Chassis

I think IRS handles better, even with the skinnier tires. Wide-5s look way cooler tho.

 I just happen to have a set of powder coated 5.5" wide 205mm fives drum skins and the large Porsche lugs for sale ~

Many use 5.5" wide wheels on an IRS non-flare Speedster.  You do have to be concerned with offset and tire size.  A wide stance and IRS provide better handling. Are you going to drive it or look at it?  I actually added 1/2" spacers to front wheels to better fill out the wheel well, clear disc caliper issue, allow for a center allow wheel cap to clear the bearing caps and increase stance for better handling. 

There are threads here on making the IRS rear narrower - use the spyglass search function. To me, going from a more modern IRS rear to swing axle is not an improvement. 

IRS should be where you go in my opinion as well. 

Irs will (of course) be the most fun, while '61- '66 axles and tubes are the shortest, about 1 3/4" per side shorter than '68 and newer swing axle and irs. 1967 axles and tubes are 1 1/8" longer than the earlier assembly, and I don't know the specs offhand on earlier than '61.

With early swingaxle you can fit wider tires and rims on the back, but you're stuck with the swing axle ride characteristics and a camber compensator, while improving handling greatly, does limit rear suspension travel somewhat. I believe every 5x205mm disc brake kit out there (front and rear) adds 5/8- 3/4" or more width per side, so this has to be taken into consideration as well. 

If you go with an irs pan there is a way to fit wider tires and wheels, although it's a bit more involved, as you have to narrow the irs trailing arms. It involves cutting the outer bearing housing loose, moving it inward (I've heard of guys going as far as 34mm, but with the right wheels 3/4- 1" would probably do) and re-welding it all up. Hot VW's did a how to (June 94? I'll look it up later). You'll be looking for wheels with lots of back spacing to make this all work. I've just had a pair of Fuchs 15x6" wheels widened 1" to the inside (the same as the uber rare 911R 7" wheels- if I get a chance I'll post pics later) and am hoping to fit 205 or 215/60's along with type 3 rear brakes under the fenders of my older Intermeccanica.

Lowered spindles on the front, while giving the best handling, will add 5/8-3/4" each side, but so far I don't see fender clearance problems with 6" Fuchs and 185/60's on my car, and I know there are guys running 195's and it works. I've got Karmann Ghia discs, which don't make the car any wider than the comparable year drum brake Beetle (according to my orange Bentley manual).

Hope this helps. Al

Thanks gentlemen. I feel the madness soaking in and I'm powerless to prevent it. I going to need help. Drum skins, what are they?

Protect your drums from communicable diseases. 

Just got a set from CB Perf. Very nice. 

Don;

I have a 73 chassis. Wheels are 5.5" j x 15, Fuchs 2.0L 914 alloy. Like Greg I have spacers on the front and disc brakes. No problems there, only on the back left tire is it close to rubbing,  but that is characteristic of the CMC body.

VW beetle wheel track

          to 1960     Front 1290        Rear 1250

          1961- 1967    front 1305        rear 1288

          1968 on        front 1308        rear  1349

Don Harrison posted:

Thanks gentlemen. I feel the madness soaking in and I'm powerless to prevent it. I going to need help. Drum skins, what are they?

http://www.cbperformance.com/product-p/4430.htm

'71 chassis and, like Art, real 2L 914 Fuchs - same "pinky" worth of clearance on left side.  That's with 185/65x15" Bridgstones.  I'd like to go to rear disc with emergency brake but ca-ching.

Don, you are doomed. This cannot be escaped.