15x7 and 15x8 Fuchs on a 68' 912?

Toph929 · 08-10-2016, 03:46 PM

Just wondering, would a set of 15x7/15x8 Fuchs fit on a 68' 912? From what i know the 68 is not flared on the rear like the 69' so they may be too wide? To me it still looks like there is alot of room in the wheel well but maybe these are too big for inside? Thanks for the help in advance. Sorry if it was asked i searched but did not see anything about it.

Tony V · 08-10-2016, 04:08 PM

simply: no. (unless you put really low profile tires on and don't lower the car)

cmpski · cmpski's Garage

Tony is correct. No. I've seen 7's all around with 185/70/15's and 195/65/15's but they were a very tight fit. Not all SWB cars are the same. They where hand built and vary a little from car to car.
Chris

Toph929 · 08-10-2016, 05:37 PM

Thanks guys you saved me alot of trouble and also just the plain wondering for awhile. I hope to pick up a 68 912 when i can get the funds and i have these wheels and wanted to use them if possible. But i had a feeling they would not work, thanks for confirming i really appreciate it!

Ivory 912 · 08-11-2016, 04:45 PM

Also depends on the offset of the rim.

I have 15x7 rims on the back of my '67 with no issues

Toph929 · 08-11-2016, 05:36 PM

Hmm I never thought of that. So maybe i could use the smaller wheel (7) for the rear and then get a regular non dished fuch to run in the front (or maybe just go square set and get another pair of the 7's i have and run them all around if they work up front)....

Do you have any pics of your car running the 7 in the rear you could post?

Jaems · 08-12-2016, 10:07 AM

What type of Porsche did the rim come off from? A 911, 944, or a 928 early 911 like 73 or 74 have a different off set than the others. The wider the tire, the more air you need to push and the more torque to move them.

If you are looking for that California hot rod look with no go. Then stick those big tires under the 912. However, the more rubber, the more strain on the suspension when cornering unless you beef up the suspension contact points. In time they could tear out, some did in the old days, racing.

These cars were designed to use nothing bigger than a 185X70x15 on a 6" rim. They also were not design for staggered tire sizes. My car 66 will not take anything bigger than a 185X65X15. Without rubbing on the inside of the front wheel well while turning. I also had only a quarter of a inch clearance on the inside from the strut tube.

If they are too big in the rear. You can roll the outer rim lip flat to give you another half inch on the outside. You also want to make sure the the side wall of the tire is flat and does not bulge out to help with the clearance on both the front and rear. Also Do not lower the car.

You might consider trading them off to someone for a set of 6 x15" Fuchs rims.

Toph929 · 08-12-2016, 10:17 AM

I agree with you guys, i dont want to mess with the car or have a terrible ride just for looks. I think they were off a 944 they are very wide, kinda like 930 fuchs (big wide dish in the rear). After reading and thinking about it im going to post them in the classifieds and use the money for other things that the car will need.

Any idea what they are worth?

Pic: TheSamba.com :: Gallery - fuchs

Jaems · 08-12-2016, 10:23 AM

If they are real Fuchs, a lot now days especially to racers. Again, it also depends on the off set.

Toph929 · 08-12-2016, 10:24 AM

They are def real, they have the stampings on the back with the fox and the 911 code. Is $500 a wheel way too much to ask?

08-12-2016, 11:49 AM

As with everything, the price should have the correct relation to the quality. I have seen sets of nice refurbished 7J and 8J for double that asking price and they were sold. So ...

However, never buy them unseen. Lot of original 8J Fuchs wheels have (minor) cracks - specifically the 8J. Remember all original classic Fuchs wheels are 30 to 40 years old.

If you want the looks of the Fuchs wheels, why not buying a set of nice 7 inch replicas and spend - as already suggested - the rest of the money on the mechanics of the car. A set of new suspension bushings and shocks will give you more driving fun tha a set of wheels.

Otto

Toph929 · 08-12-2016, 11:51 AM

I totally agree. Im going to post these in the classified and use the funds for the actual mechanics of the car. Great point!

Jaems · 08:41 AM

The real Fuchs are forged, so cracks are unlikely. More of being bent or out of round. That is why you have them spun up and see if they are true. There are places that can straighten them. The after market are the ones that will crack. They are cased and not forged.

The selling price would depend on how bad someone wanted them or needed them. are they 15' or 16"?.

The're spacers you can use with the 7" and you can roll the outer fender lips to give you more space. However, I still think the 6" wide Fuchs is the best for a street car, or 6" steels. Again, I would also think about the tire size. The taller and wider the tire, the more chance of rubbing, as stated earlier, against the inter part of the front wheel well or struts. 185x70x15 or bigger may or may not rub on your car they do on my 66. I have to use 185x65x15. It turns out; I like the look of the 185x65x15 on my car. It doesn't have the too tall of a side wall look for a short wheel base and flat side 912.

Toph929 · 08-14-2016, 03:43 AM

Hey Jaems - they are 15s, no cracks (i inspected them very closely), stamped with the right numbers and i did have them put on a tire balancing machine to see if they were bent and my mechanic said they were not. I see now why these would not work on a 912 esp the pre 69' ones with no fender flare. Your car is gorgeous btw! If i end up getting the car i want (its a 68') i am going to stay with more of the look with the fuchs you have on yours (or ill go steelies). I also dig the panasports as well. Do they bolt right up (panasports)?

Jaems · 08-14-2016, 08:15 AM

I am not familiar with Panasports. I would stay with a forged or steel wheel. With a cast wheel, they could beak if you hit a curb or deep pot hole too hard.

Another reason I stay with the 6" or less wide rim. The last time I had the front aline was in 1989. When I had to replace a leaky front strut. The tires still wear true. The steering is as tight as the day it left the factory with the original bushings. The steering wheel movement is the same as if it is parked, with no play. I just do not want to mess with a car that drives and handle like it is suppose to.

08-16-2016, 02:08 PM

Basically Jaems is right and should I have mentioned my note regards the Northern European market. I have seen some examples from offered cracked early wide (8J and more) wheels. On European Porsche forums it is the subject of many threads.

Of course I don't know the history of the relevant wheels. The Fuchs wheels are very popular for the (ab)use in (hotrod) autocross, not the most desirable environment to keep these wheels in perfect condition. With prices raising, a lot of these wheels are refurbished and put on the market to gain some money.

This, in combination with environmental influences, like tons of salt on our roads during winter, perhaps some metal fatigue has its influence, could decrease the quality of the forged metal. In addition the thinner design of the early wider Fuchs wheels could play a role.

I also still love my original Fuchses ...

Otto

Puma · 08-17-2016, 12:58 PM

15x7's will fit on your car, regardless of what anyone says. Lots of people have done this and yet somehow many people still say you can't. A bit of negative camber is required. See Speedo's 912 build thread, and Grady Clay even ran 15x7's.

andybullen · andybullen's Garage

These are hand-built cars, so they're all a bit different - but generally speaking, 7's are cake, look good, and will fit with little to no modification. 8's are the real challenge. With the right offset, a slight camber adjustment and tire choice, it can be done.