Why did the PO of my '74 put 195/55/16's on the front?

Tidybuoy · 10-10-2012, 08:33 PM

I am unable to get ahold of the original owner of my '74 911. This guy was a well respected local Porsche mechanic and restored my car with various modifications.

I'm wondering why he put 195/55/16's on the front 6x16 Carrera Fuchs. Most 911's with 16's use a 205/55/16 in the front and I'm debating if I should change size. I'm also thinking that he used this size to create the staggered effect since the mid-year narrow body can't really take anything bigger on the rear (currently 205/50/16 on 7x16's)

I purchased the car from a client who purchased from the mechanic and he gave them a spec sheet that specified the tire sizes. He was a big auto-x'r and I was thinking he reduced the tire size for added sidewall stiffness - but that's just a guess.

Also, there is a spacer on the front that looks about 5-7mm and I'm wondering if that is the norm for cars with 205/55's or did he add this for this other size.

Any advice on this issue would be great.....Thanks, Vern

djdsc · 10-10-2012, 08:57 PM

They probably give the car a nice quick nimble feel. What is wrong with that?

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

I am unable to get ahold of the original owner of my '74 911. This guy was a well respected local Porsche mechanic and restored my car with various modifications.

I'm wondering why he put 195/55/16's on the front 6x16 Carrera Fuchs. Most 911's with 16's use a 205/55/16 in the front and I'm debating if I should change size. I'm also thinking that he used this size to create the staggered effect since the mid-year narrow body can't really take anything bigger on the rear (currently 205/50/16 on 7x16's)

I purchased the car from a client who purchased from the mechanic and he gave them a spec sheet that specified the tire sizes. He was a big auto-x'r and I was thinking he reduced the tire size for added sidewall stiffness - but that's just a guess.

Also, there is a spacer on the front that looks about 5-7mm and I'm wondering if that is the norm for cars with 205/55's or did he add this for this other size.

Any advice on this issue would be great.....Thanks, Vern

An option that was the original front wheel for most '74 911 was 6 x15 ET36 w/185/70x15 tire.

185/70 x15 are very difficult to come by these days so many use a 195/xx as a replacement, starting w/ '76 Carreras 205/xx was an option whuich continued to be offered up through the SC and Carrera series

the front spacer is not oe, the P/O just wanted to fill the wheel well more

depending on what you have in back 205/xx is probably a good alternative but you do want to keep the tire height down to ~25" +/-

Daves911L · Daves911L's Garage

It could have been to balance the car slightly, just as the factory did with the '78 and later models, by reducing the contact patch up front in relation to the rear. The effect would be to induce just a touch more understeer to the car. I think this would be a matter of personal choice. The previous owner just liked it this way. The presence of the spacers suggests he was thorough and did this intentionally. No harm that I can see, and possibly some small benefit. You might find you like it as well.

BTW, must add that you have a very handsome 911. Thumbs up!

racer · 10-11-2012, 07:31 AM

iirc, even the "base" 15" wheels of the 3.2 carrera came with a 195/60 or 195/65 tire up front. 16's would have come with a 205-55 and as mentioned were used to balance out a 225-50 rear. Sometimes, folks run a particular BRAND vs a particular size. Maybe this brand didn't offer a 205-55?

Arne2 · Arne2's Garage

The 205/55 would be significantly taller than the 205/50s you have on the back. I imagine he selected that size to keep the overall tire diameters similar.

SiberianDVM · SiberianDVM's Garage

My 84 Carrera came witht 185/70-15 in front, but I have been running a 195/65-15 on 7" Fuchs. Works well on the street.

Tidybuoy · 10-11-2012, 10:46 AM

Thanks for all the input. I think I will keep my existing tire sizes (195/55/16 and 205/50/16) as the car does seem very nimble and it rides 7 steers fine. I may do a temporary swap with my friend's 205/55/16 for the fronts and see what difference I notice but I agree that the PO did it this way to keep front & rear staggered but balanced.

I can't go any bigger in the rear with the narrow body '74 (unless I got some 951 Fuchs).

I was mostly curious why the PO did what he did. He's a very experienced Porsche guy with his own shop, worked at Canepa Design, and is the owner of many Porsches including a '73 RS (real). I trust his judgement but since he moved, I don't know how to get ahold of him to discuss..

Vern

racer · 10-12-2012, 07:04 AM

For the rears, you could source some 911R spec rears.. they were 15" though.. but you could run a 225-50-15 without issue (my folks did this with their '74S.) Similar to the ET49 of the 911R wheel is the "late offset" 944 wheels.. they are et52.

Minilite also made (makes) a 6.5x15 that will fit front and rear on a narrow car.

Others have made a 7x15 work ok in the rear as well. Comes down to rideheight, camber and massaging the fender lips.