Opinions on '74 Euro

jphillips-998 · jphillips-998's Garage

Okay, so I'm cleaning up the Carrera and it has me thinking about wheels. I am leaving everything as original as possible. No fancy fan or shroud, no painted bits, going for more like it came from the factory.

I have 2 sets of fuchs. 7/8 x 16 (911) and 7/8 x 16 (951). The question is do I swap out the 16's for 15's?

I have just refinished the 16's but I'm guessing I could sell those and pick up some 15's if that seems to be the way to go.

Opinions welcome.

Here are the 16's.

Canada Kev · 05-12-2009, 08:26 PM

Finding rubber might be a bit of an issue. OK, wait a minute... That's a Euro Carrera? If so, I would definitely go for the 15s.

I currently have 7/8 15s and the rubber is not too bad to locate. I have Yokos IIRC. So the tires are out there. Probably easier to find a selection than if you are looking for factory turbo rears in 245. Selection is no where near what is available for 16s or 17s, though. Especially for higher performance street applications.

Your wheels do have a nice sheen. How did you refinish? Paint? If so, what'd you use?

jphillips-998 · jphillips-998's Garage

I'm leaning toward the 15's as well.

Thanks for the wheel comment. I used 3 different compounds and two different pads.

Started with a wool pad on an oribtal with rubbing compound. Then I went to a less aggressive (yellow) foam pad with a medium grit compound and finished with Mothers metal polish and a drill with a Fritz? polishing ball. Same as the mother's ball.

Centers are a primer and satin black spray paint. I did the other set years ago w/the same process, tracked the wheels and they still look pretty good.

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

15x7 and 15x8

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

I believe 15s were correct for all '74s including the Carreras.

Macroni · Macroni's Garage

Got to keep the 15s, IMO 16s will never look right on the car.

911st · 05-13-2009, 06:27 AM

16's should not be a deal or value killer and it should not be hard to trade the more valuable 16's for 15's at any time.

Having sad that, 15's are lighter and can have a gearing advantage for the track but are not much fun if you use low profile tires, on the freeway. Check out the R888 in 225/235's.

If you are showing the car, 15's with tall tires.

austin552 · austin552's Garage

Ill swap my 15s for your 16s if you want.

jphillips-998 · jphillips-998's Garage

Thanks all....I guess I'll be listing the 16's....damn...lots of polishing went into those wheels.

jphillips-998 · jphillips-998's Garage

I anyone is interested, I have listed the 16's on Ebay....

911st · 05-15-2009, 08:29 PM

I hope you have looked it to tire choices for the 15's and have found something you can live with. Pay special attention to tire height. They should be close to 25" tall. Low profil 15's can be about 23" tall which migh be fun on the track but not fun on the street or freeway.

jphillips-998 · jphillips-998's Garage

Quote:

I hope you have looked it to tire choices for the 15's and have found something you can live with.

What sizes are you 15er's running?

Original was 185/70 and 215/60...the fronts don't seem to be readily available.

The car really is not going to be driven often but I do want a nice performance tire.

krd · 05-16-2009, 10:27 AM

i have 15's 7,8's for sale. pm me.

jphillips-998 · jphillips-998's Garage

Tell me you want a TON of $$ for them...I already bought a set.

RSTarga · 05-16-2009, 10:42 AM

The tire selection for 15's is not very good. I kept my 15's but put a set of 16's on so I could get some decent high performance tires.

911st · 05-16-2009, 07:55 PM

There are not many choices which is why you see 7&8/15's for sale around $750 but 7&8/16's are more like $1200 +.

If you do not mind a DOT race tire, the R888's in a 225/235 might be worth looking at. Other wise you end up with little 23" tall tires so you run at 4K on the freeway and scrape often cause you are riding so low.

Canada Kev · 05-16-2009, 09:12 PM

On my 7 and 8" 15s, I am running Yokohama Avid H4s I believe. They are 185/65 and 205/60. They are quiet, comfortable and seem to handle fairly well. I don't have any other tire experience with this car to know for sure, though. Their height is about 24.5" and a slightly more for the rears. If you are planning real high performance driving, these might not be the best choice.

fryardds · fryardds's Garage

Jeff,

I have the same wheels as you have now on my RS and have 205/55 on the front and 225/50 on the rear. Certainly not stock but a nice compromise for handling and look. There are 7 mm rear spacers which was stock for the RS and maybe the Carrera 2,7 too. Also the car is lowered a bit for the same reasons.

I am planning to put together a set of correct date coded 6 & 7 X 15s (again original configuration for the RS) with original profile tires for fun but that is a different story.......

jphillips-998 · jphillips-998's Garage

Thanks guys. I appreciate your help.

Beautiful car Brian!

I like the look of the 205/225 combo. Coker sells some Michelin's in the 185/70/15 size...$407 per tire. As my car will not be a true "concour" car, I don't need that kind of rubber just something a bit more correct.

I also looked up the Yoko's and the 185/205 might be an option as well.

911st · 05-17-2009, 06:49 AM

Jeff, you understand that Brian is running 16's on his RS, not 15's. He makes a good point about ride height. A stock car has a taller setting. Add 15's to a stock ride height and most will not think it looks as proper as with 16's and set at so called Euro Height.