New Tires for my VS Speedie built 2008

I suggest that you have one mounted and try it.  You probably know that it's really close to your fender lip with your 185s already...............Bruce

Sometimes you will only find out if it really fits when you hit a bit bump or a dip in the road,  that is when you will bottom out on the body and you say gee... was I dumb doing that... measure twice cut once as the saying goes. :") 

How much room is there to the fender lip now with the 185's? Enough to add 1/4" (actually, 5mm)? Can you get that tire in 195/60?

You have a VS so most likely swing rear axle but rear discs add to axle width. 

@Napa Paul

FWIW here is a pic of my set-up for visual reference.

VS with swing axle, all disc brake, on Empi fake Fuchs (15 x 5.5) with 4.5" offset. For lower profile/stance & wider rubber, I run 185/60R15 tires (zero tire rub)

Hope you find this info helpful...(click on pics to enlarge).

Man that car is fast standing still.  

What tires are these, Jim? They're looking ichiban!

They will scratch that itch on Fuch look alikes for sure. 

MusbJim posted:

@Napa Paul

FWIW here is a pic of my set-up for visual reference.

VS with swing axle, all disc brake, on Empi fake Fuchs (15 x 5.5) with 4.5" offset. For lower profile/stance & wider rubber, I run 185/60R15 tires (zero tire rub)

Hope you find this info helpful...(click on pics to enlarge).

That's one of the nicest " all round "  looks on the list for sure. Excellent combo of various features. 

IMHO,   MUSBJIM's speedster is perfect in every detail ~

ALB posted:

How much room is there to the fender lip now with the 185's? Enough to add 1/4" (actually, 5mm)? Can you get that tire in 195/60?

How much room, you ask?  M-m-maybe 1/4", and "yes" I can get the tire in 195/60. I don't think I'll be gambling, though, on buying even one + the effort of swapping it onto my Speedie...without a really good feeling about it fitting 100%. I save my gambling for the tables and counting cards as best I can....not with doing anything that might fruck up Speedie. That's potentially way too expensive.

Black a car that is pretty much a given that the car will be awesome looking and with fuchs it makes it even more shiny .... You need a good california duster every day but here we need a wash, and blow dry.

Some of us want really really fast and won't stop mucking about with our car until it's faster than it can ever be. Some of us are into handling and so the wheels and tires get wider and the money goes into brakes and sway bars and then redesigned suspension systems until the car is like nothing else on the road. Some of us try for period correct detailing and won't quit until we've done every damn thing possible, including impossibly skinny tires and drum brakes. Some just love shiny and perfect, and some guys want to create patina and that becomes a whole other thing.

All these cars are pretty nice in their own way but Jim (and Vintage) really did a remarkable job making his car. All the subtle details work together for a result that basically everyone loves.

That's good taste, manifest.

 

Paul L. Watts posted:

What tires are these, Jim? They're looking ichiban!

@Napa Paul Paul, these are Kumho ES01. I'm a cruiser and don't really hot rod or race my car around the twistys. I put a lot of miles on this daily driver (100,000 on previous VS. 35,000 on current VS) so I was going for durability. Its a decent all around tire for my use.

Here's a pic of tread pattern.

There's that old adage: If it ain't broke, don't fix it! That certainly would apply to your car and those Kumho's, eh?! Mine's just the opposite in that I've got only 18,000 miles in 10 years on the road....with half of them taking every twisty I could find. The other half was just driving to and from those back roads.  My question about tires fitting originated from thoughts of getting as much rubber down on the pavement as I can. Since my original 185/65R15's have worked for me AND my Speedie...I guess I should stick with that size and "don't fix it." I will, though, keep my eye out for something that has a more "aggressive" tread AND the highest rating for "Dry" driving. You see, she NEVER leaves the barn with a cloud in the sky. I look forward to cruzin' with you, Jim, at SLO in June!

@Napa Paul 

I’m testing summer tires also and bought Toyo R888R. Initial test  has been great. Can’t wait for summer. 

Paul L. Watts posted:

There's that old adage: If it ain't broke, don't fix it! That certainly would apply to your car and those Kumho's, eh?! Mine's just the opposite in that I've got only 18,000 miles in 10 years on the road....with half of them taking every twisty I could find. The other half was just driving to and from those back roads.  My question about tires fitting originated from thoughts of getting as much rubber down on the pavement as I can. Since my original 185/65R15's have worked for me AND my Speedie...I guess I should stick with that size and "don't fix it." I will, though, keep my eye out for something that has a more "aggressive" tread AND the highest rating for "Dry" driving. You see, she NEVER leaves the barn with a cloud in the sky. I look forward to cruzin' with you, Jim, at SLO in June!

The factory has been putting wider tires and wheels on the backs of 911's for over 40 years for a reason. If they make 195/60's or 195/65's in the brand/tread you're comfortable with it's worth the effort to see if you have the room for them. Look for a junk tire at a tire shop or try a place that specializes in used tires for something just to see how it fits (you only need 1)before buying .

It's not 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'- it's making it better!  Al

You could always have the rear wheels widened towards the interior and then put a larger tire. I would look at what IM.  Has done on their cars for sizes ... that might be an ounce of better