibly run a radial in the proper size, while a concours-minded restoration may place more weight on preserving original-style construction and appearance. Event rules vary, so it is wise to check club guidance before finalizing the tire choice.
What tires were originally fitted to the 1962 Maserati 5000?
The 1962 Maserati 5000 sits in a period where bias-ply and radial thinking could overlap depending on market expectations, wheel setup, and restoration direction, and its fitment range includes both 650-16 bias-ply and 185R16 radial sizes. Both mount on 16-inch wheels, but they represent different construction approaches and a different visual and driving character. No single original-equipment brand should be assumed without checking the specific car’s history.
For an owner restoring a 5000, the key question is whether the car is being returned to a period-style bias-ply presentation or set up around a radial 16-inch tire more consistent with road use preferences. Because these cars are rare and often restored individually, checking surviving wheel equipment and marque references is especially important. The tire should support the restoration story the car is trying to tell.
Safety & Road Use
Are 1962 Maserati tires safe for highway driving?
1962 Maserati tires can be appropriate for highway driving when they are the correct size, in good condition, and used within their speed and load capabilities. The 185R400 Michelin radial carries an S rating, which corresponds to 112 mph. Within 185R16, Michelin is S-rated at 112 mph, while Avon and Vredestein are V-rated at 149 mph. The 650-16 bias-ply options shown here do not carry speed letters in the same way, so road use should be approached with the expectations appropriate to a period-style bias-ply tire.
In real-world collector use, the limiting factor is often the car itself rather than the number stamped on the tire. Brakes, suspension condition, alignment, and steering behavior all matter on a 1962 grand touring car. A well-sorted Maserati on the correct tire can be a satisfying highway machine, but long-distance confidence starts with condition, inflation, and an honest match between the tire’s construction and the way the car will be driven.
What inflation pressure should I use for 1962 Maserati tires?
Inflation pressure on a 1962 Maserati depends on the exact size and the specific tire chosen. Vredestein’s 185R16 carries a load figure of 1,433 pounds at 51 psi, while several 650-16 bias-ply tires carry 1,580 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures are part of the tire’s own load-and-pressure relationship and should not be treated as a universal operating pressure for every 1962 Maserati application.
The best practice is to start with the vehicle manufacturer’s original recommendation for the model and then compare it with the tire maker’s guidance for the exact reproduction or specialty tire being used. Do not transfer a pressure figure from a 650-16 bias-ply to an 185R16 radial, or from a 16-inch tire to a 400mm tire. Construction, load carrying, and casing design all affect the right inflation approach.
What should I check before taking a 1962 Maserati on a longer drive?
Before a longer drive in a 1962 Maserati, inspect each tire for visible cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, then check that the spare is usable and the valve stems are in sound condition. If the car runs a tube-type tire such as the Michelin 185R400 or Michelin 185R16, pay extra attention to slow leaks and stem condition. Tire age matters as much as tread depth on a low-use collector car.
That tire check should be part of a broader pre-drive review that includes brakes, cooling, fluid levels, steering, and charging system health. A vintage Maserati can cover ground beautifully when sorted, but the distance between a pleasant tour and a roadside problem is often just one neglected component. Tires are the car’s contact patch, so they deserve the same attention as the engine and chassis before any meaningful trip.
