65 C Wheels

356 Porsche-related discussions and questions.
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Mike Wilson
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Re: 65 C Wheels

#16 Post by Mike Wilson »

Glad we could be of help, Karlin. Good catch, Adam.
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

Edwin Ek
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Re: 65 C Wheels

#17 Post 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.
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Dick Weiss
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Re: 65 C Wheels

#18 Post 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

Dick Weiss
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Re: 65 C Wheels

#19 Post 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

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Steve Proctor
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Re: 65 C Wheels

#20 Post 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.

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Edwin Ek
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Re: 65 C Wheels

#21 Post 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.
Last edited by Edwin Ek on Sun Aug 07, 2016 1:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Jon Schmid
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Re: 65 C Wheels

#22 Post 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.

David Butcher
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Re: Chrome Wheels

#23 Post 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??

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Al Zim
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Re: 65 C Wheels

#24 Post 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
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Bob Kittel
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Re: 65 C Wheels

#25 Post 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?
Bob Kittel

Mike Horton
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Re: 65 C Wheels

#26 Post 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,
Mike

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Adam Wright
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Re: Chrome Wheels

#27 Post 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
www.unobtanium-inc.com
Check out my Barn Find column in the Registry magazine, always looking for good stories.

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