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65 C Wheels

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 9:54 am
by Karlin Daniel
My chrome 5 1/2 wheels (KPZ) are showing some age, thinking about ordering the Sierra Madre silver painted replacements. My COA shows chrome but neither wheel is period correct due to width. Any input?

Re: 65 C Wheels

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 10:27 am
by Paul Allen
I'm just getting back into 356's after 40 years, just bought Larry's Brook's '64C with chrome 4.5" wheels that are correct per COA, but I'm planning to get silver painted 5.5's for general use- since I think silver looks better, and 5.5 allows better tires.

Are the wheels sold by Stoddard the same as "Sierra Madre"?

Re: 65 C Wheels

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 11:03 am
by Karlin Daniel
I do not know the answer to the wheels being the same. When speaking with Kennedy from Sierra Madre, he informed me that the wheels were pressed from the original German tooling. I have read that the steering with 4.5's in the front - 5.5's in the rear are a delight, and the difference in the height is essentially zero unless someone is aggressively driving to a drift. By reviewing the Registry tire thread, many "knowledgeable 356 old-timers" seem to like the Vredestein Sprint Classics tire.

Re: 65 C Wheels

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 11:15 am
by Paul Allen
I'm not a fan of classic-style tires. I'll be doing a modern tire probably in 195/65-15.

Re: 65 C Wheels

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 11:29 am
by Jacques Lefriant
Hi Paul
I have been told that Stoddard and one of their European partners own the tooling and the stamping/pressing is done in Ohio.
j

Re: 65 C Wheels

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 11:30 am
by Paul Allen
Thanks!

Re: 65 C Wheels

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 11:33 am
by Mike Wilson
Karlin: it sounds like you had your wheels widened at some point. Your options would be to order new ones from either Stoddard or Sierra Madre (I suspect they are from the same manufacturer) or have your rims rechromed depending upon the price difference.

I have run 195 Yokohama tires on 5-1/2" Mangels and like the feel and handling. However, I may try the Sprint Classics next.

Re: 65 C Wheels

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 11:36 am
by Paul Allen

Re: 65 C Wheels

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 12:08 pm
by Karlin Daniel
Mike,

I have owned my 356 for about 15 years, the wheels were part of the package. Incredibly, the re-chroming is $400 each, and while my COA calls for chrome, the 5.5 departs from "original". Personally I prefer the look of the silver wheel and it can be purchased for less money ($300). As a result, the sizing, finishing is completely open without any differences in price.

Re: 65 C Wheels

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 1:00 pm
by Mike Wilson
Karlin: where are you located? Our local shop, formerly Bolton's, charges far less to chrome wheels.

Re: 65 C Wheels

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 1:47 pm
by Adam Wright
Mike Wilson wrote:Karlin: it sounds like you had your wheels widened at some point. Your options would be to order new ones from either Stoddard or Sierra Madre (I suspect they are from the same manufacturer) or have your rims rechromed depending upon the price difference.

I have run 195 Yokohama tires on 5-1/2" Mangels and like the feel and handling. However, I may try the Sprint Classics next.
If you check the dates on the wheels you might find they are wider 911/912 wheels which are 5.5, so they may not have been widened. This is good news if they are because if the chrome is good you will have some re-sale to the wheels.

Good luck.

Re: 65 C Wheels

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 2:01 pm
by Karlin Daniel
Adam, Many thanks for the good advice! I'll do as you suggested.

Re: 65 C Wheels

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 2:07 pm
by Adam Wright
The chrome on the 911/912 didn't fare well, so many of the chrome ones are trashed, having a good set is sought after. Also, re-chroming a disc brake wheel is much harder than a drum brake wheel, they normally have to be seperated, chromed, and re-welded, this is the reason for the higher price for re-chroming.

Re: 65 C Wheels

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 2:26 pm
by Mike Wilson
Our local shop lathe cuts both the drum and disc brake rims separating the center from the rim, chromes them and rewelds them back together. If the outer rim is trashed, they replace it but keep the original centers.

Re: 65 C Wheels

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 5:05 pm
by Karlin Daniel
To All: Thanks for the solid suggestions and help. My plan is to review these options, compare the numbers and then upgrade.