1968 Maserati Tire Fitment Guide

1968 Maserati vehicles use two 15-inch tire sizes: 205R15 and GR70-15. The 205R15 size fits the Ghibli, Mexico, Mistral, Quattroporte, and Sebring, while GR70-15 applies to the Ghibli only. Rim width guidance is available for both sizes where marked: 205R15 appears on 5.50- to 6.00-inch rims, and GR70-15 appears on 7.0- to 8.0-inch rims depending on the exact tire.

That means year and make alone are almost enough for most 1968 Maserati buyers, but the Ghibli owner needs to be more specific. If you have a Mexico, Mistral, Quattroporte, or Sebring, 205R15 is the size to focus on. If you have a Ghibli, confirm the wheel width before choosing between the two 15-inch sizes, because the diameter is shared but the wheel-width requirements are not the same.

On a 1968 Maserati, 205R15 is a euro-metric radial size. The 205 refers to a nominal section width of 205 millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is printed in the size itself, it follows the older euro-metric convention commonly understood as an 80-series profile.

This is the core size shared by every 1968 Maserati model covered here, so it is the most broadly applicable fitment in the range. It suits buyers who want one cross-model starting point, then refine the choice by sidewall appearance and product details. On these cars, the next decision is less about basic diameter and more about whether you want a blackwall or wide whitewall presentation and which rim width your wheel actually measures.

Not quite. Four of the five model lines stay with one size, 205R15, but the 1968 Maserati Ghibli also has GR70-15 as an additional 15-inch option. That makes 205R15 the shared size across the year, while GR70-15 is specific to the Ghibli.

For a buyer, that difference matters because a Ghibli can move into a more specialized late-1960s performance-style radial, while the Mexico, Mistral, Quattroporte, and Sebring remain centered on one fitment path. If you are unsure which Maserati you have, identify the model before comparing products. Once the model is confirmed, the tire choice becomes much more straightforward and you can focus on wheel width, sidewall style, and driving expectations.

1968 Maserati tires span several sidewall treatments depending on size. In 205R15, the choices include a blackwall radial and a wide whitewall radial. In GR70-15 for the Ghibli, the available sidewalls move toward late-1960s and early-1970s performance styling, with pin-white-stripe and raised white letter versions.

Sidewall style can change the personality of the car even when the wheel diameter stays the same. A blackwall usually gives a more restrained sporting appearance, a wide whitewall leans formal and traditional, and a pin stripe or raised white letter look suits a more aggressive period presentation. Matching the sidewall to the character of your specific 1968 Maserati is often just as important visually as choosing the correct size.

1968 Maserati vehicles are covered by Phoenix, Avon, and Goodyear across the two available sizes. The shared 205R15 size is available from Phoenix and Avon, while the Ghibli-only GR70-15 size is available from Goodyear. All of those options stay within radial construction, though the Goodyear GR70-15 products use a bias-look radial presentation.

That brand split helps narrow the decision quickly. If your Maserati uses 205R15, you can choose between a more formal whitewall look and a blackwall high-speed touring look. If your car is a Ghibli and you want GR70-15, the choice centers more on Goodyear sidewall appearance than on changing brands. Either way, brand selection should follow the correct size and wheel-width range, not the other way around.

Both Avon and Phoenix cover the 205R15 size for 1968 Maserati applications, but they present the car differently. The Phoenix version is a wide whitewall radial with a 5.50- to 6.00-inch rim range and a 1,609-pound load rating at 34 psi. The Avon Turbosteel is a blackwall radial in the same base size, carries a 97V marking, and also reaches 1,609 pounds of load capacity.

That makes the real distinction visual and use-oriented rather than dimensional. A buyer restoring a more formal period look may gravitate toward the Phoenix whitewall, while someone seeking a cleaner high-speed touring appearance may prefer the Avon blackwall. Since only the Phoenix version includes a published rim-width range here, wheel measurement becomes especially important when comparing these two 205R15 approaches on a 1968 Maserati.

Rim width depends on the size you choose. In 205R15, the published rim range is 5.50 to 6.00 inches. In GR70-15, the published ranges run from 7.0 to 8.0 inches, with some versions marked 7.50 to 8.0 inches and one version marked at 8 inches.

That spread is the strongest reason to measure your wheels before ordering, especially on a 1968 Maserati Ghibli where both sizes are 15-inch but not intended for the same width range. A wheel can be the right diameter and still be mismatched in width for the tire you want. Confirm the actual wheel size stamped on the rim or measured bead-to-bead, then choose the tire whose approved range matches it.

Original 1968 Maserati wheels can potentially be used with both available sizes only where the wheel diameter is 15 inches and the width suits the chosen tire. Both 205R15 and GR70-15 mount on 15-inch rims, so diameter compatibility is shared. Width compatibility is where the two sizes separate, with 205R15 on narrower published ranges and GR70-15 on noticeably wider ones.

That means the answer depends heavily on the specific wheel fitted to the car, not just on the fact that both tires are 15-inch. A Mexico, Mistral, Quattroporte, or Sebring owner will generally remain within the 205R15 path. A Ghibli owner considering GR70-15 should verify wheel width first, because using a tire outside its approved rim range can affect shape, handling feel, and appearance.

A 1968 Maserati should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that accelerate rubber aging. Keep the tires properly inflated, clean off road film, and avoid long periods on damp concrete if possible. Radials generally tolerate static storage better than bias-ply tires, but any collector-car tire can flat-spot temporarily or age prematurely if the car sits too long in poor conditions.

For seasonal storage, move the car periodically or place it on stands if it will sit for an extended period. That helps reduce stress on one contact patch and protects both the tires and suspension. A breathable car cover and stable indoor temperatures help the entire vehicle, but tire care still matters because a beautiful 1968 Maserati can be let down quickly by sidewall cracking or long-set deformation.

Tire life on a 1968 Maserati is usually determined more by age than by mileage. Collector cars often cover very few miles, so tread depth can look healthy long after the rubber has begun to harden. A good rule is to evaluate tires closely once they reach five to seven years of age, and to give serious replacement consideration around the ten-year mark regardless of remaining tread.

The manufacturing date code on the tire is one part of that decision, but storage history and visible condition matter too. A car kept indoors and driven regularly can age more gracefully than one that sits neglected, yet time still wins in the end. On an older grand touring car like a 1968 Maserati, fresh tires can restore ride quality and confidence even when the old ones do not look badly worn.

Tires on a 1968 Maserati deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more thorough check before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and slow air loss. Pressure should be checked cold, and the spare should not be forgotten if the car still carries one for touring use.

A brief routine catches problems before they become expensive or dangerous, especially on a car that may sit for weeks between drives. During a more thorough inspection, pay attention to valve stems and how the tire is wearing across the tread, since those clues can point to inflation or alignment issues. Collector cars often mask tire age because they are driven gently, so inspection frequency matters more than mileage accumulation.

A 1968 Maserati Ghibli would have been associated with period radial sizing in the 15-inch range, and the fitments here are 205R15 and GR70-15. By the late 1960s, Maserati occupied an upscale European grand touring market where radial construction was increasingly important, especially compared with earlier decades dominated by bias-ply designs. No single original-equipment brand should be assumed without checking period literature for the exact car.

For restoration work, size, construction type, and sidewall presentation matter more than simply finding any tire that fits. A concours-minded owner should compare the car against factory manuals, original brochures, and marque-club guidance, because export-market differences and running changes can affect what is considered most authentic. That is particularly true for the Ghibli, where the choice between 205R15 and GR70-15 can influence the car's visual stance and period character.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1968 Maserati, especially in marque-focused or originality-driven judging. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the tire size, construction type, and sidewall style suit the era and the model's intended presentation. A blackwall, whitewall, pin stripe, or raised white letter tire can each tell a different story about the car, even when the wheel diameter is correct.

That does not mean there is only one acceptable answer for every event, but it does mean the tire should support the restoration's goal. A touring car restored for period elegance may call for a different visual treatment than a Ghibli restored with a more aggressive late-1960s image in mind. Event rules vary, so the safest path is to confirm expectations with the hosting organization or a Maserati specialist before final judging.

The GR70-15 Goodyear choices for a 1968 Maserati Ghibli share the same base size and 15-inch rim diameter, but they differ in sidewall treatment, weight, and approved wheel-width range. Pin-white-stripe versions appear in the GM Custom Tread and Steelgard families, while raised white letter versions appear in Steelgard and Power GM Custom Tread form. Published rim ranges also vary from 7.0 to 8.0 inches, 7.50 to 8.0 inches, and a single 8-inch application depending on the exact tire.

That makes these more than simple cosmetic variations. A sidewall style can shift the Ghibli's appearance from restrained grand tourer to a bolder period performance theme, while the wheel-width range determines whether a particular tire is even appropriate for the wheel you have. When authenticity is the goal, compare old photographs, sales literature, and club guidance so the tire's visual language matches the way you want the car to be interpreted.

1968 Maserati tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, in sound condition, and operated within their intended limits. The 205R15 range includes an Avon version with a V speed rating, which corresponds to 149 mph, while the other products here do not carry a published speed letter in the size marking. All of the available fitments are radial designs, including the bias-look radial GR70-15 choices for the Ghibli.

On a classic Maserati, tire condition and vehicle condition matter just as much as the size itself. A fresh radial tire on a car with aging suspension bushings, weak shocks, or neglected brakes will not make the whole package safe at speed. Highway use should begin with honest assessment of the entire vehicle, and sustained speed should reflect not only the tire's rating but the car's age, setup, and mechanical readiness.

Inflation pressure on a 1968 Maserati should follow the factory recommendation for the specific model and the tire maker's guidance for the exact product. One 205R15 tire here carries a load figure of 1,609 pounds at 34 psi, but that should not be treated as a universal operating pressure for every 205R15 or every Maserati model. GR70-15 products here do not all carry the same published load-and-pressure information in the size description.

The practical approach is to start with the car's original handbook or factory placard if available, then compare that with the tire manufacturer's published recommendation for the reproduction or replacement tire you are using. Pressure affects steering feel, ride quality, and tread wear, so guessing can make a fine-driving Maserati feel nervous or heavy. Keep left and right pressures matched unless the manufacturer or factory literature says otherwise.

Before a longer drive in a 1968 Maserati, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation pressure. Check the valve stems, confirm that the spare is usable, and make sure wheel fasteners are secure to the proper specification for the car. A longer trip is also the right time to look for signs of rubbing or clearance issues if the car has had wheel or suspension changes at any point in its life.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive routine on an Italian collector car of this era. Brakes, cooling system, belts, hoses, and fluid levels deserve the same attention, because a touring car that feels wonderful for twenty miles can quickly expose deferred maintenance over a full day on the road. A careful inspection beforehand usually does more for peace of mind than carrying a trunk full of spare parts.