1973 Ferrari Tire Fitment Guide

1973 Ferrari vehicles use two different tire sizes depending on model. The Ferrari 246 uses 205/70R14 radial tires on 14-inch rims, while the Ferrari 365 uses 215/70R15 radial tires on 15-inch rims. For 205/70R14, rim-width ranges run from 5.00 to 7.50 inches depending on the tire. For 215/70R15, rim-width ranges run from 5.5 to 7.5 inches on products where rim-width guidance is given.

The practical takeaway is that 1973 Ferrari fitment starts with model identification, not sidewall style or brand preference. A 246 and a 365 are not interchangeable from a tire-size standpoint, and the wheel diameter difference is the key reason. Once you confirm the model, you can choose among the sidewall treatments and product types that suit your restoration goals and driving habits.

On a 1973 Ferrari, 205/70R14 is a metric radial size. The 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the 70 is the aspect ratio, the R indicates radial construction, and the 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On 1973 Ferrari applications, this size belongs to the 246 rather than the 365.

That code matters because it tells you both the tire's proportions and the wheel size it fits. For a 246 owner, it also explains why products in this size can look quite different even when the basic dimensions are the same: some are styled with redlines, some with RWL lettering, and some with whitewalls. Matching the code first keeps the search centered on the correct fitment before you decide how original or customized you want the car to appear.

On a 1973 Ferrari, 215/70R15 is a metric radial size. The 215 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the 70 is the aspect ratio, the R identifies radial construction, and the 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. For 1973 Ferrari fitment, this size is used on the 365 rather than the 246.

Reading that code correctly is important because it separates the larger Ferrari grand touring fitment from the smaller Dino-based car's 14-inch setup. It also helps explain why some 215/70R15 choices are oriented toward classic appearance and others carry higher speed ratings. Once the 365's 15-inch wheel size is confirmed, you can compare blackwall, whitewall, and raised-white-letter options without crossing into the wrong fitment family.

1973 Ferrari tires come in a wider range of sidewall styles than many buyers expect. In 205/70R14 for the Ferrari 246, choices include narrow whitewall, RWL, redline, and dual redline. In 215/70R15 for the Ferrari 365, choices include RWL, wide whitewall, and blackwall. That means sidewall appearance changes not only by personal taste, but also by which model and wheel size you own.

For most Ferrari restorations of this era, blackwall or subtle period-style performance sidewalls usually align more naturally with the marque's sporting character than a broad American-style whitewall. That said, sidewall choice is often driven by how the car is being presented: concours-correct, vintage road use, or personalized show display. If authenticity matters, compare your car's market, wheels, and restoration target before settling on a sidewall style.

Four brands cover 1973 Ferrari fitments across the two sizes: Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Cooper, Dunlop, and Avon, with BFGoodrich appearing in both size groups. The Ferrari 246's 205/70R14 options come from Maxxis and BFGoodrich. The Ferrari 365's 215/70R15 options come from Cooper, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, and Avon. Each brand brings a different visual character, from traditional styling cues to more performance-oriented blackwall designs.

Brand choice on a 1973 Ferrari is usually less about basic fitment than about the kind of car you are presenting. A 246 owner may focus on whether redline, dual redline, whitewall, or RWL best suits the car's finish and era feel. A 365 owner may be weighing a more touring-oriented visual style against a blackwall radial with a higher speed rating. Start with the correct size, then compare brand character within that size.

For the 1973 Ferrari 365, both Dunlop Sport Classic and Avon CR6ZZ are available in 215/70R15 and both use blackwall radial construction, but they are not identical. The Dunlop carries a 98W marking, which corresponds to a 168 mph speed ceiling, and its load figure reaches 1,653 pounds. The Avon carries a 98V marking, which corresponds to a 149 mph speed ceiling, and fits rims from 5.5 to 7.0 inches.

In practical terms, both appeal to owners who want a blackwall radial with a performance-oriented presentation, but their details matter if you are choosing with wheel width or speed rating in mind. The Dunlop leans toward the higher stated speed ceiling, while the Avon gives a clear rim-width guideline within the 365's size. Either way, the decision should be made after confirming the car is a 365 on 15-inch wheels rather than a 246.

Rim-width guidance for 1973 Ferrari tires depends on the size and, in some cases, the individual tire. In 205/70R14 for the Ferrari 246, fitment spans from 5.00 to 7.50 inches depending on the product. In 215/70R15 for the Ferrari 365, fitment spans from 5.5 to 7.5 inches where rim-width recommendations are given. Those ranges should not be mixed between sizes because the cars use different wheel diameters.

That makes wheel confirmation just as important as tire-size confirmation. A car can have replacement wheels fitted over the years, so it is smart to verify the actual wheel width on the car before ordering. Staying within the tire's approved rim-width range helps preserve the intended profile, steering response, and tread contact patch instead of forcing the tire onto a wheel that is too narrow or too wide.

The current 1973 Ferrari tire options shown in these sizes do not carry tube-type markings in the size descriptions, and both fitments are modern radial designs. That strongly points toward tubeless-style applications for the tires themselves, although the final answer also depends on the wheel design and condition on the specific car. A reproduction radial can still require a tube if the wheel itself is not suitable for tubeless service.

The safest approach is to inspect the wheel, valve-stem arrangement, and sealing surfaces before making the final setup decision. Older or restored wheels can have age, corrosion, or design details that change what is appropriate. If the car has original wheels and there is any doubt, a Ferrari specialist or wheel-restoration expert can confirm whether the wheel should be run tubeless or with a tube matched to the tire and rim.

A 1973 Ferrari should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that accelerate rubber aging. Keep the tires at proper pressure, avoid prolonged contact with standing moisture, and move the car periodically so one section of tread is not carrying the same load for months at a time. Radial tires generally tolerate storage better than old-style bias-ply tires, but they still age when left static and exposed.

If the car will sit for a long season, many collectors either roll it slightly every few weeks or place it on stands while supporting the suspension appropriately. That helps reduce temporary flat spotting and lessens stress on the carcass. For a Ferrari that may only see occasional road use, storage habits have a direct effect on ride quality, sidewall condition, and how much confidence you have the next time the car comes out for a drive.

Tires on a 1973 Ferrari should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage. A useful rule is to begin evaluating them closely once they reach about five to seven years old, then give serious replacement consideration as they approach ten years, even if the tread still looks deep. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the starting point for that timeline.

Collector Ferraris often accumulate low annual mileage, which can make old tires look healthier than they really are. Rubber hardens over time, internal materials age, and a tire that appears fine in the garage may not behave the same way on the road. If a 1973 Ferrari is driven briskly or taken on longer trips, age becomes even more important because the car's capabilities can expose weaknesses that short local drives might never reveal.

Tires on a 1973 Ferrari should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing or event weekend. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, embedded debris, and signs of pressure loss. It is also wise to check the valve stems and confirm that the spare, if carried, is still serviceable and properly inflated.

That routine matters because collector cars often spend more time parked than driven, and age-related issues can develop between outings. A quick inspection takes only a few minutes but can catch a problem before it becomes a vibration, a slow leak, or a roadside interruption. On a 1973 Ferrari, the tires are also part of the car's steering feel and road manners, so staying ahead of wear and pressure changes helps preserve how the car is meant to drive.

A 1973 Ferrari 246 would have been delivered in the radial era, and the correct fitment family for this model is 205/70R14. That makes radial construction the right starting point for a restoration-minded owner, even though sidewall appearance can still vary widely among modern reproduction and specialty options. Original-equipment brand details can vary by market and period, so the key authentic markers are size, construction type, and era-appropriate visual presentation.

For a serious restoration, use 205/70R14 as the foundation and then narrow the choice by the look you want the car to present on the lawn or the road. A marque club, period road test, or factory literature can help confirm whether a specific sidewall treatment suits your exact car and market. That extra step matters with Ferrari because regional delivery differences and later wheel changes can complicate what appears correct at first glance.

Correct tire fitment matters a great deal when showing a 1973 Ferrari because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction, wheel diameter, and sidewall appearance quickly. A Ferrari 246 wearing 15-inch 365-size tires, or a 365 wearing 14-inch 246-size tires, would be an obvious mismatch. Less dramatic differences, such as a sidewall treatment that feels out of character for the model, can also affect the car's visual authenticity.

For judged events, the safest path is to match the correct model-specific size first and then choose the sidewall style that best suits the restoration target. Event standards differ, so a local concours, Ferrari club event, and preservation-class show may not all look at tires the same way. If points matter, confirm the expectations with the event organizer or a Ferrari marque specialist before finalizing the tire choice.

For the 1973 Ferrari 246, BFGoodrich offers 205/70R14 Silvertown Radial versions in both redline and dual redline form. Both are radial tires in the same size with the same 14-inch wheel diameter and the same 1,433-pound-at-35-psi load figure, and both fit rims from 5.50 to 7.50 inches. The main distinction is visual presentation rather than dimensional fitment.

That makes the decision largely one of period style and how you want the 246 to read at a glance. A single redline offers a traditional sporty accent, while a dual redline creates a more distinctive custom-era look. Because both share the same basic fitment envelope, owners can focus on restoration intent, wheel finish, and overall presentation without changing the underlying size needed for the car.

1973 Ferrari tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size for the model, in sound condition, and used within their stated ratings. The 205/70R14 fitment includes an S-rated option with a 112 mph ceiling, while the 215/70R15 fitment includes V-rated and W-rated options with 149 mph and 168 mph ceilings on certain products. Those figures are well above normal U.S. highway speeds, but age, inflation, and condition matter just as much as the rating itself.

On a vintage Ferrari, the car's overall mechanical condition often becomes the real limiting factor before the tire's speed symbol does. Suspension freshness, alignment, brakes, and steering condition all influence how confidently the car handles sustained road use. If the car has older tires, an unknown service history, or has been parked for long stretches, solve those issues first rather than assuming the speed rating alone makes the setup road-ready.

Inflation pressure on a 1973 Ferrari should start with the factory vehicle recommendation for the exact model and then be checked against the tire's own load-and-pressure information. In 205/70R14, several options carry a maximum load of 1,433 pounds at 35 psi. In 215/70R15, load figures include 1,620 pounds at 35 psi and 1,653 pounds on a Dunlop Sport Classic. Those are tire capacity references, not universal set-and-forget running pressures for every Ferrari application.

The important point is not to borrow a pressure figure from another size or another model just because both are 1973 Ferraris. A 246 and a 365 have different fitments and different vehicle characteristics, and even within one size the tire brand may influence how the car feels at a given pressure. Use the owner's manual or factory placard as the baseline, then fine-tune within the tire maker's limits if needed.

Before a longer drive in a 1973 Ferrari, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and any sign of pressure loss. Confirm cold inflation pressure, check valve stems, and make sure the spare is present and usable. It is also smart to look at wheel condition, lug security, and whether the tires show any age-related hardening or sidewall fatigue.

That tire check should be part of a broader pre-drive inspection on a car of this age. Cooling, fuel, belts, brakes, lights, and fluid levels deserve the same attention because a longer trip asks more from every system. From the tire standpoint, the goal is simple: make sure the correct 246 or 365 fitment is on the car, the rubber is healthy, and nothing has changed since the last outing that could turn a grand touring drive into a preventable problem.