TheSamba.com :: View topic - Will a 205/65r15 fit on a stock height 60 beetle on these rims

Thu Aug 23, 2018 12:09 pm

Will a 206/65r15 and or a 205/70r15 fit on the rear of a stock height 1960 beetle on the rims in the picture.
From what I am measuring they are 5.5” wide but have not measured the back space yet. They appear to be stock style wheels but wider and chrome plated.

Thu Aug 23, 2018 2:43 pm

“Should”

Both of these have 205 tires. Top has 205/65/15, bottom has 205/60/16. Top has been lowered one notch, bottom is stock height. I believe both have 3.5” backspacing.

Thu Aug 23, 2018 2:45 pm

I don’t see any problems. I run 205/70 on the rear of my Beetle on 5-1/2” wheels

My front end is lowered, so i obviously cant run that big of a tire up front. But since you’re at stock ride height, it shouldn’t pose a problem

Thu Aug 23, 2018 4:55 pm

Those wheels with their backspace and a 205/65 will fit short axle cars no problem. I ran those wheels and a 215/75 on a 67 (long axle).

Fri Aug 24, 2018 5:14 am

Thanks, I will measure the wheels and back space, looks like the tire would be close

Fri Aug 24, 2018 5:15 am

Thanks, I will measure the wheels and back space, looks like the tire would be close

Sat Aug 25, 2018 4:29 pm

Just measured
The wheels are 6" wide with a 3.5” back space. Will that push the wheel out too far?

Sun Aug 26, 2018 11:24 am

Sharp64 wrote: “Should”

Both of these have 205 tires. Top has 205/65/15, bottom has 205/60/16. Top has been lowered one notch, bottom is stock height. I believe both have 3.5” backspacing.

What type of tire is on the blue car and are the tires nlackwalls with portawalls?

Sun Aug 26, 2018 12:52 pm

Bigjacksauto wrote: What type of tire is on the blue car and are the tires nlackwalls with portawalls? The tires on the Indigo Blue 60 are real whitewalls purchased from Diamond Back tires. They are Toyo Extenzas.

Sun Aug 26, 2018 8:38 pm

Rims are styled after Porsche 356 B with the oval-shaped cooling holes. They are generically referred to as "chromies" for VWs, though they were also made with a silver-painted finish. Width in this style is either 4.5" or 5.5". Rim width is measured between the INSIDE surface of the lips which are in contact with the tire bead, not the outer edge of the rim where the balancing weights are pressed on.

'66 and '67 US-market Beetles also had slotted rims but the slots were shaped like sausages instead of ovals, and the rim width was only 4.0".

Mon Aug 27, 2018 2:29 am

Rome wrote: Rims are styled after Porsche 356 B with the oval-shaped cooling holes. They are generically referred to as "chromies" for VWs, though they were also made with a silver-painted finish. Width in this style is either 4.5" or 5.5". Rim width is measured between the INSIDE surface of the lips which are in contact with the tire bead, not the outer edge of the rim where the balancing weights are pressed on.

'66 and '67 US-market Beetles also had slotted rims but the slots were shaped like sausages instead of ovals, and the rim width was only 4.0".
I measured best I could from outside of rim bead to bead. They must be 5.5" wide. I will need to buy a pair of 4.5” wide for the front since the 5.5 is a bit wide since I plan on lowering it some. Looks like the ones on jbugs etc. Should match

Mon Aug 27, 2018 3:24 am

Both cars pictured above have 5.5” rims. You need a narrower beam. There is a whole thread here about lowering in the FAQ’s. Check it out.

Mon Aug 27, 2018 11:10 am

Sharp64 wrote: Both cars pictured above have 5.5” rims. You need a narrower beam. There is a whole thread here about lowering in the FAQ’s. Check it out.
Thanks what size tires are on the front of both cars?

Mon Aug 27, 2018 11:19 am

185/60/15 on the Blue 60 and 195/55/16 on the white 64. Both have a 2” narrowed beam. I may be mistaken on the backspacing on the First ones. I had them custom made so it may be different than I said above. I’d have to look it up.

Tue Aug 28, 2018 12:35 pm

Put a firestone 205/65/15 on to check the clearance.
It was close on the inside but still had a minimum 5/16” clearance throughout the swing axle movement . Put a new pair of general altimax rt43 205/65r15 on. worked out great tire width is a little narrower than the firestone and fits great. Thanks for all the help. Now on to the front :vw: