Wheel/tyre options - SWB 911

[MarkIII]

My 1967S is currently running minilites with Dunlop 185/70R15 tyres, I have no complaints with how the car drives. My restoration plans start in the autumn, with the car being restored back in the main to original road spec but with a few personal touches.
I have purchased a set of correct 67s 4.5" Fuche wheels which will be restored and will stay with the car, from a handling perspective I have read that the smaller 4.5" wheels are not the greatest, so was hoping to get some advice from fellow SWB owners or others on recommended wheels and tyres which would be an alternative to using my 4.5" wheels.
The car will not have flared arches, it will remain narrow bodied and will be lowered ever so slightly for a more purposeful look, so for everyday use what would you guys suggest, would putting a set of 5.5" Fuchs make a significant difference?

[Nick Moss]

Talk to Decapman on here. His 67S was fitted with 185/70 tyres on the original 4.5" Fuchs. It is now on original style Michelin XAS 165s and he reports that it drives much better. Try a car on 4.5, you will be surprised how great these cars feels.

[shoestring7]

Nick,
What wheels and tyres were the Goodwood race cars on?
C>

[Nick Moss]

They were on 6" Fuchs and 5.50 (I think) Dunlop race tyres.

[redrobin911]

The goodwood cars should have all been on 5.5 x 15 fuchs as per FIA regs - 6's aren't allowed. I think I'd run 6x15 on you SWB and it will be fine, you could run 5.5x15 but expect to pay £500 a wheel + refurb costs. lots of good copies out there inc 5.5 for very little money - look at my car below £89.99 (inc VAT) a wheel - hardly expensive and while not correct they look OK. available on ebay - no affiliation.

[scalino65]

I run 6 inch wheels on my 67s with Yoko AO48s in a 60 profile. Absolutely brilliant amounts of grip, upsides cornering is astonishingly good but power oversteer is not really available which I put down to the tyres. You're very welcome to try it.
pic here:
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=48984&start=30
Best
Will

[MarkIII]

Thanks for the replies

Will, I'm not familiar with Yoko AO48s, would be interested to take you up on your offer if our paths cross at a ddk meet.
Thanks Mark

[one-two]

Just on a point of information, a lot of the Goodwood cars were on 6 inch Fuchs - there was an exemption - and the quicker guys were on Dunlop M's. Flicking through my well-thumbed copy of the racing-driver's book-of-excuses I can report that I was on 5.5 inch steels and L's! Robert

[Darren65]

Flicking through my well-thumbed copy of the racing-driver's book-of-excuses.......

....I think you've earnt your stripes Robert.......I'm sure those that know would have understood the imbalanced odds!




The rest probably just thought you're a little past it!

[inaglasshouse]

Flicking through my well-thumbed copy of the racing-driver's book-of-excuses.......

....I think you've earnt your stripes Robert.......I'm sure those that know would have understood the imbalanced odds!
The rest probably just thought you're a little past it!

Robert is, clearly, far too modest and self-effacing to mention his rather fine 4th place in the Formula Junior event at the same meeting. Could have been 3rd, see "blocked while lapping back marker" in the book-of-excuses.

Nearly back on topic, but LWB so not quite, I have the Yoko AO48s on my 69S. 205/60 all round, so quite wide, on 6s and 7Rs. I find them very sticky indeed. As Will says, the available grip is impressive but I suspect we're losing a fair bit of feel and delicacy. Certainly worth trying before you buy, I'd suggest - it might not be your idea of how an early 911 should drive.
I intend to try something narrower and more period (Pirelli CN36s?) in 185/70 on a spare set of 6" wheels, and see what I think.

Cheers, Richard.

[scalino65]

Flicking through my well-thumbed copy of the racing-driver's book-of-excuses.......

....I think you've earnt your stripes Robert.......I'm sure those that know would have understood the imbalanced odds!
The rest probably just thought you're a little past it!

Robert is, clearly, far too modest and self-effacing to mention his rather fine 4th place in the Formula Junior event at the same meeting. Could have been 3rd, see "blocked while lapping back marker" in the book-of-excuses.

Nearly back on topic, but LWB so not quite, I have the Yoko AO48s on my 69S. 205/60 all round, so quite wide, on 6s and 7Rs. I find them very sticky indeed. As Will says, the available grip is impressive but I suspect we're losing a fair bit of feel and delicacy. Certainly worth trying before you buy, I'd suggest - it might not be your idea of how an early 911 should drive.
I intend to try something narrower and more period (Pirelli CN36s?) in 185/70 on a spare set of 6" wheels, and see what I think.

Cheers, Richard.

Hi Richard
I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts on that when you try it.
A few of us are SWLondon based, we should get out for good drive early one morning

[inaglasshouse]

Hi Richard
I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts on that when you try it.
A few of us are SWLondon based, we should get out for good drive early one morning

Sounds good, count me in. I'm in Farnham; there are some decent roads south of here.
Goodwood Breakfast Club one Sunday?
Cheers, Richard.

[MarkIII]

Thanks for all your replies, lots of feedback in terms of 6" wheel option.

I would be interested to know if anyone has any insight into how swb cars drive with 5.5" wheel / tyre options.

thanks
Mark

[Lightweight_911]

Mike Ruddy (mycar) owned his RHD '68S for ~7 yrs so he could give you some feedback ...

[LGK6D]

I ran my 65 on 4.5 steels with 165's and as Nick says above, the feel is beautiful. I then went to 5.5 steels with 185 Avon CRZZ's, mechanical grip was massive, but it was noticeably noisier (road noise) and it did loose a tiny bit of feel. Depends what you want to do with it really?