The Official 356Talk Forum

John,

A wider tire doesn't provide a greater contact patch. Pressure = Force/Area. Pressure and force don't change, so area doesn't either. It does however provide a thinner and wider contact patch; that allows better handling.

Years ago I checked the differences between tire mouintings affecting speeds and odometer
mileages and found that the 165X15 were the most accurate (if the gage operates correctly).

The 185/65X15 would show an error about 3% faster and 3-miles less per 100 miles.
The 195/60X15 would show an error about 8% faster and 8-miles less per 100 miles.

The above tires were on 5'5" rims as they're listed for 5" minimum width; you don't want a 'balloon-look' w/.165X15 tires on 5.5" rims and also, using the low profile tires on skinny rims and give some handling problems w/bulgy sidewalls and loss of proper contact patch to the road.

Dick

BTW, I forgot the 185/70X15 tire size; it's also the same accuracy as the 165X15 but it uses the 5" minimum rim width.
Finally, having the correct forward stop bolt in the backing plate will set the steering lock angle, but the 'backing up' oif the car will produce some rubbing on the rear end of the lower front structure @ full lock from inner tire rub; it shouldn't happen when driving forward unless suspension mods were done or different wheel offsets exist.
Then there's the upper bump stop.

Dick

Perry & Dick, I for got to mention that my rim size is 4 1/2 X 15 is what I have on the 55 Speedster and am using the 165/15 Vredastien Sprint Classic tire. Just help clear up any questions. George

Wow, this is getting a little confusing.

I'm having trouble finding the stock painted wheel in 4.5" width, but the 5.5" is available. I might end up with 165s or 175s on the 5.5". Hope they work okay.

Perry

Perry., If you go with 5 or 5.5 wide rim might try the 185/70 on and then 165/15 see which one you like the looks of. I'm thinking that putting 165/15 on the 5.5 rimis going to bloon out the side wall and look strange and may effect the handling of the tire. Just some thing to consider, I'm no expert on tires. George

Are 185s going to affect slow turning? I had shoulder surgery in August and essentially am steering with one arm these days (for the most part).

hi Perry,

I have the vredestein tires on my 356 and you can come over and drive my car to check them out if you want to. I'm in NE portland .... just send me an email.

Thanks for the offer, George! I'll drop you a note later.

Perry

Perry, If you want the 4.5 X15 rims you might check withGary Emory at parts obsolete in McMiinnville he probably can help you out and he is pretty close to you so you could go meet him and pick them up. He is really a nice guy. George

One that works on the 5.5 rims is the 195-65-15, I currently am running them on my 914 and the radius is very close to the 165-80-15

I like the original spec for Michelin from Coker tires. Good service. Same great tire.

Kumho Power Star 758 tires are available again at Discount Tire in 165/80 x 15 only.

I do not know if I'm in the right place for this subject?

I recently asked my Kardex, only information unknown for me was the tire Type, at factory in 1961 was the "Dunlop B7" of dimensions 165 x 15. As this profile said me really nothing, I am put looking for the appearance of the structures of this tire. Here are photos and documents that I found. And by dint of searching I found an old stock of tires new, in the lot including the Dunlop B7.
-First finding the width of the tread is very small (90mm).
-The second finding the height (outside diameter of the tire) is more important than on the Firestone F560 165 x 15 that are currently on my self.
-The third are of the tubeless.
-The fourth I find that the tire is very heavy.



Dunlop B7 5.60x15 :
Made in Germany





Continental 5.60x15:
Made in Germany




Other Continental 5.60/15:
Made in Germany




Kléber Colombes 165-15
Made in France



Snow tire Dunlop M&S :
Made in Germany



Firestone F560 actually on my cars:




You have info and pictures of other brands and profiles mounted at the time, to complete the picture: I have heard the following brands: Michelin, Metzeler, Phoenix, know you other?

After you have the size correct, take a moment to study the "DOT" code to determine the age of the tyre.
Peter.