Period Correct Tire Recommendations Options

[Beach914]

Ive been looking at the vredestein 185/70r15’s for my LE. Tire Rack has them. Its a period tire.

[bkrantz]

195/65-15 is another possibility that will provide the correct sidewall height and a bit more width. Regardless hat you choose, they‘ll age out before they wear out.

I bought 195/65-15 Sumitomos for my 4 running wheels, but to fit the spare under the frunk floor, I got a Vredestein 155R-15. That's the original 914-4 size and rather skinny, especially next to a modern 295/35-19 from the rear of my 2017 991.

[jagalyn]

In the FWIW department, the COA on my '70 -6 listed Dunlop 165-15 as original equipment. That being said, it had 185/70-15 on when I bought it, and ever since.

I have Dunlop SP 57’s on my 74 15,000 mile car. They are original. But unfortunately period correct Dunlop's are not available. So, I'm trying to figure out the best option.

Are the original tires on the original wheels, and not cracked on their sidewalls? If so, that's beyond cool and I'd be tempted to buy an extra set of wheels and mount 165R15 XZX or XAS if the car will only see light driving.
.

My Dunlop SP 57 tires are original on the original Fuchs. They have under 15.000 miles. No cracks in the sidewalls. I purchased another set of Fuchs from Brad Mayeur, 914 Ltd and will run a set of one of these tires. The original Dunlop SP tires and rims I will save for provenance and history of the car.

All three tires look good. Not sure I could justify the additional cost of the XAS over the XZX or Vredestein with limited and light driving.

I like them both but lean to the fact that the XZX were original to the 914 and it looks good… and they are truly period correct since they came on 914’s from the factory when new.

[flipb]

Vredestein also makes tires with modern tread patterns in vintage sizes. I put Vredestein T-Trac tires in 165/80R15 on my '74 and I've been very happy with driving feel and grip.

[wonkipop]

@jagalyn .

not sure how "correct" you want to be - a XZX (1975) is slightly out.
at best the last batch of 75 cars might have got them.
or you might have put a set on as replacements in the late 70s.
XZX superseded ZX.

914s had ZX (1968) fitted new in some markets.

XAS (1968) were a choice for sixes with 14 inch wheels.

attached an image i took of dr. marchant's 74 1.8 in the porsche museum 15 years ago.
don't know if they are original tyres. if not i'm guessing proper replacement originals. ZX. car is otherwise unrestored i believe. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[wonkipop]

extra tit bit.
piech 8 from same time i took snaps of mr. m car.

looks like it was running dunlop SP sports at that time.
you can buy a dunlop SP classic at present - very similar modern tread pattern to piech car in classic sizes.

[wonkipop]

this was with photos of other 2.
dr. f porsche's 8.
was running XWX.
serious tyre for the time.
checked out prices -- i thought XAS burned a thermo nuclear hole in my wallet! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)



(bum steer on ZX above, period correct but michelin don't do them in the size, only the XZX in a 15 for a 914.)

[Van B]

I did some maths, and in order to correct the speedometer/odometer to actual, I’m going to need a 185VR15. I misspoke on my earlier post. I have 195/65-15 currently and that gives me a 5mph error from GPS actual (indicating 5mph faster than actual).
Going to the OE 165VR15 would bring me to 3.5mph optimistic. The difference there is 25” (635mm) to 25.4” (645mm) in diameter.
So, moving up to a 185VR15 puts me at 26.4” (670mm) or indicating 0.5mph slower than actual.

Based on that, the Vred’s are the most cost effective and the Michelin XVS are the cool guy choice.

[Jett]

this was with photos of other 2.
dr. f porsche's 8.
was running XWX.
serious tyre for the time.
checked out prices -- i thought XAS burned a thermo nuclear hole in my wallet! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)



(bum steer on ZX above, period correct but michelin don't do them in the size, only the XZX in a 15 for a 914.)

+1 this is what we use

[wonkipop]

i don't think you can go wrong with a vred at 185 @Van B

i was set on going 165 wide and getting that steering feel back.
i got a bit nervous and went for the best i could do at that width.

dunno about being cool, dumb maybe parting with the $?
would have been plenty angry if they were awful.
i had to make a few phone calls for reassurance from a couple of guys who run them before making the final call.
the NO version (porsche rated) are tubeless. i think all the other XAS require tubes.
i would not have got them if they had to have tubes. i think that is the sole reason for the porsche rating of NO, it is to do with being a tubeless tyre version.

the XZX are also all tubeless.

[wonkipop]

this was with photos of other 2.
dr. f porsche's 8.
was running XWX.
serious tyre for the time.
checked out prices -- i thought XAS burned a thermo nuclear hole in my wallet! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)



(bum steer on ZX above, period correct but michelin don't do them in the size, only the XZX in a 15 for a 914.)

+1 this is what we use

well --- you won't be complaining about those.
did you get them for a reasonable price?
the $ tag on them here in aus is beyond eye-watering. talking $600+ (aud) a corner.

[Van B]

i don't think you can go wrong with a vred at 185 @Van B

i was set on going 165 wide and getting that steering feel back.
i got a bit nervous and went for the best i could do at that width.

dunno about being cool, dumb maybe parting with the $?
would have been plenty angry if they were awful.
i had to make a few phone calls for reassurance from a couple of guys who run them before making the final call.
the NO version (porsche rated) are tubeless. i think all the other XAS require tubes.
i would not have got them if they had to have tubes. i think that is the sole reason for the porsche rating of NO, it is to do with being a tubeless tyre version.

the XZX are also all tubeless.

Good call on tube vs tubeless. I checked again and the XVS is tube type so, that means the vred is my only option if I want to get the speedometer accurate.

[wonkipop]

i don't think you can go wrong with a vred at 185 @Van B

i was set on going 165 wide and getting that steering feel back.
i got a bit nervous and went for the best i could do at that width.

dunno about being cool, dumb maybe parting with the $?
would have been plenty angry if they were awful.
i had to make a few phone calls for reassurance from a couple of guys who run them before making the final call.
the NO version (porsche rated) are tubeless. i think all the other XAS require tubes.
i would not have got them if they had to have tubes. i think that is the sole reason for the porsche rating of NO, it is to do with being a tubeless tyre version.

the XZX are also all tubeless.

Good call on tube vs tubeless. I checked again and the XVS is tube type so, that means the vred is my only option if I want to get the speedometer accurate.

the XVS they sell here is tubeless. (pretty sure about that but could be wrong).
you might want to check - it should not have a tube. the XVS is even fancier than the XAS. rated to higher speeds and harder cornering. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) anyhow, the vreds at 185 wide will be pretty good. nothing wrong with them.

all the XAS are tube tyres apart from the XAS NO. NO being that smart porsche approved number. i think the pirellis also carry that NO designation.