TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon May 10, 2010 10:17 pm

I am interested in finding out all I can about the steel slotted rims used on the 356's and 912's, and also on 914's/911's (etc.) as a spare. As far as I can figure, these rims come in 2 width's, 4-1/2" (a narrow rim) and 5-1/2" (a "deep dish" rim). I also understand that these rims came with either slots or as a smooth style of rim (though I haven't seen too much info about the smooth rims and they don't have bumps for hubcaps).

I am planning to run a full set of the 60's 356/912 slotted rims on my '63 bug using ghia rotors and calipers on CB spindles in the front and factory redrilled drums in the rear (type 3 or bug/ghia drums depending on what I can locate). My questions are:

Which years ran the 4-1/2" rims and which years of Porsche ran the 5-1/2" rims (just to narrow the range I am working with some)? Were the wide rims on certain models only?

Were these mounted using studs and nuts or lug bolts?

Lastly, what are my options for hubcaps? I seem to recall finding a "nipple" style cap that fit these rims (at least I thought they did). I haven't been able to find anything on them recently though so I figured I was mistaken about that.

I appreciate the help! Pic below is of the smooth rim.

Andy

Tue May 11, 2010 7:30 pm

All late (c) 356 rims were 4.5" and are stamped with month and year date codes. Small 5 lug pattern was 64 and 65 only. 912 had the 5.5", but I'm not sure what year.

Sat May 15, 2010 6:01 pm

Thanks for the response tperazzo. I bought 5 rims today from an (out of town) tire and wheel shop for $65 a rim ( :shock: :shock: ), but hey, being cool (and different) costs money, right? I was able to take them straight over to Les Schwab for powder coating in the next town over. I had the rims spun at the wheel shop, and I ended up buying the front rims plus a spare in a 4.5" width, and a pair of 5.5" rims for the rear. They have the oval slots too.

I still need to find hubcaps though. The rim shop has some for $25 each but the owner has to dig them out first. Overall I am happy. Ebay costs would have been a minimum of $75 a rim once shipping was figured in, and most of the rims were priced around $75 a rim on Ebay anyways without shipping included. I am picking my rims up next Monday done (powder coated) and the total cost per rim is approx $101.00. Still pretty cheap I guess.

Andy

Sun May 16, 2010 5:23 pm

I have a bunch of later ones from 944's, 924's etc. They are (KPZ) Kronprinz. They are 15x6 but come in a few different offsets.

Thu May 20, 2010 7:47 pm

Damn, I wish I knew that they were available before I bought my rims. I would have used them on the rear instead of the 5.5" rims. Easy enough swap I guess though (for later on). I still have to decide on tire sizes that I want to run on my rims anyways so I can make changes later to suit my taste.

Andy

Thu Jun 24, 2010 12:54 pm

I just bought these today they are all 5.5's missing one cap...I really dont need them so if someone does let me know...maybe one day they'll make it on to something i own

Sat Jul 17, 2010 8:52 pm

vw7266 wrote: I just bought these today they are all 5.5's missing one cap...I really dont need them so if someone does let me know...maybe one day they'll make it on to something i own

how much where are they located thanks dan

Thu Jul 29, 2010 2:27 pm

Lets not forget about the knock off wheels.What is a set of those worth? (Rudge wheels)

Tue Aug 03, 2010 3:36 pm

these are 944's spare wheel for replacing flat tires. they came with new 944's, you can get them at EASY (Porsche junkyard) in Emeryville, Ca 510-653-3279