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spinnin4s
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2020
Posts: 13
Location: Southern California
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 Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2024 6:28 pm Post subject: Optimum rim size for a 560R15 Autobahn radial tire |
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What would be the optimum wheel size to run on Autobahn radial 560R15 tires? I am looking at the stock 1967 style slotted 15x4.5 or 15x5.5 wheels.
Also would the Autobahn tire and rim fit the front spare tire storage area? Thanks in advance. |
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OldSchoolVW's 
Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2020
Posts: 1132
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2024 10:04 pm Post subject: Re: Optimum rim size for a 560R15 Autobahn radial tire |
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| spinnin4s wrote: |
What would be the optimum wheel size to run on Autobahn radial 560R15 tires? I am looking at the stock 1967 style slotted 15x4.5 or 15x5.5 wheels.
Also would the Autobahn tire and rim fit the front spare tire storage area? Thanks in advance. |
Contact the Autobahn distributor you are thinking about purchasing from or Autobahn manufacturer direct. They will tell you what width wheel is acceptable for this size. Actually, this info is usually provided online in the info about the tire. Look to see if there is a "Specifications" link you can click on.
Yes, a 560R15 will fit nicely in the spare tire well if you use a 15x4.5 wheel. I don't believe a 5.5 inch wide wheel was ever a factory stock size on a bug. I don't think it will cause a problem with that size tire fitting though.
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Tom
"Following distance is proportional to IQ."
"If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do." Warren Miller
"But I also have to say, for the umpty-umpth time, that life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death, that's all." William Goldman
'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
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spinnin4s
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2020
Posts: 13
Location: Southern California
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| Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2024 11:04 pm Post subject: Re: Optimum rim size for a 560R15 Autobahn radial tire |
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Thanks for the information-I emailed the Autobahn tires US distributer asking their wheel recommendation. I want to use VW stock 66-67 Beetle rims-either 15 x 4.5 or 15 x 5.5.
Spinnin4s
1965 red convertible
1967 red convertible |
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Bruce
Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2003
Posts: 17479
Location: Left coast, Canada
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| Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2024 3:32 am Post subject: Re: Optimum rim size for a 560R15 Autobahn radial tire |
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| spinnin4s wrote: |
| I want to use VW stock 66-67 Beetle rims-either 15 x 4.5 or 15 x 5.5. |
Stock 67 wheels never came 4.5 or 5.5". Only 4" wide.
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Nebenz
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2015
Posts: 13
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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| Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2024 7:42 am Post subject: Re: Optimum rim size for a 560R15 Autobahn radial tire |
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| Great question. I have 15 x 7s in the rear and 15x5.5s in the front of my 65 bug. If I wanted low profile tires, which manufacturer is best based on this forums experience? |
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Dusty1
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Joined: April 16, 2004
Posts: 1751
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| Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2024 8:40 am Post subject: Re: Optimum rim size for a 560R15 Autobahn radial tire |
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| spinnin4s wrote: |
Thanks for the information-I emailed the Autobahn tires US distributer asking their wheel recommendation. I want to use VW stock 66-67 Beetle rims-either 15 x 4.5 or 15 x 5.5.
Spinnin4s
1965 red convertible
1967 red convertible |
I'm pretty sure '66- '67 wheels still require tubes. The bead area on the "tube" rim is different compared to later rims. Tubeless rims have an extra rib to retain the bead.
Why this matters:
I had the flaw in the bead of a 175/65-15 tire mounted on a "tubeless" 6" rim. The tire held just fine until it didn't. It held 35psi for weeks on end and then went completely flat without warnings. It did that a few times. I finally said, "Screw it!" and replaced the tire and the rim. No problems, now!
I would shop around and find "Porsche" style 5.5" rims designed for 356 replicas. There are some really good ones available. Modern rims, modern tires... no problem!
Or you can deal with new tires on old rims that leak around the bead. For comparison most riding lawn mowers and "zero turns" come with tubeless tires on "tube" rims. The clever bastards! It's planned obsolescence. The tires hold just fine for the first year or so. Then they don't.
| Nebenz wrote: |
| Great question. I have 15 x 7s in the rear and 15x5.5s in the front of my 65 bug. If I wanted low profile tires, which manufacturer is best based on this forums experience? |
"I fixed my headlights now my car won't start..." 
Tires are like @$$H01E$. Everyone has one. Erm... at least four. Except for my bikes. Those are two each.
Seriously, tire manufacturers are so diverse and varied it's impossible to pick one although everyone has an opinion. I generally lean towards premium tires. Cross Pirelli off that list now that they're owned by the Chinese.
Stock VW tires are about 25.5" tall. We usually go a little shorter in the front, a little taller in the rear.
https://www.angelfire.com/pa5/carclub/tiresize.html
https://premiertiresandwheels.ca/pages/tire-size-g...Av97b6Z-90
I'm running Toyo Observe tires on both ends. 175/65-15 fronts, 195/65-15 rears. They're inexpensive, they wear well and I won't get stuck in absolutely embarrassing conditions like when I park on someone's wet lawn.
I'll mention "plus one, plus two" applications but I won't explain. You can go 205/55-15 or so on your 7" rims.
Refer to the handy charts.
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Last edited by Dusty1 on Sat Sep 07, 2024 9:28 am; edited 1 time in total |
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bnam
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Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 3357
Location: El Dorado Hills CA/ Bangalore, India
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| Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2024 9:10 am Post subject: Re: Optimum rim size for a 560R15 Autobahn radial tire |
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The stock VW wheels were tubeless ready from Aug 1956. In 66-67, stock wheels were 4J x15 and mounted with 5.60-15 bias ply. 155SR 15 radials may have been an option.
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1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
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1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL |
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spinnin4s
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2020
Posts: 13
Location: Southern California
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| Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2024 1:32 pm Post subject: Re: Optimum rim size for a 560R15 Autobahn radial tire |
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I recently purchased a beautiful '67 restored convertible Beetle. The car came with a new 560x15 spare tire mounted on a 4J15 rim. Looks great, but now I'm unable to pull the spare out of the wheel well-it's wedged in tight-probably have to lower the tire pressure to remove it  Will have to carry a spare tire inflator in case of a flat..
spinnin4s
'65 red convertible
'67 restored red convertible |
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bnam
Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 3357
Location: El Dorado Hills CA/ Bangalore, India
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| Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2024 5:43 pm Post subject: Re: Optimum rim size for a 560R15 Autobahn radial tire |
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My theory is that tires from different manufacturers- while rated at the same size, seem to vary slightly in size. I remember having a 165/80R15 (I forget brand) that would get wedged in in my 71 super’s spare well. But the current Bridgestone B800s fit very well. I recently posted a pic of the same tire fitting easily in a 74 standard’s spare well.
Perhaps we should create a list of tires that fit.
_________________
1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
Click to view image
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL |
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spinnin4s
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2020
Posts: 13
Location: Southern California
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| Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2024 6:11 pm Post subject: Re: Optimum rim size for a 560R15 Autobahn radial tire |
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| Great idea-and perhaps maximum rim sizes that fit into the tire wheel well.... |
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