Wheels fitted to 356 Continentals

[JohnLiles]

Would a car made after June 1955 have 16 or 15 inch wheels ?
Just seen a car with 15s , but under the hood was a 16 !

[James Davies]

356 models got 16".
356A models got 15".

So even at the end of 1955, when coupes and cabs were 356A with 15" wheels, Speedsters were still 356 with 16" wheels.

[Jim Alton]

Many cars originally fitted with 16" wheels were refitted with 15"s for better handling, but it's often impossible to get a 165R15 tire into the spare wheel slot in the trunks of those cars so they carry 16" spares. I know of at least one pre-A Speedster with 15" wheels on the road and a 16" spare.

For many--but not all--of those cars it's also necessary to deflate 165R15 tires to get them in and out of the rear wheel well.