1989 Ferrari Tire Fitment Guide

1989 Ferrari vehicles use six sizes across the full model range: 205/55R16, 225/50R16, 215/50R17, 255/45R17, 225/55R16, and 255/50R16. The 328 GTB and 328 GTS use 205/55R16 and 225/50R16, the 348 TB and 348 TS use 215/50R17 and 255/45R17, the Mondial t uses 205/55R16 and 225/55R16, and the Testarossa uses 225/50R16 and 255/50R16. Rim diameters are split between 16-inch and 17-inch applications, and rim-width ranges vary by size from 5.5-7.5 inches up to 8.0-9.5 inches where specified.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose tires for a 1989 Ferrari. You need the exact model first, then the correct front and rear size pairing for that car. It is also worth confirming the wheel diameter on the car now, especially if a Ferrari has been modified over time, because the 348 family moved to 17-inch fitment while the 328, Mondial t, and Testarossa remained on 16-inch applications.

On a 1989 Ferrari, 205/55R16 is a metric radial size. 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 identifies radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. This size appears on the 328 GTB, 328 GTS, and Mondial t, all on 16-inch wheels.

That code tells you much more than width alone. It confirms the construction type, the intended wheel diameter, and the basic profile of the tire. For a 1989 Ferrari owner, that matters because a 205/55R16 is not interchangeable with the 17-inch front size used on the 348, and it also does not replace the wider 16-inch rear sizes used elsewhere in the lineup.

No, 1989 Ferrari models do not all use the same tire size. The 328 GTB and 328 GTS share one staggered 16-inch pairing, the 348 TB and 348 TS share a different staggered 17-inch pairing, the Mondial t uses its own 16-inch rear size, and the Testarossa uses its own wider 16-inch rear size. Even where a size overlaps between models, it does not always serve the same front-or-rear position.

That model-by-model variation is the key reason to identify the exact car before choosing tires. A Ferrari owner comparing sizes across the year should treat the 328, 348, Mondial t, and Testarossa as separate fitment families. Once the model is confirmed, the correct front and rear combination becomes much easier to narrow down, and you can focus on brand, speed rating, and sidewall appearance within the right size.

Most 1989 Ferrari tire sizes are available in blackwall form, which is the dominant look across 205/55R16, 225/50R16, 215/50R17, 225/55R16, and 255/50R16. The exception is 255/45R17 for the 348 TB and 348 TS, where blackwall, redline, and RWL options all exist. That makes the 348 rear size the one place in the 1989 Ferrari range where sidewall appearance opens up more visibly different styling choices.

For owners aiming to stay closest to late-1980s Ferrari presentation, blackwall is usually the most natural visual fit. Redline and raised white letter styling can create a more customized look, but they change the car's period character more noticeably than a plain sidewall. If appearance matters as much as fitment, start by deciding whether you want the tire to disappear visually or become a styling feature.

1989 Ferrari tire sizes are covered by BFGoodrich, Michelin, Nitto, and Pro-Trac. BFGoodrich appears across every size in the range, Michelin covers several 16-inch applications including 205/55R16, 225/50R16, and 255/50R16, Nitto appears in 255/45R17, and Pro-Trac also appears in 255/45R17. Brand coverage changes by size, so the available choices for a 328 or Mondial t are not exactly the same as they are for a 348.

That brand split matters because some 1989 Ferrari owners want a tire with a more understated OE-style appearance, while others are focused on broader modern performance-brand familiarity. The best approach is to confirm the exact size first, then compare the brands that exist in that size rather than assuming every brand spans the whole year and make. A Testarossa rear tire search, for example, is narrower than a shared 328 front-size search.

For 1989 Ferrari 225/50R16 fitment, both BFGoodrich and Michelin offer radial blackwall choices that mount on 16-inch rims with a 6.0-8.0 inch rim-width range. BFGoodrich options in this size carry W speed ratings, while the Michelin Pilot Sport carries a Y rating. Weight also differs, with the BFGoodrich products around the mid-20-pound range and the Michelin around 30 pounds.

Those differences make the comparison more than a brand preference. The shared rim diameter and width range mean either brand belongs in the same basic fitment envelope, but the speed rating and construction details on the sidewall can shape the final decision for a particular owner. Before choosing, compare the exact series name, sidewall marking, and overall character you want for the car rather than selecting by size alone.

Rim width depends on the exact 1989 Ferrari tire size. 205/55R16 fits 5.5-7.5 inch rims, 225/50R16 fits 6.0-8.0 inch rims, 215/50R17 fits 6.0-7.5 inch rims, 255/45R17 fits 8.0-9.5 inch rims where stated, 225/55R16 fits 6.0-8.0 inch rims, and 255/50R16 fits 7.0-9.0 inch rims. Those ranges reflect the tire size itself, not a blanket rule for every 1989 Ferrari wheel.

The practical takeaway is to match the tire size to the wheel you actually have, especially on cars that may have changed wheels over the years. Front and rear wheels on Ferraris of this period are often staggered, so it is worth checking both axles instead of assuming one measurement covers all four corners. Staying inside the intended rim-width range helps preserve the tire's shape, response, and contact patch behavior.

1989 Ferrari tires are generally radial tubeless applications, and several Michelin products are explicitly marked TL. Other products in the same size families do not always carry a visible tube designation in the sidewall description, so tube status can vary by product marking rather than by size alone. None of the 1989 Ferrari sizes here are antique or bias-ply tube-type fitments in the traditional sense.

That means the safest approach is to check the exact sidewall marking on the tire you plan to use and confirm it against the wheel condition and design. On a late-1980s Ferrari with original-style modern rims, tubeless fitment is the expected direction, but any wheel with damage, corrosion, or prior modifications deserves closer inspection. Valve stems, bead-seat condition, and wheel sealing matter just as much as the tire itself.

A 1989 Ferrari should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, generators, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Keep the tires clean, maintain correct inflation, and avoid prolonged contact with standing moisture or petroleum-based chemicals. If the car will sit for extended periods, periodic rolling helps reduce flat-spotting and keeps the carcass from resting in one position for too long.

Collector Ferraris often accumulate time in storage faster than mileage on the road, so tire care becomes an aging issue rather than a wear issue. If the car will be parked for months, some owners prefer to move it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces continuous load on the same tread area. A climate-stable garage does more for tire life than cosmetic treatments applied to the sidewalls.

On a 1989 Ferrari, tire life should be judged primarily by age and condition, not by tread depth alone. A good working rule is to inspect tires closely beginning around five to seven years of age and to treat about ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of mileage. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the quickest way to confirm the tire's actual age.

That matters especially on Ferraris that are driven sparingly, because a tire can look presentable while the rubber has already hardened with time. Low annual mileage does not reset the aging clock. If steering feel becomes harsher, grip falls away in cooler conditions, or sidewall cracking begins to appear, age is likely becoming the bigger issue even if the tread still looks serviceable.

Tires on a 1989 Ferrari should be inspected before every drive, with a more thorough check before any longer trip or highway outing. Look for sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, punctures, irregular tread wear, and pressure loss. Because these cars often run staggered sizes, inspect each axle as its own setup rather than assuming the same wear pattern or inflation behavior front and rear.

Regular inspection is one of the simplest ways to protect both the car and the driving experience. A quick walkaround can catch an aging rear tire, a damaged valve stem, or a pressure drop before it turns into a roadside problem. On a collector Ferrari, that habit is especially worthwhile because long intervals between drives can hide slow air loss and age-related issues until the next outing.

1989 Ferrari tires in these sizes are radial products with speed ratings that reach W and, in some sizes, Y. A W rating carries a 112 mph ceiling, while a Y rating carries a 186+ mph ceiling. That places these tires comfortably within normal U.S. highway use when they are in good condition, properly inflated, and correctly matched to the wheel and vehicle.

Real-world safety on a 1989 Ferrari depends on much more than the letter on the sidewall. Brake condition, suspension health, alignment, wheel integrity, and the age of the tire itself all matter at least as much as the maximum speed symbol. For a road-driven collector Ferrari, the smarter benchmark is stable, predictable behavior at legal highway speeds rather than chasing the highest speed capability on paper.

Inflation pressure on a 1989 Ferrari should follow the car's factory guidance first, with the tire maker's rated maximum pressure serving as a separate load reference rather than a default running pressure. Some tires in these sizes include load-and-pressure figures such as 1477 lbs at 50 psi for 205/55R16, 1389 lbs at 51 psi for 225/50R16, 1521 lbs at 50 psi for 215/50R17, 1653 to 1874 lbs at 50-51 psi for 255/45R17, 1521 lbs at 51 psi for 225/55R16, and 1709 lbs at 51 psi for 255/50R16.

Those figures should not be transferred casually from one size to another or mistaken for the pressure Ferrari intended for everyday driving. The correct running pressure depends on the exact model, axle position, and loading condition. Use the owner's manual or factory tire-pressure decal as the baseline, then verify that your chosen tire's operating range and wheel setup are compatible with that specification.

Before a longer drive in a 1989 Ferrari, inspect all four tires for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, and uneven wear, then confirm pressures when the tires are cold. Check valve stems, look at the spare if the car carries one, and make sure the tires are the correct front-and-rear sizes for the model. A quick review of wheel condition and lug security is also worthwhile on an older performance car.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive routine, but they are the first contact point between the car and the road. On a late-1980s Ferrari, it is wise to pair the tire check with a broader inspection of brakes, fluids, belts, and cooling-system condition before committing to distance. If the tires pass inspection but are many years old, that age should still factor into how ambitious the trip ought to be.