5.5 x 15 Bolton Classic Chrome Wheels

[Carl G]

I recently had Bolton Classic Chrome refurbish and widen a set of 4 ½ x 15 steel wheels to 5 ½ x 15.
The offset is about 29mm (4.4 inches) with the extra inch added to the outside. However as 185/70 x 15 tires are getting harder and harder to get hold of these days, it looks like the offset could be a little excessive for a 195/65 x 15. Does anyone have any experience fitting these wheel and tire combinations to a narrow body 911 or 912? Are modifications required such as “rolling” the inside of the wheel arch?

[Jaems Thomsen]

You will have to just try them and see, each car is a little different. My 66 will not take 195x65x15 only 185/65/15 without rubbing. However, others claim that theirs will. And yes, you may have to roll the lip on your fenders, being the widening was done on the outside part of the rim.

[andybullen]

continental makes a 175/55/15 eco contact (super low rolling resistance) that are really great, but the sidewall profile may not be tall enough to have the factory look....

[peter leinberge]

Hi Carl, I was going to do the same thing with my '66 912. Have you had any more success with getting your wheels to fit? I was going to go a little wider and use 1/4 " spacers.. Thanks. Peter

[Carl G]

Thank you for your comments and input.

Peter, no I have not fitted the rims yet, I am still pondering 185/65x15 or 195/65x15.
185/65s should fit with no problem, but I would like to get closer to no speedometer error with a 195/65.

Hindsight being the perfect science, I could have had the wheels widened to 6" on a 36mm offset (ET) same as the std Fuchs 6" then there should be no problem

Coker Tires are now remaking a couple of 185/70x15 which should be almost spot on for minimal speedo error against the original 165x15 (82% aspect ratio). The most sensible thing for me to do would be to try and get hold of one old 195/65x15 perhaps from a Craigslist wanted ad, fit it to one of the rims to check for clearance first.