will 5.5 or 6 inch rims fit under a stock 356a

For those who couldn't care less how their 356 left the factory!
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Ned Gorski
356 Fan
Posts: 1064
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2011 1:40 pm

will 5.5 or 6 inch rims fit under a stock 356a

#1 Post by Ned Gorski »

Hello all
starting a mild outlaw project and was hoping i could get a little info about wheels

i like the look of the 6 inch steel wheels for the rear, i actually have a nice set with out tires but don't want to buy tiers is they wont fit.
i would also like to run 5 or 5.5 in the front.
i would be willing to make modifications to the suspension if need just not the body..
i would like to hear from list members running wider wheels on a T-1 with out any body modifications..
SO how wide you can go on a stock 1956 356 a??????


Regards Ned
55cab
56 coupe

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Rob Green
356 Fan
Posts: 161
Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2010 2:58 pm
Location: Park City Utah

Re: will 5.5 or 6 inch rims fit under a stock 356a

#2 Post by Rob Green »

Hi Ned,

When dealing with tire/wheel fit the key word is "offset". Stock offset wheels of 15X4.5 or 15X15 will allow up to 165/80/15 tires to fit ( a 356 C, I don't know about a 356 A) without rubbing in the rear, but that's about it. However wider wheels, such as 15X5.5 or 16's can run wider tires if the offset of the wheel is greater than stock. I used to run 195/60/15 tires on 15.5 rims with increased offset, with no problem, but needed to go to a narrower tire section width of 165X80X15 when I went with a 15X5 stock offset rim. There are several threads also dealing with tires sizes/section width for various rim diameters. Hope this helps.

Good luck with your project, can't wait to see pictures!

Rob Green
356C Coupe
129333

Greg Erickson
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Posts: 106
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:50 pm
Location: Valley Center,Ca

Re: will 5.5 or 6 inch rims fit under a stock 356a

#3 Post by Greg Erickson »

Ned,
I'm running 195/55 tires on 5.5" rims front and back on my 1960 outlaw coupe...
no problems.... I purchased steel rims from sierra madre collection....don't know
what the offset is....
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Ned Gorski
356 Fan
Posts: 1064
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2011 1:40 pm

Re: will 5.5 or 6 inch rims fit under a stock 356a

#4 Post by Ned Gorski »

Greg
nice look the car that is..
I also like the rim to tire rubber ratio thanks for the info that's the combination i am looking for...

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