TheSamba.com :: View topic - Cal-Look Beetle Tire Size Questions (1969 Beetle on Stock 4-Lug

Thu Feb 06, 2025 10:50 am

Hi all! I've been gradually working on a Beetle project car here in the Kansas City area, and I've decided that I want to build something aesthetically similar to a Cal-Look Bug with a few differences to make it mine. I am aware that most Cal-Look cars are on aftermarket rims, and I love the way they look, too, but I am running some smoothie rings that another local KC Beetle enthusiast made on my factory rims to give them the look of the 5-lug smoothie wheels.
I am not a tire expert, so please bear with my novice questions, and I will defer to your expertise on this subject:

1. I have narrowed my desired rear tire down to the range of 205/55R15 to 205/70R15, likely settling on 205/60R15. A friend of mine recommends that I don't go more than an inch shorter in diameter on the front wheels, but what are some good tires to pair with these sizes, especially considering how the front will be lowered to get the Cal-Look stance?

1a. 175/65R15 seems to pair well with 205/60R15 and205/65R15 tires, but are they a little on the tall/wide size for this look? I also want to avoid rubbing when I drop the front.

2. I saw other people on The Samba running tires in the range that I am looking for in the rear with no issues, but they were on 5-lug rims. Are the standard non-widened 5-lug rims and the 4-lug rims essentially the same aside from the bolt pattern and aesthetic differences, or do they have any differences in dimensions?

2a. If they are any different, will I have any issues with these tires being too wide to mount?

3. Are there any other tire combinations that you might recommend? Ideally affordable as my Beetle isn't a particularly sought after car, so much as just a fun little weekender. I'm not looking to spend crazy money on tires, but if you have any ideas as to what might work better, I'm all ears!
Thanks for your time and I appreciate your wealth of knowledge!

Smoothie Rings: https://www.deanosvw.com/

5-Lug wheels running wider tires: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=705681[/url]

Thu Feb 06, 2025 3:17 pm

I have 145/15 fronts on a 4.5” rim. Looking to upgrade to something wider. Haven’t decided on a size, yet. Here’s a pic of 205/60r15’s on the rear on my bug.

Tue Sep 09, 2025 10:54 pm

I run 205/65 (same diameter as a 165-15) 5.5 rim
175/65 (same diameter as a 145-15 4.5 rim
On my 68 & 69 bugs both lowered, one with beam and 1 with drop spindles. They don’t rub on either car

Wed Sep 10, 2025 5:35 am

6 months old post but .... why not.

195/55-15 front, 205/60-15 rear BF Goodrich g-Force times on Pedrini 5.515 ET 42 alloys. Front is dropped 3" with AVIS adjusters, width is stock. Rear is 1".