1974 Ferrari Tire Fitment Guide

1974 Ferrari vehicles covered here use one tire size: 205/70R14, and it applies to the 1974 Ferrari 246. That size mounts on a 14-inch wheel. Depending on the specific tire, the approved rim-width range runs from 5.00 to 7.00 inches or from 5.50 to 7.50 inches, so the diameter stays the same while the acceptable wheel width can vary slightly by product.

That makes the first step fairly simple: confirm that your car is a 1974 Ferrari 246 and that it still wears 14-inch wheels in an appropriate width range. After that, the decision moves away from basic fitment and toward choosing the sidewall treatment and tire character that best match your car, whether you want a more restrained driver-oriented look or a period-styled presentation.

On a 1974 Ferrari, 205/70R14 is a metric radial tire size. The 205 refers to a nominal section width of 205 millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, the R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. In practical terms, it is a modern-style size code compared with older numeric or alphanumeric collector-car sizes, and it suits the more contemporary tire conventions of the mid-1970s.

Understanding the code helps you avoid substituting a tire that may look similar but mount differently or alter the car’s proportions. For a 1974 Ferrari 246, matching the full size code matters because the tire’s section width, profile, and 14-inch rim diameter all work together. Once the size is confirmed, you can compare sidewall style, speed rating, and approved wheel-width range without second-guessing the basic fitment.

For the 1974 Ferrari vehicles covered here, yes. The model range on this page consists of the Ferrari 246, and it uses 205/70R14. There is no year-level split into multiple diameters or mixed size families, so you do not need to sort between separate model-specific tire sizes within this particular 1974 Ferrari coverage.

That consistency makes shopping easier, but it does not eliminate the need to confirm the car itself. Many collector Ferraris have seen wheel changes over the years, and a reproduction tire should still be matched to the actual wheel diameter and width on the car. If your 246 has been modified, use the wheel on the vehicle as the final authority before selecting a replacement tire.

1974 Ferrari 205/70R14 tires are available with several sidewall treatments: Narrow Whitewall, RWL, Dual-Redline, and Redline. Those styles create very different visual impressions even though they share the same core size and radial construction. BFGoodrich covers the RWL, Dual-Redline, and Redline options, while Maxxis offers a Narrow Whitewall version in the same size.

For a 1974 Ferrari 246, sidewall style is largely an appearance decision rather than a fitment decision. A plainer blackwall-style performance look usually feels most natural on a mid-1970s Italian sports car, while redline or whitewall treatments push the car toward a more customized or period-personalized presentation. If authenticity matters for events or judging, compare your choice against marque-specific references and period photos before committing.

The 205/70R14 size for 1974 Ferrari vehicles is available from Maxxis and BFGoodrich. Within BFGoodrich, the offerings include the Radial T/A and Silvertown Radial families, while Maxxis offers the Classic Whitewall MA-1 in this size. All of them are radial tires, but they differ in sidewall styling and, in some cases, wheel-width range and speed-rating detail.

Brand choice on a 1974 Ferrari 246 often comes down to the look you want and how closely you want the tire’s visual character to align with the car. Some owners prefer a sportier, more American performance-themed sidewall treatment, while others simply want a clean radial that suits regular road driving. Comparing the sidewall, wheel-width range, and any speed-rating marking is more useful than choosing by brand name alone.

For a 1974 Ferrari in 205/70R14, the BFGoodrich Radial T/A uses an RWL sidewall, fits 5.00-to-7.00-inch rims, weighs 23.7 pounds, and carries a 93S speed rating, which means a 112 mph ceiling. The BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial appears in Redline and Dual-Redline versions, fits 5.50-to-7.50-inch rims, weighs 24 pounds, and carries the same 1433-pound-at-35-psi load figure in this size.

That means the choice is less about a dramatic dimensional change and more about visual presentation and wheel compatibility. A car wearing narrower wheels may align more naturally with the Radial T/A’s approved range, while owners seeking a redline-style period accent may lean toward the Silvertown Radial. Either way, measure the wheel first and make sure the sidewall look complements the character of your particular 246.

On a 1974 Ferrari using 205/70R14 tires, rim-width requirements depend on the exact tire you choose. Maxxis Classic Whitewall MA-1 and BFGoodrich Radial T/A fit 5.00-to-7.00-inch rims, while BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial in Redline or Dual-Redline form fits 5.50-to-7.50-inch rims. All of them mount on a 14-inch wheel, but the acceptable wheel-width range is not identical across every product.

That difference matters because wheel width affects how the tire sits, how the sidewall looks, and how closely the tread profile matches the manufacturer’s intended shape. Before ordering for a 1974 Ferrari 246, verify the actual wheel width rather than assuming every 14-inch wheel will accept every 205/70R14 tire equally. That one check helps avoid clearance surprises and preserves the car’s handling balance and appearance.

A 1974 Ferrari 246 on original 14-inch wheels is working from the correct wheel diameter for every tire option covered here, because all of them are 205/70R14. Diameter compatibility is the easy part. The more important variable is wheel width, since some products fit 5.00-to-7.00-inch rims and others fit 5.50-to-7.50-inch rims.

That means many original wheels may accept more than one tire option, but you should still confirm the wheel width before making a final choice. If your car has its original wheels, a straightforward measurement usually answers the question. If the car has aftermarket wheels or a mixed set from an earlier restoration, verify each wheel rather than assuming every 14-inch Ferrari wheel shares the same width.

A 1974 Ferrari should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone sources that can accelerate sidewall aging. Keep the tires properly inflated, make sure the floor stays clean and free of petroleum contamination, and move the car periodically if it will sit for long stretches. Because the 205/70R14 options here are radial tires, they generally tolerate static storage better than older bias-ply designs, but they still age when parked.

Long-term collector storage is easiest on tires when the car is driven just enough to circulate lubricants and avoid sitting in one position for months at a time. If the Ferrari will be off the road for a season, many owners either roll it occasionally or use stands in a way that supports the car safely without stressing the suspension. Good storage habits preserve both the tire structure and the visual quality of the sidewalls.

On a 1974 Ferrari, tire life is usually governed more by age than by mileage. Collector cars often cover relatively few miles, so tread depth can look healthy long after the rubber has begun to harden and age. A sensible rule is to evaluate tires closely once they reach the five-to-seven-year range and to treat around ten years from the DOT date code as a serious replacement point, even if they still appear presentable.

That matters especially on a Ferrari 246 because a lightly used exotic can spend years indoors and still end up with tires that are older than their appearance suggests. Date-code checking should be part of regular ownership, particularly after buying a car that came from an older restoration. If the tire age is creeping up, replacement is often the wiser choice than trying to squeeze more time out of a set with limited use.

Tires on a 1974 Ferrari should be inspected before every drive, and again more carefully before any extended outing or event weekend. Look for sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, signs of impact damage, and any change in how well the tires hold pressure. Because these cars are often driven infrequently, a visual walk-around catches age-related issues that may not show up through mileage alone.

A deeper inspection every few months is worthwhile even if the car rarely leaves the garage. Check tread depth across the width, confirm valve-stem condition, and make sure the spare is still usable if the car carries one. On an older Ferrari, tire inspection should be part of a broader habit of pre-drive mechanical awareness, since a car of this era rewards careful preparation much more than casual neglect.

A 1974 Ferrari 246 belongs to an era when radial tires were already well established on high-performance European road cars, and the year-level fitment here is 205/70R14 radial. That makes radial construction the appropriate starting point for anyone trying to stay aligned with the period character of the car. Original-equipment branding can vary by market and delivery history, so the most reliable way to confirm factory-correct detail is through Ferrari reference material, marque clubs, and surviving unrestored examples.

For most owners, the key authenticity questions are size, construction type, and sidewall presentation rather than chasing a single universal brand answer. A 205/70R14 radial keeps the car in the right size family and preserves the intended 14-inch wheel fitment. If the car is headed for high-level judging, compare your chosen sidewall treatment with period photography and event rules instead of assuming every 1974 Ferrari 246 was equipped identically in every market.

Correct tire fitment can matter a great deal when showing a 1974 Ferrari, especially if the event places emphasis on originality. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the size is appropriate, whether the tire uses the right basic construction type for the era, and whether the sidewall style suits the car’s period appearance. On a 1974 Ferrari 246, a 205/70R14 radial is the right fitment family, but sidewall details can still change the visual authenticity of the presentation.

That means a tire can be dimensionally correct and still look out of character for a serious restoration. Redlines, whitewalls, and raised white letters each send a different message, and some may feel more customized than factory-correct on an Italian sports car from 1974. Before an event, compare your tires with the judging standards for that venue and with Ferrari-specific restoration references rather than relying on general collector-car assumptions.

For a 1974 Ferrari in 205/70R14, the Maxxis Classic Whitewall MA-1 uses a Narrow Whitewall sidewall, weighs 24 pounds, fits 5.00-to-7.00-inch rims, and carries a 1433-pound load figure at 35 psi. The BFGoodrich Radial T/A uses raised white letters, weighs 23.7 pounds, fits the same 5.00-to-7.00-inch rim range, and carries a 93S speed rating with a 112 mph ceiling along with the same 1433-pound-at-35-psi load figure.

Those details make the choice primarily aesthetic for most 246 owners, because the core size and basic wheel-width compatibility are very close. The Narrow Whitewall gives the car a more individualized period look, while the raised white letter Radial T/A leans toward a sportier visual statement. If restoration authenticity is your main goal, choose the sidewall style that best aligns with Ferrari-specific historical reference material rather than broad American collector-car trends.

A 1974 Ferrari fitted with fresh, properly sized 205/70R14 radial tires in good condition can be suitable for normal highway driving. Among the available options, the BFGoodrich Radial T/A carries an S speed rating, which corresponds to a 112 mph ceiling. In real use, the car’s overall mechanical condition, alignment, suspension health, and brake performance often matter just as much as the tire itself on a mid-1970s Ferrari.

Safety on the road comes from matching the tire to the wheel, maintaining correct pressure, and respecting the age and condition of the entire vehicle. Even an exotic sports car should be approached conservatively if it has old rubber, long storage history, or unknown service work. A pre-drive inspection and a realistic understanding of the car’s vintage chassis systems do more for safe highway use than chasing a speed capability you may never need.

For 1974 Ferrari 205/70R14 tires, the available load figures in this size are 1433 pounds at 35 psi. That number is the tire’s rated load-and-pressure reference, not automatically the exact running pressure your Ferrari 246 should use on the road. Factory vehicle pressures are set by the carmaker, while reproduction and modern collector tires also have manufacturer guidance that should be respected within the tire’s approved operating range.

The best approach is to start with the vehicle’s original handbook or marque reference for front and rear pressure guidance, then confirm that your chosen tire’s construction and load rating are appropriate for the application. Do not transfer a pressure assumption from another size or another Ferrari model. Pressure affects wear, steering feel, and ride quality, so a few minutes spent confirming the right baseline is worth it before regular driving.

Before a longer drive in a 1974 Ferrari, inspect each 205/70R14 tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded debris, and uneven tread wear, then verify cold inflation pressure and confirm that the valve stems are sound. Check the spare as well if the car carries one. Since collector Ferraris may spend a lot of time parked, age and storage effects can be just as important as mileage-related wear.

The tire check should be part of a broader pre-trip routine that includes brakes, fluid levels, belts, cooling system condition, and a quick look for leaks or looseness underneath. On a Ferrari 246, confidence on the road comes from treating the car as a complete mechanical system rather than focusing on one component in isolation. A short inspection before departure is usually far easier than dealing with roadside trouble in a vintage exotic.