1987 Ferrari Tire Fitment Guide

1987 Ferrari vehicles use four sizes across the range: 205/55R16, 225/50R16, 225/55R16, and 255/50R16. The 328 GTB and 328 GTS use 205/55R16 and 225/50R16, the Mondial 3.2 uses 205/55R16 and 225/55R16, and the Testarossa uses 225/50R16 and 255/50R16. Every one of those sizes mounts on a 16-inch wheel. Rim-width ranges depend on size, running 5.5 to 7.5 inches for 205/55R16, 6.0 to 8.0 inches for both 225-width sizes, and 7.0 to 9.0 inches for 255/50R16.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose correctly. A 328 owner and a Mondial owner may share the same front size, but the rear fitment changes, and the Testarossa uses a much wider rear tire than the rest of the range. Start by confirming the model and then verify whether you are buying for the front axle or the rear axle before narrowing the choice to a brand or series.

On a 1987 Ferrari, 205/55R16 identifies a metric radial tire. The 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall height is 55 percent of the section width, R indicates radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. This size appears on the 328 GTB, 328 GTS, and Mondial 3.2.

That decoding matters because it tells you the tire's basic proportions, not just its ability to mount on a wheel. A 205/55R16 will fit a 16-inch rim, but it is also shaped differently from a 225/50R16 or 225/55R16, which affects stance and front-to-rear balance on these cars. Matching the exact code on the car's correct axle position is the right way to preserve intended geometry and appearance.

No. The 1987 Ferrari lineup shares a common 16-inch wheel diameter, but the actual tire sizes vary by model. The 328 GTB and 328 GTS use 205/55R16 and 225/50R16, the Mondial 3.2 uses 205/55R16 and 225/55R16, and the Testarossa uses 225/50R16 and 255/50R16. Some sizes overlap between models, but no single size works across the entire range.

That overlap can be helpful when you are comparing options, but it can also lead to ordering mistakes if you stop at year and make. The safest approach is to identify the model first, then confirm whether the tire is for the front or rear of the car. On staggered Ferraris from this period, that extra step prevents mixing sizes that belong to a different model's axle setup.

1987 Ferrari tire options in these sizes use blackwall sidewalls across the range. That applies to 205/55R16, 225/50R16, 225/55R16, and 255/50R16. On a late-1980s Ferrari, that clean black sidewall look is consistent with the period, especially on high-performance Italian sports cars that were not associated with wide whitewalls or decorative sidewall treatments.

For most owners, that simplifies the choice because the main variables are size, brand, and speed rating rather than sidewall appearance. If the goal is a factory-appropriate visual presentation, blackwall is the natural fit for the year and market position of these cars. If the goal is simply road use, the same conclusion applies: choose the correct blackwall size for the model and axle position, then compare the available series within that size.

BFGoodrich and Michelin cover the 1987 Ferrari range. The 205/55R16 is available from both BFGoodrich and Michelin, the 225/50R16 is also available from both, the 225/55R16 is available from BFGoodrich, and the 255/50R16 is available from BFGoodrich and Michelin. Every option in these sizes is a radial blackwall tire on a 16-inch rim.

Brand choice then comes down to the exact size your model uses and the speed rating or series character you want. Michelin is especially familiar to buyers pursuing an authentic European performance-tire look for an 1980s Ferrari, while BFGoodrich offers broader coverage across the range and multiple series in several sizes. Once the size is confirmed, compare the available brand choices within that specific fitment rather than across the whole Ferrari lineup.

For a 1987 Ferrari in sizes where both appear, Michelin Pilot Sport and BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2 differ most clearly in speed marking, weight, and stated construction details. In 225/50ZR16, the BFGoodrich carries a 92W rating while the Michelin carries a 92Y TL marking; in 255/50ZR16, the BFGoodrich is 99W while the Michelin is 99Y TL. Both share the same basic rim-width ranges within each size, but the Michelin versions are heavier at 30 pounds in those two sizes, while the BFGoodrich versions are lighter at 25 and 28 pounds respectively.

That makes this less a question of fit and more a question of specification preference within the same size. A buyer comparing these two lines should look at the exact speed symbol, whether a TL marking matters for the intended wheel setup, and how closely the tire's overall character suits the car's use. On a Ferrari from this era, that comparison should always happen after the correct size and axle position are nailed down.

1987 Ferrari tire fitments use several rim-width ranges depending on size. The 205/55R16 fits 5.5 to 7.5-inch rims, 225/50R16 fits 6.0 to 8.0-inch rims, 225/55R16 also fits 6.0 to 8.0-inch rims, and 255/50R16 fits 7.0 to 9.0-inch rims. All four sizes mount on 16-inch wheels, but width compatibility changes as the tire gets broader.

That is why wheel diameter alone is not enough when evaluating a Ferrari wheel and tire combination. A 16-inch wheel may still be too narrow or too wide for the tire being considered, particularly on the Testarossa's wider rear fitment. Before final selection, verify the actual wheel width on the car and match it to the acceptable range for the exact size you plan to run.

Several 1987 Ferrari tire options are marked TL, which means tubeless. Michelin's 205/55ZR16 SX MXX3 N2, 225/50ZR16 Pilot Sport, and 255/50ZR16 Pilot Sport all carry TL markings. Other products in those same sizes do not always state tube status in the size marking, so tube use can vary by product or by the wheel being used rather than being resolved by size alone.

That makes wheel type just as important as tire type. If the car still uses original-style wheels, confirm whether the wheel is intended for tubeless service and inspect its condition before assuming a tubeless setup is appropriate. If the product marking and wheel condition do not point clearly in the same direction, treat tube requirements as a product-specific and wheel-specific check rather than a blanket rule for every 1987 Ferrari.

All 1987 Ferrari tire sizes in this range use a 16-inch rim diameter, so every size shares the same wheel diameter. That does not mean every original wheel can take every size, because rim width requirements vary from 5.5 to 7.5 inches on 205/55R16 up to 7.0 to 9.0 inches on 255/50R16. The wider rear tires require correspondingly wider wheels.

In practice, original wheels can often remain in service when the correct model-specific and axle-specific tire size is chosen. Trouble starts when a shared 16-inch diameter is mistaken for universal interchangeability across the lineup. A 328 wheel and a Testarossa rear wheel do not ask the same thing of a tire, so verify wheel width and intended position before moving a size from one Ferrari model to another.

A stored 1987 Ferrari should sit in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can accelerate sidewall cracking. Keep the tires clean, maintain proper inflation, and move the car periodically so the same tread section is not carrying the load for months at a time. Radials generally tolerate storage better than older bias-ply designs, but they still age from time, heat, and environment.

Owners who store a Ferrari seasonally often benefit from either short periodic drives or careful repositioning in the garage. If the car will sit for a long stretch, pay attention to pressure loss and look over the contact patch and sidewalls before the next outing. Storage habits matter because many collector cars age out their tires long before they wear them out.

On a 1987 Ferrari, tire life is usually governed more by age than by mileage. A common collector-car guideline is to begin evaluating tires closely around five to seven years of age and to treat roughly ten years as a serious replacement point, even if tread depth still looks serviceable. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the simplest way to determine actual age.

That rule is especially relevant on Ferraris that see occasional use, because low annual mileage can disguise age-related hardening and cracking. A tire can look acceptable in the garage yet still be far older than you would want for spirited road driving. If the age is borderline, inspect the whole set as a system, including the spare if the car carries one, and make replacement decisions before a touring event rather than after problems appear.

Tires on a 1987 Ferrari deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more thorough inspection before any extended outing. Check inflation, tread wear, cuts, bulges, punctures, and sidewall cracking, and make sure each tire is holding pressure evenly. Because these cars use staggered fitments, also confirm that the correct size remains on the correct axle.

A more detailed look every few months is wise even if the car is driven sparingly. That is the right time to inspect valve stems, review the tires for age and heat-cycling signs, and look for uneven wear that could point to alignment or suspension issues. On a collector Ferrari, routine inspection is less about routine commuting and more about catching age-related problems before they interrupt a drive or damage a rare wheel.

A 1987 Ferrari 328 GTB was built in the radial era, and its correct fitment pattern uses 205/55R16 at one end of the car and 225/50R16 at the other on 16-inch wheels. That combination reflects the late-1980s move toward lower-profile performance radials rather than earlier tall-sidewall bias-ply practice. No single original-equipment brand should be assumed without checking car-specific history.

For restoration work, the key is getting the size, construction type, and overall visual character right first. Once those are correct, buyers pursuing a highly exact presentation can compare sidewall markings and consult Ferrari marque specialists or factory literature for market-specific confirmation. That step matters because originality standards can differ by country, delivery market, and the level of judging the car will face.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when a 1987 Ferrari is judged seriously. Size, construction, sidewall appearance, and overall proportion all contribute to whether the car looks period-correct. For this era, a blackwall radial in the proper metric size is consistent with the way Ferrari performance cars were equipped, while an incorrect aspect ratio or an oversized substitute can stand out immediately.

That does not mean every event applies the same standards. Some local shows reward overall presentation, while concours-level judging may scrutinize details more closely, including whether the front and rear sizes match the model's original staggered setup. If the car is being prepared for judged competition, confirm the event's expectations with Ferrari clubs or marque experts before finalizing the tire choice.

For a 1987 Ferrari, BFGoodrich g-Force COMP-2 A/S and BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2 overlap in several sizes but differ in series intent and some published details. In 205/55ZR16, the all-season COMP-2 A/S weighs 24 pounds while the Sport COMP-2 weighs 23 pounds, and both fit 5.5 to 7.5-inch rims; in 225/50ZR16, the all-season version weighs 26 pounds while the Sport version weighs 25 pounds on 6.0 to 8.0-inch rims. In the available sizes, both use blackwall radial construction, while the Sport versions also carry explicit W speed ratings where marked.

For restoration authenticity, neither series changes the basic late-1980s blackwall radial look, so the decision is less visual than practical. Owners who want a tire that stays close to the period performance-car presentation can focus on the correct size and sidewall appearance first, then compare the series details within that size. The important thing is to avoid treating one BFGoodrich size as interchangeable with another simply because the branding is the same.

Yes, 1987 Ferrari tire options in these sizes are highway-capable radial tires, and the available speed ratings are comfortably above normal U.S. highway speeds. Depending on the exact product, the range includes W-rated tires with a 168 mph ceiling and Y-rated tires with a 186-plus mph ceiling. Those ratings are well beyond ordinary interstate use, assuming the tires are in good condition and properly matched to the wheel.

The larger safety question on a 1987 Ferrari is often the condition of the whole car rather than the speed symbol alone. Suspension bushings, alignment, brakes, wheel condition, and tire age all matter more on a collector car than the theoretical top end printed on the sidewall. For highway driving, fresh, correctly sized tires in sound condition are a more meaningful safeguard than chasing the highest possible speed marking.

Inflation pressure on a 1987 Ferrari should follow the car's factory guidance first and the tire maker's rated limits second. Several products also publish load-and-pressure figures: 205/55ZR16 appears with 1356 pounds at 51 psi and 1477 pounds at 50 psi, 225/50ZR16 with 1389 pounds at 51 psi, 225/55ZR16 with 1521 pounds at 51 psi, and 255/50ZR16 with 1709 pounds at 51 psi. Those figures describe the tire's rated capacity, not a universal operating pressure for every Ferrari application.

That distinction matters because front and rear pressures on a staggered mid-engine Ferrari are often set for handling balance, load distribution, and ride rather than the tire's maximum rated pressure. Use the correct factory recommendation for the specific model as your baseline, then confirm that the chosen tire's operating limits and load capacity support that use. Avoid copying a pressure from one size to another simply because both are mounted on 16-inch wheels.

Before a longer drive in a 1987 Ferrari, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, punctures, bulges, and uneven wear, and verify that pressures are correct when cold. Confirm that the front and rear sizes match the model's proper staggered setup, check valve stems, and look at the spare if the car carries one. If the tires are older, pay close attention to age and hardening even if tread depth still appears healthy.

That tire check should be part of a wider pre-drive routine suited to an 1980s exotic. A car that has sat can develop flat-spotting, pressure loss, and age-related rubber issues without much warning, and those problems are easier to catch in the garage than on the roadside. Once the tires pass inspection, it is smart to review fluids, cooling, brakes, and wheel fastener condition so the car is ready for the kind of sustained running a longer trip demands.