1972 Ferrari Tire Fitment Guide

1972 Ferrari vehicles use three sizes across two model families: 205/70R14 for the Ferrari 246, plus 215R15 and 205R15 for Ferrari 365 applications. The 246 size mounts on a 14-inch rim, while both 365 sizes mount on 15-inch rims. Where product fitment details are available, 205/70R14 works with 5.00- to 7.50-inch rim widths depending on the tire, and 205R15 appears on 5.50- to 6.00-inch rims in at least one application.

That means year and make alone are not enough for a confident choice on a 1972 Ferrari. A Dino 246 owner should begin with 205/70R14, while a 365 owner needs to confirm whether the car takes 205R15 or 215R15 before comparing brands or sidewall styles. Checking the wheel itself and any existing fitment history on the car is the fastest way to avoid crossing the 14-inch and 15-inch applications.

On a 1972 Ferrari, 205/70R14 is a metric radial size. The 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On this year and make, that size belongs to the Ferrari 246 rather than the 365 family.

For a buyer, the important takeaway is that this is a modern-style metric radial code with a clearly stated profile, not an older alphanumeric or numeric format. That makes comparisons easier when reviewing tire dimensions and wheel compatibility. If you own a 246, staying within the 14-inch application is the first gate before choosing between blackwall-inspired, redline, or whitewall presentation.

On a 1972 Ferrari, 205R15 is a euro-metric radial size. The 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is printed in the code, this format is conventionally treated as an 80-series radial, which is typical of many period European sizes.

That matters because 205R15 belongs to the Ferrari 365 family and should not be confused with the 246's 14-inch fitment. It also sits beside another 15-inch 365 size, 215R15, so a 365 owner still needs to verify the exact application rather than assuming any 15-inch Ferrari tire will do. Once the correct size is confirmed, sidewall style and speed rating become the next meaningful points of comparison.

1972 Ferrari tire choices cover a wide visual range. In 205/70R14 for the Ferrari 246, available sidewall styles include Narrow Whitewall, RWL, Dual-Redline, and Redline. In 205R15 for Ferrari 365 applications, the choices include Wide Whitewall and Blackwall. That gives owners options that range from a more subdued European-style presentation to a more overt period-custom look.

For authenticity-minded owners, sidewall treatment should match the character of the specific car and the way it will be judged or displayed. A blackwall or restrained redline treatment often aligns more naturally with performance-oriented European sports and GT cars of the era, while wider whitewalls create a distinctly different visual statement. If show correctness matters, compare the chosen sidewall style against period photos, marque references, and the car's market history before deciding.

Four brands cover the currently available 1972 Ferrari sizes: Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Phoenix, and Avon. The 205/70R14 size for the Ferrari 246 is available from Maxxis and BFGoodrich, while 205R15 for certain Ferrari 365 applications is available from Phoenix and Avon. Each brand brings a different combination of sidewall styling and period flavor within those radial sizes.

Brand choice on a 1972 Ferrari is rarely just about the name on the sidewall. It usually comes down to whether you want a cleaner touring look, a sportier visual treatment such as redlines or raised white letters, or a more traditional whitewall presentation. Once the correct size is confirmed, narrowing by sidewall style and any stated speed rating is usually more useful than comparing brands in the abstract.

Within 205R15 for 1972 Ferrari 365 applications, Phoenix and Avon take notably different approaches. The Phoenix European Passenger version uses a Wide Whitewall sidewall style, carries a maximum load of 1,609 pounds at 34 psi, and fits a 5.50- to 6.00-inch rim width range. The Avon Turbosteel uses a Blackwall design and carries a 97V speed rating, which corresponds to a 149 mph ceiling.

That makes the choice less about raw fitment and more about presentation and intended use. Phoenix suits an owner who wants a more traditional whitewall appearance in a 15-inch radial size, while Avon is the more overtly speed-rated option for a 365 owner focused on a cleaner performance look. The right answer depends on how the car is driven, displayed, and judged, not on brand prestige alone.

Rim width depends on the size and sometimes on the specific tire within that size. For 1972 Ferrari 205/70R14 applications, approved rim widths run from 5.00 to 7.50 inches depending on the tire chosen. For 1972 Ferrari 205R15 applications, one available tire fits a 5.50- to 6.00-inch rim width range. All of those figures need to be matched to the exact tire, not generalized across the whole year and make.

That is especially important on a collector Ferrari, where wheel originality and past owner changes do not always line up. A tire that shares the correct diameter can still have a narrower approved wheel range than another tire in the same nominal size. Before mounting, compare the wheel width you actually have with the manufacturer range for the exact tire you want, particularly if the car has aftermarket wheels or a mixed history.

The two Ferrari 365 sizes used in 1972, 205R15 and 215R15, share the same 15-inch rim diameter. That means the diameter itself is not the obstacle when comparing those two sizes on original 365 wheels. The more important question is wheel width, because diameter compatibility does not automatically mean every 15-inch wheel is appropriate for every 15-inch tire.

A 365 owner should treat the original wheel as the starting point, then confirm the exact wheel width before moving between 205R15 and 215R15. That is particularly wise on cars that may have been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels years ago. Staying focused on the actual wheel under the car will do more for a correct setup than relying on year and make alone.

A 1972 Ferrari should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and move the car periodically so the same contact patch is not bearing weight for months at a time. Radial tires generally tolerate storage well, but long static periods can still encourage flat spotting and sidewall aging.

Collectors who store the car seasonally often use wheel cradles or stands to reduce prolonged load, especially if the car will sit through the winter. The goal is not just preserving tread, but preserving casing shape and sidewall condition on a low-mileage vehicle that may see only occasional road use. A simple storage routine pays off the first time the car comes back out for a tour, show, or service visit.

On a 1972 Ferrari, tire age usually matters more than tread wear because collector cars often accumulate miles slowly. A practical rule is to evaluate tires closely once they reach five to seven years of age and to treat around ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration, even if the tread still looks healthy. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the easiest way to confirm age.

That guideline is especially relevant on a vintage Ferrari, where the car may spend more time parked than driven at temperature and speed. Rubber hardens over time, and an older tire can lose the feel and security you want even before visible cracking becomes severe. If the car's tire age is uncertain, checking date codes should happen before planning longer drives or sustained highway use.

Tires on a 1972 Ferrari deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more deliberate inspection before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, embedded debris, and any sign that the tire is losing pressure. Because these cars are often driven infrequently, a problem can develop quietly while the car is parked rather than while it is accumulating mileage.

A few minutes in the garage can prevent a disappointing or unsafe day on the road. Check cold pressures, inspect the spare, and make sure the valve stems are in good condition before a longer trip. On a collector car, the inspection habit matters just as much as tire age, since inactivity, storage conditions, and old wheel hardware can all affect how ready the car is for real use.

The 1972 Ferrari 246 belongs to an era when radial tires were already well established on European performance cars, and its fitment here reflects that with a 205/70R14 radial size. That gives restorers a useful baseline: the car's tire story is rooted in radial construction rather than an earlier bias-ply convention. Original-equipment brand selection could vary by market and delivery details, so size and construction are the safer authenticity anchors than brand alone.

For a restoration, the most important first step is matching the 14-inch radial size and then choosing a sidewall treatment that suits the car's period appearance. If the goal is concours-level accuracy, consult Ferrari club sources, period road tests, and factory literature tied to the car's original market. Those references can help settle details such as sidewall presentation that go beyond basic size and construction.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1972 Ferrari. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the size matches the model, whether the construction type suits the era, and whether the sidewall treatment looks appropriate for the car's intended presentation. A 246 wearing the wrong diameter, or a 365 wearing a sidewall style that clashes with its period character, can stand out quickly even to casual observers.

That does not mean every event uses the same standard, but it does mean tire choice is part of the car's authenticity story. Owners preparing for judged events should confirm the exact model fitment first, then compare sidewall style and overall look against period photographs and marque-specific guidance. Event rules and Ferrari club judging references are the best way to refine those details before the car reaches the field.

For a 1972 Ferrari 246 in 205/70R14, the BFGoodrich Radial T/A uses an RWL sidewall and carries a 93S speed rating, which corresponds to a 112 mph ceiling. The BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial versions come in Redline and Dual-Redline styles, each with a 5.50- to 7.50-inch rim width range and a 1,433-pound maximum load at 35 psi. All are radial tires, but they create very different period cues.

That makes the choice largely a styling and presentation decision within the same basic 246 fitment. A Radial T/A gives the car a more assertive raised-white-letter look associated with later performance tire aesthetics, while the Silvertown options lean into vintage redline character. Owners restoring toward a particular show era or visual theme should choose the sidewall treatment that best matches the car's finished appearance.

1972 Ferrari tires can be appropriate for highway driving when the tire is in good condition, correctly sized, properly inflated, and used within its rating. The speed-rated examples here include an S-rated 205/70R14 with a 112 mph ceiling and a V-rated 205R15 with a 149 mph ceiling. Since all currently summarized sizes are radial, they align with the kind of road use many owners expect from a vintage European performance car.

Real-world safety depends on more than the tire alone. A 1972 Ferrari's brakes, suspension condition, wheel integrity, alignment, and age of rubber all matter at least as much as the speed symbol printed on the sidewall. For most normal highway use, the car's mechanical condition and a careful pre-drive inspection are more important than chasing top-speed potential the road will never safely allow.

Inflation pressure on a 1972 Ferrari should start with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation for the specific model, then be checked against the tire's own rated information. Among the available tires here, 205/70R14 examples carry a maximum load of 1,433 pounds at 35 psi, and one 205R15 example carries 1,609 pounds at 34 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not automatic running-pressure recommendations for every Ferrari application.

The safest approach is to use the original owner's manual or factory placard for baseline inflation, then confirm the chosen reproduction or replacement tire is being used within its own limits. Avoid transferring a pressure figure from a 246 to a 365, or from one 15-inch size to another, simply because the numbers look similar. Correct pressure depends on the exact tire and the exact car under it.

Before a longer drive in a 1972 Ferrari, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, and uneven wear. Verify cold inflation pressure, look closely at the valve stems, and make sure each tire is appropriate to the wheel diameter on the car. Since 1972 Ferrari fitments differ between the 246 and 365, confirming that the car is wearing the correct size is part of the pre-trip check, not just a restoration detail.

Tire readiness should also be treated as one part of a broader vintage-car inspection. Wheel fastener torque, brake condition, fluid levels, lights, and cooling-system health all deserve attention before extended driving in an older Ferrari. Taking a few extra minutes in the garage is far easier than discovering on the road that an aging tire, neglected spare, or old valve stem was the weakest link.