Steel Wheel info needed:

911 tweaks · 02-04-2009, 11:05 AM

is there a thread on Porsche oe steel wheels... sizes made... which sizes were on which race & production cars... different finishes they came with...

Hard to believe, but I am leaning towards some steelie for a backdated SC... possibly in RSR finish color... I guess I could have the doner wheels cut in half and any size width made then, right??

Did Porsche ever make a "forged" wheel in the steelie look to reduce weight??

Thanks guys!
Bob

78-911SC · 02-04-2009, 11:35 AM

I have heard of people cutting in half to make 7R's. Not sure of dimensions. I think Al Reed might do them and/or know the dimensions.

andyjboy · 02-04-2009, 01:23 PM

A steel centre/rivetted alloy rim version was used on the 356 Carrera & 904 models.

Currently there are aftermarket all-alloy versions of the Factory steel wheel design available - but they are very expensive:

mph911 · 02-04-2009, 01:55 PM

Hi Bob...Here are mine, they are 6's and 7's. The 7's are similar to a 7R offset and can fit a 225 on a narrow LWB early car. Its easy to change/modify the offsets and rim widths. I have seen old pics of ST's running super wide steelies on the rear. With your SC flares you could go wide. They are heavy though. I hope this helps.

gestalt1 · 02-04-2009, 03:08 PM

there are a few companies that can cut the rim off the center and weld to a new wider rim with different offset, stocton wheel is one of them. last i checked they charged about $165 ea with powdercoating. i saw also that martin and walker makes a 904 replica and also makes wheels that are the steel center rivited to an aluminum rim as the factory did. no idea what they cost.

911 tweaks · 02-04-2009, 04:24 PM

great info here guys !!

Andy, thx for that info... sorry to hear about the steep $$ for those type w/ steel centers & alloy outers.

Matt... that top picture is what I am talkin about... what color silver is that?? Looks like RSR either beaded and clear powder coated or clear painted possibly over some dull sliver ~ grey color??

Also Matt... any pics of old ST's with the super wide steelies ?? I really need to see what they look like for OE coloring ~ finish they came with for a base line AND if anyone has a pic of such steelies on a SC tub would be perfect so I can see if I am on the right path.

Bob

w21055 · w21055's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by mph911

Hi Bob...Here are mine, they are 6's and 7's. The 7's are similar to a 7R offset and can fit a 225 on a narrow LWB early car. Its easy to change/modify the offsets and rim widths. I have seen old pics of ST's running super wide steelies on the rear. With your SC flares you could go wide. They are heavy though. I hope this helps.

Last picture is darn sexy!! My next project I am thinking steel wheels myself, good luck with what you find.

Phil

Cooper911SC · 02-04-2009, 06:07 PM

Porsche silver wheel paint code 925

911 tweaks · 02-05-2009, 03:26 AM

thanks Cooper on the color info... looks like RSR finish color or is it the internet making it hard to see the true color ??

Matt or anyone... have any pictures of early racers with wide steelies...

Andy, what price are you saying when you say they are expensive i.e. the alloy center with steel rim ??

Also, how heavy is a specific size steel vs the same size fuch ??

Great help here guys !!
Bob

mph911 · 02-05-2009, 12:09 PM

Bob, you will find pics of 904, 906, and plenty of early 911's with different widths and finishes....
.http://www.early911sregistry.org/forum/showthread.php?t=7395 (72 pages)

I have never weighed my steelies, however the wheel alone does feel noticeably heavier than a fuchs WITH a tire.

I had mine powder coated, i just picked through the color chart to find the silver I liked.

regards

andyjboy · 02-05-2009, 01:02 PM

Bob - the picture I posted above is al all alloy wheel ...

I've had similar thought about running some widened steels - I've got these 8x15's stashed away for the rears:

fbarrett · fbarrett's Garage

Friends:

The first 911s came with 4-1/2x15s, then in about 1968 (I recall, help me out if I'm wrong) they went to 5-1/2x15. Can't recall if there was ever a factory 6" or wider steel wheel, but 906s used a very wide steel wheel on the rear.

jackb911 · jackb911's Garage

There was a 15x6 factory steel wheel in 1972...it was standard on the 911E. They are very rare, since most E's were ordered with alloys.

I used to have a set, and wish that I had kept them. They were on my 912 when I sold it way back when.

andyjboy · 02-05-2009, 02:29 PM

Here's a 6x15" steel wheel I also have:

911 tweaks · 02-05-2009, 05:32 PM

WOW Andy... more info please on those 8x15 & 6x15's... are those factory wheels or aftermarket ones?
The 8x15 says Firestone on the inside of the rim... what is that all about ??

Oh boy... I see a slippery slope with those babies !!

Also Andy, could you please be so kind as to weigh both size steelies and report back here with what you find out. By chance were there ever any 16" steelies made?? If so, what sizes ?? Also, any wider than the 8x15 ever made by the factory ??

Thanks a lot!
Bob

911 tweaks · 02-05-2009, 05:35 PM

Also Andy... where can I get size offerings and $$ for the all alloy reproduction wheels ??
Thanks again, Bob

andyjboy · 02-06-2009, 12:51 PM

Bob - the alluminium versions are available in 5.5/6.0/7.0 & 8.0 x 15".

They're made by West Coast Haus in Huntington Beach, CA & prices range from $600-$680 ea depending on width & finish.

http://www.356wch.com/

As for the steel wheels I posted pictures of, the 6x15" version is a Factory wheel but the 8's have been widened - history unknown (but interesting !).

911 tweaks · 02-06-2009, 02:02 PM

so, is 6x15 the widest that the factory made... aside from the 8's you show that some one made up ??
Could you please answer my questions I posted above i.e. weight of 6 & 8 " wide steelies ?

Any idea what the 6x15 steelies cost these days and are they available new or where ??
Bob

andyjboy · 02-06-2009, 02:23 PM

Yes, a 6" wheel was the widest steel wheel fitted to a production 911 by the Factory.

Unfortunately we've had a lot of snow here & I haven't been able to get to my garage where the wheels are stored (also the 6x15" wheel currently has a tyre fitted).

Suffice it to say the 8's are heavy ...

911 tweaks · 02-06-2009, 04:55 PM

what cars did the 6x15 steel wheel come on?? Are they available, rare or rarer than hens teeth to find??
By chance do you have a pair willing to sell ??

You can pm me if you wish or direct email at bobf@design-associates.us
Thanks for all of your help Andy!
Bob