DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

I have always found the tyres and wheels thing a bit confusing and I'm sure this subject has been discussed many times before.

I have a UK RHD 71T with narrow rear wings which is a way from completion but was missing its wheels when I got it.

I'm on the understanding that as an option it could've been fitted with 5-1/2 X 14", 5-1/2 X 15 , 6" X "15 Fuchs wheels?

The question is this: Which wheel should I fit? Cost and finding set wheels , handling, finding tyres and looks all need to be taken into consideration. If any can help with narrowing my search options it would be great as I keep going round in circles.

Richard

My understanding is that a 71T would have had flat fuch 6” by 15” wheels with 185/70/15 tyres.

I use Avon Cr6 tyres which are great.

Hi Richard

It depends on when your car was built. Flat sixes (6x15) were available from March 24th 1971.
The sizes which John mentions above is the standard combination. Even so, on a T, I think the ‘new’ Fuchs would still have only been an option. Before March, on a T, things were different.

So you need to find your build date, decide if you want to be originally accurate or not.

Regards
Mike

Thanks Mike I'll have a look at the build date.

If the 6X 15 were fitted in 69 on 'S' models and optional on T's from March 71, I guess pre March 71 T's could have had 5-1/2 X 14" or 5-1/2 X 15 fitted from new but probably 5-1/2 X 14"? If 14" what tyres are available and are they any good? I guess the look of deeper tyres is a matter of preference.

Hi Richard

Before March 71 the 6x15 fuchs would have been ‘deep’ sixes on the S. It’s possible to fit these to your car but the options when new on a 71T were, as you say, standard 5.5x15 or option 5.5x14. The latter would have had 185x14 tyres but I have no experience with this combination so can’t comment. It was described at the time as the ‘comfort option’ along with hydroneumatic suspension (on the E only) but most abandoned the system. I would imaging the most desireable combination on a T was 5.5x15 before March 71 and 6x15 thereafter.

Regards
Mike

Also, to clarify, the 5.5 x 15in wheels fitted to '71T models would have been steels not 5.5 x 15in Fuchs.

Thanks Andy
Ok, getting there I think! So The original fitment would have been 5-1/2 X 15 steels or 5-1/2 X 14 Fuchs but there would have been a option of 5-1/2 X 15 Fuchs pre March 71 and 6 X 15 after. What is the difference between 'Flat' and 'Deep' 6's then?

The 5.5 x 15in Fuchs wheels were only fitted to '68S models as std - it's extremely unlikely that they were Factory-fitted to any '71 models ...