Tire Clearance

I have a VS Speedster with regular fenders and stock 165's.
I would like to go with 205's but not sure if they will fit.
I was told to go with 185's, but am sure I have seen on
fitted with 195's.
Any advise appreciated.

Clearances (or lack thereof) will depend on the width and backspace measurement of your wheels.

I'll go do that and get back
thanks

George
The tires are 165X15
Now comes the intresting part
The rims are Porsche Chrome wheels with 10 holes around the axle.
The measurements are 7X16 but after checking the tire size realized the measurement is at the bead...I think...So to answer your question....I think the rim size it 6X15.

Deane, remember to check the clearance on BOTH sides. I switched from 195/70 x 14 (on mags) to 15 inch Porsche Fuchs and disc brakes. I bought four 195/60 x 15 tires they they fit great on the front and just cleared on the driver's side. Unfortunately, they did not clear the passenger side. I ended up trading in the tires for 185/65s.
I know that Intermeccanicas have a 7 inch rear wheel and you can fit a 205 on the back (I've even seen an IM with a 225/50 on the back). I wonder how a 16 inch Boxster wheel would fit in the back?
Ron

CMC / FiberFab Speedsters do have a difference in L and R rear body to tire spacing, problem is in the molds... the rear passenger side wheelwell tends to be off by as much as 3/8".

Does anyone know about the clearance with a Vintage Speedster?

I just looked up on the Vintage Speedster site and it says the rims are 5 1/2 X 15, so my theory of the tire bead was ...
well, actually a shot in the dark.
So is it the tire height or the width that is the clearance issue?

185-65-15 Dunlops just barely clear on 5.5s on my VS (rear set low)

Thanks
that's what I needed to know as mine is lowered aswell

That's on swing axles!!!!! BTW

Vintage, swing axle too. I'm runnin' same size wheels and tires as Jim and I have decent clearance on one side of the car and no margin for error on the other side...guess that's why I tend to ride side-saddle.

195x60x15" Michelins on 5 1/2"x15" wheels with 4 1/8" backspace clear front and rear on my IM Speedster; I'm always surprised to hear that some replica bodies are so poorly mounted to the chassis that the clearance varies widely from side to side.

See what an extra $25K gets you?

My VS has regular fenders, swing axel, 4 bolt 5.5" rims and 185/65 Bridgestone tires.
Ride Ht. from the top of rear fender well to garage floor is 21.5"
Minimum tire clearance to fender 1/2" on Rt side and 3/8" on left.
Minimum clearance occurs at the top of the fender well.

George... I have looked at many speedsters with the same clearance problems .
On most, it's not the mounting placement of the Speedster body to chassis as the rear of the tunnel "hump" almost centers itself on the reverse "hump" of the speedster body.
It seems to be the overall body mold(s) that is the problem.

Alan

I don't think that George's new car has ever been humped...that's the problem.
Ron

.......It is better to be the "humper" than the "humpie"

Ron O - don't quit your day job...

My VS has a long axle 68 tranny. I have the standard Mangel 5.5X15 inch wheels with 185s on the rear and 165s on front. I have no space on either side (rear) for larger tires. The inside of the cross-section width of tire is under 1/2" from the spring plate adjuster and the outside of the tread width is under 1/2" from the fender.

Ron, I about choked on my morning Bagel. Wasn't Humper the name of a character in the Bambi movie?

No, Thumper.

Well I went to get the 185x65x15
But they talked me into Michelin 190X60X15's all around
They have a better speed rating and a much larger tire patch.
I put 24 lbs and they are soft and quiet.
Oh yeah I have a finger width of clearance on the right and a pincel's worth on the left.
I'll let you know down the road if I have errored

Went for a 40 mile ride and now I can slide
my hand between the fender and the tire...no sweat

Great Deane! Could you post pics of the car with the 190/60s? I'd like to see how it sits!

Your Speedometer will have to be recalibrated. Speedo will be about 5 miles off.

I took a 200 mile drive and all ok
Even went into Mexico...ooops
Well you wanted bumps ...Right?
I will work on the photos
It looks sic

Today I took my 300+ friend for a ride and all is well
Photos to follow

My computer is down but I have them on
my e-mail, so if anyone wants the photos
write me at grampster46@yahoo.com and
I will send them to you.
Otherwise I will get on them when the
laptop gets back.
Later, Deane

I've seen the pics, sans the 300 lb right seater in Mexico, and the car sits pretty good. I'm thinking about looking at some before I replace mine for Knotts drive. Nice looking car!

Thanks
When is Knott's
Deane

Never mind I will look it up
later