Best tire size for a 73 with 6X15 Fuchs

[dean waller]

Hello, I wanted some opinions here:

I am putting 6X15s back on my 73T (had 7s with 50s previously), and I would appreciate suggestions on the best tire size for the car. I am interested in best balance of aesthetics, and performance, ride quality.
I am not worried about strict adherence to originality.

Also love to hear suggestions on best tire brand/ models for early cars.
Hopefully with VR rating.

Thanks,

Dean

[Scott at Pelican Parts]

I like 205-60-15. Looks pretty close to stock, but has nice performance.

[stormmaster]

I ran 195 60 15 front and 205 60 15 rear when I had my 70T

[dean waller]

Don, did you have 6s front and rear?

And Scott, did the steering get noticeably heavier with the 205s up front?

[tswaney]

205-60-15 here too.

[Dan in Pasadena]

205/60x15's all around. '76 narrow body just (well sorta...I wish) like yours:

[dafischer]

205/60-15's also on my 69T

[Soterik]

Dean,

Most guys I know are running 205/60's....but the closest to OE (185/70 VR 15) would be a 195/65. I think the 205/60's are just fine...

Eric

[dean waller]

205/60/15 sounds like the concensus.

Thanks to all for the info.

[dtw]

Do a search also, there's been a ton of discussion on this in the last couple years.

I had a very pleasant chat with Harvey Weidman about this subject a few weeks ago while discussing the plan for restoring my wheels. He indicated that 205/60 yields the 'correct' sidewall height for the tires while giving the best reasonable tread width for the 6" wheels and narrow fenders. However, he noted that 205/55 was really a great size if the 'correct' height was less of an issue and a more aggressive profile was desired. He noted this was a good compromise between 60 series and 50 series - which offers the best performance, but really looks just wrong on an early 911, due to the very low sidewall height.

Another point of interest he noted was that decreasing profile from the stock sidewall height is essentially a cheap gearing upgrade, and will yield quicker acceleration at the expense of higher cruising RPMs.

I ended up going for the compromise and bought a set of 205/55/15s. Incidentally, at least as of last week, the Tire Rack has Bridgestone Potenza S03s on sale/closeout in that size for $74/each. That's what I bought.

[Early_S_Man]

215/60VR-15 is available; I did them years ago with 6 mm spacers on the front, no spacers needed on the rear.

Yokohama AVS ES-100 is fairly sticky with UTQG 280 A A rating.

[joetiii]

I've got 205 55 15s and am thinking of 50 series. The short sidewall may not be "original" looking but its performance we're after. Anybody got a photo shot of that?

I've got 7s for the rear and am thinking about a 215 45