What type & size of tires to use / what fits? / "best" tire?

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robert e gwaltney
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Re: What type & size of tires to use / what fits? / "best" t

#346 Post by robert e gwaltney »

thanks for the info Edwin
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Re: What type & size of tires to use / what fits? / "best" t

#347 Post by Greg Stout »

MY vote is the same as Bob Campbell's....just got my new Vredestein 165R/15 Sprint Classic's and mounted them on my 5.5 Chromes.....With new metal valve stems...
Big O Tire ordered them from (I think..)Tire Rack for me and saved me the 'shipping fee', then did the mount and balance. They look so "right" on my T-5.
Big thank you to Big O !!!!!!
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Richard Sutliffe
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Re: What type & size of tires to use / what fits? / "best" t

#348 Post by Richard Sutliffe »

I have owned several old Porsches including both 911 & 912 cars. A year ago I bought a '65 356 SC coupe. It had the original 4.5" chrome steel wheels on the front and 5.5" "Empi/Porsche" chrome wheels on the back and an Empi/Porsche 5.5" spare. The Empi/Porsche wheels are dated 1968. I have since removed all four wheels and replaced them with 5.5" chrome wheels from a '68 912. The fit is fine...a spacer in the back might be a good idea but it doesn't seem mandatory since although clearances are minimal nothing is rubbing. My question is: What to do with the three Empi/Porsche wheels I'm no longer using? I was told that Empi made them under an agreement with Porsche and the centers are definitely Porsche. I've also seen several 356's with these wheels in the past so apparently they are used by 356 people. (They fit great with 165 tires...but I'm not sure any wider tire would fit with the offset. I don't plan to use them again. Does anyone in this community want them? and are they worth anything?

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Greg Bryan
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Re: What type & size of tires to use / what fits? / "best" t

#349 Post by Greg Bryan »

Richard - I'd put the wheels on the sites classified ads and see what happens. the market will speak ....
Greg Bryan

Richard Sutliffe
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Re: What type & size of tires to use / what fits? / "best" t

#350 Post by Richard Sutliffe »

Today I trial installed a set of four cookies cutters with 185/60 tires. These wheels are 6" wide and there is adequate clearance on the outside although the inside is limited on the rear wheels. Everything clears but a small spacer wouldn't be a bad idea in the back. My plan is to have an alternative wheel/tire to run on my 356 SC (which will retain most of it's original stock look) but to give it a bit of a different look occasionally...and a little "attitude". As I figured, after my trial fit I confirmed I will need to install slightly longer wheel studs to run these 6" wheels. There isn't quite enough length on the original wheel studs to run these more modern Porsche 6" wheels. Also, after I include some small spacers for clearance insurance on the rear, the wheel studs will be slightly too short. The trick will be to find a wheel stud length that will allow me to switch back to my 5.5" chrome steel wheels without the studs being too long to install the hubcaps and still have a long enough wheel stud to run my aluminum 6" wheels.
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Martin Benade
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Re: What type & size of tires to use / what fits? / "best" t

#351 Post by Martin Benade »

Possibly you will need the spacers with the steel wheels too to make the hub caps clear the studs.
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Peter Burger
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Tires

#352 Post by Peter Burger »

I have 4 1/2 x 15 rims on my '64 C Coupe with 165R15 tires. The rubber is 8 years old and I would like to replace it soon. I am not that much interested in authentic look or comfort, but rather good street performance.
It would be great to hear recommendations concerning the largest size tire I can run front and rear, as well as what brand/type would give me good grip for spirited driving.

Thanks
Peter
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Sean M Rooks
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Re: Tires

#353 Post by Sean M Rooks »

Hi Peter!

I'm in the process of doing a lot of tire research while I restore some 5.5" 911 wheels to go on my C coupe. This article has been really helpful to me:
https://porsche356registry.org/article/162

I believe Pirelli has begun producing a bunch of tire sizes for classic Porsche cars. A lot of folks are pretty happy with the Vredestein Sprint Classics on their cars and the price is reasonable.

Great wheel and tire discussion thread here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=27101

I have Michelin Premier All Seasons on my car in 185/65/15 size (I run replica fuchs in 15x5.5) and they are quite grippy, especially on a warm road. Best part is they were nicely priced compared to more authentic looking options.

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Tom Wavrin
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Tires

#354 Post by Tom Wavrin »

Peter, I'm running Vredestein Sprint +'s in 165 series which are no longer available in the USA unfortunately and my tires are also approaching 8 years of age. I am considering the Vredestein Classic tire in 175/70 profile rather than 165/80 as a friend put these on a Roadster he just restored. They are a nice compromise between the OEM 165 and the 185 sizes. Only downside is that the diameter is a ~1 inch less than the 165/80 profile. The 175 fits in the spare tire well just fine.
Last edited by Tom Wavrin on Mon Feb 05, 2018 1:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Erik Thomas
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Re: Tires

#355 Post by Erik Thomas »

I have had good experiences running Blockley tires, the 165 x 15 is a dead ringer for the old Dunlop SP pattern that my car came with from the factory. I am not cheap with tires, unlike a lot of folks who shop the bargain bin. I like tires that have a larger slip angle - you can drive in a drift with more control. It is kind of sad that we end up replacing tires because they "time out" rather than wear out.

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Sebastian Gaeta
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Re: Tires

#356 Post by Sebastian Gaeta »

Tom Wavrin wrote:Peter, I'm running Vredestein Sport's in 165 series which are no longer available in the USA unfortunately and my tires are also approaching 8 years of age. I am considering the Vredestein Classic tire in 175/70 profile as a friend put these on a Roadster he just restored. They are a nice compromise between the OEM 165 and the 185 sizes. Only downside is that the diameter is a bit less than the 165/80 profile. The 175 fits in the spare tire well just fine.
Tom, it appears the Vredestein Sprint Classic is still available in the 165 series at Universal tire, that might be a good option for you as well:

https://www.universaltire.com/165hr15-v ... kwall.html
Sebastian Gaeta
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Steve Harrison
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Re: Tires

#357 Post by Steve Harrison »

And Universal runs a free shipping special once in a while.
That can make a pretty big difference. Keep an eye out,...or maybe even call them and ask. You never know if the salesman might just tell you when.

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Re: Tires

#358 Post by Ashley James »

There’s a so called Hot Rod 165 x 15 and 130mph tyre made for VWs that must come from the States. It’s £70 from North Hants tyres in the UK. I’m thinking of fitting them to my Healey and 356C

Vredesteins, apart from the Sport Classic, have disappeared from the showrooms in the UK and now that it’s only available from Classic Tyre dealers the Sport one is over £200, which is daft.

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Jon Schmid
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Re: Tires

#359 Post by Jon Schmid »

I'm running Nexens on the 4 1/2" rims of my coupe and unlike a lot of folks, I'll need to replace them soon because they are wearing out, not aging out.

Norm Miller
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Re: Tires

#360 Post by Norm Miller »

Old subject but I'll add;

Currently running General R43, 195/65X1n. I know, what?
My tire man suggested them as he had good feedback from customers.
Ok I tried them and they stick wet or dry and are surprisingly good in snow.
I have run 195's on A's & C's with 4.5" rims amd as long as you use proper air pressure they are fine.

Ex SCCA racer and over 100,000 356 miles of aggressive driving.

Norm
 

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