What tire size fits in the trunk of 1966 standard beetle?

[kokenfarm]

What tire size fits in the trunk of 1966 standard beetle? I have 165/80/R15 on my 1966 and I know they do not fit in the trunk as they are supposed to. Will a 155/80/R15 fit? Or will a 145/80/R15 fit? My Rim/Wheel is a 4.5/15 5 lug. I only need one tire to use as a spare and it needs to fit in the trunk.
Any help or advice would be appreciated...thanks!

[KTPhil]

I was able to shoehorn a 165SR-15 into both my bugs ('65 & '67) after levering the tire well a little wider with a 2x4. Kinda depends on how much front end "interactions" your car has had over the years.

[rcooled]

I have old 5.60-15 bias-plys on stock wheels in both my Beetle & Ghia and they drop right into the spare tire well. You'll struggle a bit to jam anything too much larger in there...and then it becomes a PITA to pull back out.
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'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone)

[KTPhil]

Yes, and be sure to fully inflate it before you put it in the well (oops ). If you add air after, it may not come out until you deflate it.

[shano63]

I have a 155/80/15 on a 5.5 in rim in my 63
edit...stock rim. My other rims are 5.5

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63 T1 Ragtop Gulf Blue
08 Civic 5spd
22 Wrangler 6spd
78 F250 4x4 4spd

Chris

Take it as it comes-- Morrison

[obieoberstar]

165/80/15 with a stock rim fits easily in my '64. It can be rocked side-to-side too, even with the jack in place.

[67conv]

Another 'vote' for 165-80-15 on a stock 4" wide slotted 66-67 rim. Fits snug in the space, not too tight. Easily removed and replaced when properly inflated. Undamaged, original front apron in a 1967 convertible.
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1967 VW Convertible, owned /driven /pampered for 34 years.
1957 DKW 3=6, owned /driven /risen from the dead for 20 years.

Previously owned: 72 "Baja Champion SE" Spec. Edition Super Beetle bought NEW; 79 Convertible bought NEW; 67 type 1 savanna beige; 67 2.0 911S; 73 2.4 911T; 63 356 T6 B Cabriolet; 64 356 SC sunroof coupe; 72 Type-3 Squareback; 68 + 69 Type-3 Fastbacks; 87 Vanagon GL Wasserboxer

[Sun Devil Brain]

[shano63]

Thanks! That pic was from 16 years ago. She's lost some of her shine since then. lol
_________________
63 T1 Ragtop Gulf Blue
08 Civic 5spd
22 Wrangler 6spd
78 F250 4x4 4spd

Chris

Take it as it comes-- Morrison

[bcferrini]

165SR-15 fits perfectly. (Have one in the 'never-damaged' trunk of a '67). Even allows the stock jack storage.
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" I measured twice, cut three times, and it's still too short!"