What wheels for '74 911

Jack Seed · 05-31-2001, 10:08 AM

My '74 911 that I just purchased came equiped with ATS cast wheels. They are in mint condition as is the rest of the car. I am not in love with these wheels though. I know there are lots of wheels out there, refurbished or new. I always loved the Fuchs wheels, but am not sure what size will fit a stock '74 911. I would prefer to go to 17" wheels if possible, but I don't know if that is possible. Has anyone tried 16" or 17" Fuchs alloys with maybe 235/45's or 50's? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Also, is there a market out there for some like new ATS wheels?

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magilla · 05-31-2001, 11:07 AM

Jack,

I'm not sure about the fit of 16's, but I am pretty sure that there are no 17" Fuchs. I suspect there is a buyer for nearly anything, if you really want to sell yours.

orbmedia · 05-31-2001, 11:29 AM

First of all there is no such thing as a 17" Fuchs wheel so you're going to have a hard time finding those.

For your car the "correct" wheels would be 6Jx15 Fuchs alloys. You can certainly fit 6Jx16 Fuchs if you want, but going to 7x16 in the rear may be hard because you really have no flare back there. I'm sure quit a few folks will chime in about this fitment.

As for 17" I think you're going to be very limited because of the rear situation. I don't think it's popular to put 17" wheels on pre-SC cars because there are almost no options for the rear.

pbs911 · pbs911's Garage

Ther is a company that makes 17 inch "Fuchs" wheels. They are on the yellow wheels on the cover of Bruce Anderson's Handbook. The company is in Santa Fe Springs, California I think). It looks like they take a 16" Fuch, cut the spokes out and fabricate a new out piece. They look great, but cost about $1,500 each. Too much for me. If it was me, I would go with the Fuchs. For me, Fuchs are at the very essense of a P-car.
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Paul
78SC Targa

jeff91C2T · 05-31-2001, 12:34 PM

I've seen a few Pre-SC flared cars with 15x7 Fuchs on the rear (1974,5, or 6) and front. They were typically close fits with rolled fenders and more negative camber.

One thing to watch for is sometimes you will not have the same wheel spacing from side to side. No two cars are alike. I had a 76 911S and could fit a 7x16 on one side but not on the other. If you have the chance, go to some Porsche events in your area (autocross, swap meets, drivers skills day) and check out similar cars. You can pick up a lot of info this way.

firecall999 · 05-31-2001, 02:05 PM

Jack,
Beware of replica Fuchs wheels.
The real Fuchs are forged, unlike the replicas which are cast.
The cast wheels can snap, unlike the forged ones which will bend. This is very unlikely to happen in normal use, but if you are going to use them on the track this is a serious consideration. Also there have been cases where hitting a kerb has snapped the spokes.

There is an eleven digit number on the back of the real ones. Although I suppose there is nothing to stop someone making replicas with a similar number on them.

I'd go with 16" wheels and avoid any 17" wheels.

If you want 17" I would consider some later model Porsche wheels or a 3rd party wheel.

Alex.

Saffs · 05-31-2001, 04:28 PM

By ATS wheels I'm guess you mean "Cookie Cutters" which were made by ATS (also made the "Teledial one too). These could well of been original for '74, but if you disagree with them aesthetically you're looking at a Fuchs if you're sticking to original specs. I don't think there's a huge market for "Cookies", Ebay might be the best bet. (For pic of a "Cookie Cutter see below.)

Anthony

Jens Wendorff · 05-31-2001, 11:01 PM

Just to add the Factory Spec. for the "normal" (narrow body) 911/912 up to '76:

Stock: 6x15 Front and Rear
Option: 6x15 F, 7x15 R. Check clearance.
Option: 7x15 F&R. Check Clearance.
Option: 6x16 F, 7x16 R. Weld in carrera Flares. Check Clearance. Mount stabilizer.

Also depending on tyre sizes. Most of the combinations You use over the ocean are not released by Porsche-So no way to register here in Germany. I have now 6x15 (old style) Fuchs F&R with 195/65/15 and will go to 7x15 with the same tyres. Still need 2 Fuchs.

P.S.: I would keep the cookies-you will not get good money for, and you will be very pleased to have an extra set of rims when you will do a Fuchs refurbishment in a couple of years...

Rims: Fuchs only for an early car!

Jon Green · 06-01-2001, 01:29 AM

I have the same car, you will definately have to check the fit of 7j rims at the back, the offsets are different.

If you want to keep the car looking 'period' than 6 x 16in fuch back & front go straight on, will improve the handling & look correct.

If you don't mind rolling the rear fenders or maybe adding Carrera arches then go for 7's or wider at the back.

If your car is at Euro height then the 7's will almost certainly rub.

Fuch are the best looking wheel on a car of this vintage.

JG

Jack Seed · 06-01-2001, 03:58 AM

Thanks for all the comments. I guess I would be happy with 15" Fuch's wheels and I could still use my 205/60's on them. Then it would be affordable too. It's funny that the PO replaced the original Fuch's with these cookie cutters, which are like new. I just love the look of the Fuch's.
Thanks again for the comments.

Jens Wendorff · 06-01-2001, 04:18 AM

Jon,

That sounds unusual to me. I already had 7x15 Cookies and 7x16 Fuchs on my rear axle (cant remember the tyre size).
No problems at all. Can you really tell the fit w/o the tyre size?
I think with "narrow tyres like 195/65/15 on 7x15 ther should be no problem. 225 or so may be indeed too wide.

Jens