Page 2 of 2
Re: 65 C Wheels
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 5:38 pm
by Mike Wilson
Glad we could be of help, Karlin. Good catch, Adam.
Re: 65 C Wheels
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 11:22 pm
by Edwin Ek
Find some correct (chrome) 4.5" rims for the front- they are around- and have them all restored. Some owners (many?) pay attention to the date stamps on the centers. You are right that bigger tires in the front alter (mess up) the delightful, light steering feel.
Re: 65 C Wheels
Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2016 10:00 am
by Dick Weiss
Karlin,
It' not a good idea to have 2-different sizes of wheels--the 356 wasn't designed for that and besides, a 5-1/2 wheel/tire
won't fit well up front for a spare.
Dick
Re: 65 C Wheels
Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2016 10:47 pm
by Dick Weiss
Proper refinishing of chrome wheels should be done by 1st dis-assembling them and de-chroming the pieces,
repair any defects, re-chrome the wheel pieces, and reassemble. That's where the extra cost comes in.
Years ago, I saw a set of re-chromes w/o the above work and the chrome was starting to flake off!
Dick
Re: 65 C Wheels
Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2016 5:59 pm
by Steve Proctor
Agree, Edwin. For looks, a 185 or 195 is great (I have 185 x 65 on now), but my car never was as delightful to drive as it was when it had the 165s. Seemed so much more responsive. Have run the Vreddie 185s, but will probably try their 165s next time.
STP
Re: 65 C Wheels
Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2016 8:46 pm
by Edwin Ek
Steve, try 185's in the back only. Despite what Dick W. says. Porsche didn't do it before 1973 because it hadn't thought of it. No car maker had, as far as i am aware. There are no adverse effects on our 356 cars. The benefits are reduced oversteer, a better look at the rear, and unaltered brilliance for the steering feel. It is a subtle modification which can be reversed in 10 minutes. Porsche still does it 50 years later.
Re: 65 C Wheels
Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2016 10:47 pm
by Jon Schmid
Dick Weiss wrote:Karlin,
It' not a good idea to have 2-different sizes of wheels--the 356 wasn't designed for that and besides, a 5-1/2 wheel/tire
won't fit well up front for a spare.
Dick
To be fair, a 4-1/2 wheel is a PITA enough to wedge into the front of my Roadster.
Re: Chrome Wheels
Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2019 4:17 pm
by David Butcher
I have the original set of 4 1/2 " date-stamped chrome wheels that came with my '58 Hardtop Cab. They are in need of minor repair, truing and re-chroming. Can anyone point me toward a reliable vendor to accomplish this task??
Re: 65 C Wheels
Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2019 11:01 am
by Al Zim
356A and B wheels that have been manufactured in Brazil or pacific rim countries usually leave a lot to be desired in terms of being round and the rim being perpendicular to the center. Experience has dictated that road force balancing can eliminate or modify manufacturing defects. Pacific rim tires deteriorate quicker than Michelin, Perelli and Bridgestone tires. al zim
Re: 65 C Wheels
Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2019 11:02 am
by Bob Kittel
Some chrome vendors sandblast the old chrome off instead of chemical or deplating method of stripping. Is there a preference and can you see the difference in new chrome in these different methods?
Re: 65 C Wheels
Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 7:57 pm
by Mike Horton
As Adam said, the 5.5" wheels started with the '68 MY 912/911, and came in both painted steel, or optional chrome,
Re: Chrome Wheels
Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2019 8:03 pm
by Adam Wright
David Butcher wrote: ↑Sun Sep 08, 2019 4:17 pm
I have the original set of 4 1/2 " date-stamped chrome wheels that came with my '58 Hardtop Cab. They are in need of minor repair, truing and re-chroming. Can anyone point me toward a reliable vendor to accomplish this task??
Perfect Custom (formally Bolton) in Gardena, CA is where 90% of the wheels we sell go to, normally 4-5 sets a month.
the new # 310 -819-6752