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53' Pre A 16" Rim Questions.

Posted: Fri May 12, 2017 3:25 pm
by Curtis Batchelder
I have a 53' Coupe #512xx in metal restoration, the rear fender profiles were enlarged by a previous owner. It is time to consider the rim size and tire combination, has anyone used the new "Model A's from HRBB" either the 16" x 5.5 or 15" x 5 Aluminum Rims? Any ideas or comments on radial tire sizes for stock fender profiles?

Thanks

Curtis

Re: 53' Pre A 16" Rim Questions.

Posted: Sat May 13, 2017 11:30 pm
by Greg Bryan
Curtis - I'm sure someone will speak up with info regarding your question.
We love to see pictures of cars undergoing restoration, hint-hint ...
Good luck!

Re: 53' Pre A 16" Rim Questions.

Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 8:04 am
by James Davies
I would not go with a wider rim size if you want to keep stock fenders. There just is not enough room. With the original 16x3.25 rims, you can go with a 550R16 Michelin or Avon radial. Hard to get on, but it will fit. Anything larger probably won't fit.

Re: 53' Pre A 16" Rim Questions.

Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 6:18 pm
by Jules Dielen
James Davies wrote:I would not go with a wider rim size if you want to keep stock fenders. There just is not enough room. With the original 16x3.25 rims, you can go with a 550R16 Michelin or Avon radial. Hard to get on, but it will fit. Anything larger probably won't fit.
+1 i just went from a 5.00x 16 to a 5.50 x 16 on my 52/53 and was surprised about the tight fit. I am running 185x70 on my A without problems.

Re: 53' Pre A 16" Rim Questions.

Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 4:25 am
by Hendrik Moulds
Can't remember without looking but I think I have 5.25 crossply tyres on my standard wheels.
They fit fine in the wheel arch although there's not much room for manoeuvre.
I can imagine anything more will be very tight.

Re: 53' Pre A 16" Rim Questions.

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 8:32 pm
by Curtis Batchelder
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Thanks for the input guys!

Re: 53' Pre A 16" Rim Questions.

Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2017 5:59 pm
by James Davies
Looking really good Curtis!

Re: 53' Pre A 16" Rim Questions.

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 3:22 pm
by Curtis Batchelder
Finished - 16" Rims w/ Michelin 550 X 16 TT Radials.

Re: 53' Pre A 16" Rim Questions.

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 4:47 pm
by Jules Dielen
coming along well Curtis! Do they fit in the wheel wells? I can't fit 5.50 in mine without deflating the tire :(

Re: 53' Pre A 16" Rim Questions.

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 7:34 pm
by Curtis Batchelder
Jules
Too early to tell, I'm just about finished re-bushing the front suspension.
I wasn't planning on 16" rims but had some problems with a set of aluminum 15" rims, and abandoned that effort.
What it came to me with was 165 SR 15's, those are a bit shorter but wider profile and the prior owner liked them.

Re: 53' Pre A 16" Rim Questions.

Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:58 pm
by Martin Bruechle
Looking good Curtis. I've got the same problem with my rear fenders on my 53. The previous owner trimmed the top of the fenders about 2" and about halfway down the arch.
I was wondering how you got the measurement for the center height ? Had some crappy flares on it. I have factory fenders trimmed off a rear clip.
If you have any measurements that you used to get the correct height I could use them.
Thanks, Martin

Re: 53' Pre A 16" Rim Questions.

Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2021 6:34 pm
by Mark Todorovich
I just went to moto tire USA with 5 newly painted wheels (16/3.25) . Between me and the tire guy Heidenau sent the 16/5.5, they looked too tall to me . I had him order the 16/5:0 ,I hope that I am doing the right thing.

Re: 53' Pre A 16" Rim Questions.

Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2021 8:03 pm
by George Kehler
I ordered the Michelin tires and found them to look too tall. Sold them and replaced with Dunlops. Look and drive great but they are not made anymore.

Re: 53' Pre A 16" Rim Questions.

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2021 11:35 am
by Mark Todorovich
Wheel color? Does anyone have a correct wheel color recommendation. Last time I had sheet metal powder casted I used a black with a gloss percent. I think we chose 80. I don’t want my wheels to look like they are trying to be chrome. With rattle cans getting a dull silver seems tough to get right.

Re: 53' Pre A 16" Rim Questions.

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2021 12:19 pm
by Donald Zingg
Mark Todorovich wrote: Fri Mar 12, 2021 6:34 pm I just went to moto tire USA with 5 newly painted wheels (16/3.25) . Between me and the tire guy Heidenau sent the 16/5.5, they looked too tall to me . I had him order the 16/5:0 ,I hope that I am doing the right thing.
According to Veiko Marschner at Heidenau, the P29 5.00-16 tire diameter is 677mm, which is pretty close to OEM tire spec for P-356 cars. The diameter is 695mm on their (wider) 5.50-16 P29 tire.
Mark, after your order arrives, please share your experience of getting these tires from Germany.