4.5" vs 5.5"

chirlas · Nov 14th, 2023, 18:02

I think the official story says original wheels for a '66 1800s were 4.5". Other sources mention 5.5" as period sport options. So, what would you choose for an as close as original but not talibanesque restoration?

Aesthetically I do not love the original 4.5"-165/80 combo, but a 5.5"-185/xx seems too 21st century to me. What about a 4.5"-185/70? It does a very similar wheel diameter.

Will anybody share a picture of 4.5" wheels with tyres other than 165/80?

HWKWallis · Nov 15th, 2023, 08:34

These 185/65 on 4.5 (wagon)......

chirlas · Nov 15th, 2023, 09:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by HWKWallis

These 185/65 on 4.5 (wagon)......

Thanks a lot!
Do anybody know the ET/Offset of each measures?

Rustinmotion · Nov 16th, 2023, 23:07

These are 6 x 15 et 23

Rustinmotion · Nov 16th, 2023, 23:13

195/65 tyre
Compared to the original 4.5

northNH · Nov 17th, 2023, 01:45

185/70 x 15 on 5.5” Italian Minilight-style…

142 Guy · Nov 17th, 2023, 15:51

Just some observations

- 185/70 15 is a size with exceedingly limited availability. You have Vredestein (expensive) and Pirelli (very expensive) and there used to be some off-brand Chinese tires which now seem hard to find. You might want to consider a tire that is more common with a more reasonable price
- 5.5" rim width is the recommended size for the 185 cross section with 4.5" being the absolute recommended minimum. The shape of a 185 on a 4.5" rim will change from the optimum with a higher profile and scrunched tread width.

"but a 5.5"-185/xx seems too 21st century to me"

I think you got lost in a time warp! 5.5" - 185/70 is pretty solidly in the mid 1970s. Since the turn of the century Honda Civics and most other compact cars have been running 195 - 205 tire widths. In the 1990s 185/65 was very common and was still in use on a lot of the base model versions of cars like the Civic after the turn of the century. 185/65r15 tires have a relatively wide selection; but, you will have to deal with the reduced diameter.

Othen · Nov 26th, 2023, 07:45

Here are some 175/60 section tyres fitted to the later type 4.5" wheels:

... they are M&S tyres that I use in the winter, they also make the speedometer read spot on with a Type D overdrive and the original 4.1:1 back axle. I think they look pretty sporty on the Amazon:

... they work really well, the steering seems a little lighter than with 185/80 tyres in the standard wheels (that I use in the summer):

Nov 14th, 2023, 18:02	#1
chirlas Carlos Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 20:52 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Torrelodones	4.5" vs 5.5" I think the official story says original wheels for a '66 1800s were 4.5". Other sources mention 5.5" as period sport options. So, what would you choose for an as close as original but not talibanesque restoration? Aesthetically I do not love the original 4.5"-165/80 combo, but a 5.5"-185/xx seems too 21st century to me. What about a 4.5"-185/70? It does a very similar wheel diameter. Will anybody share a picture of 4.5" wheels with tyres other than 165/80? __________________

Nov 26th, 2023, 07:45	#8
Othen Premier Member Last Online: Today 23:30 Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Corby del Sol	Here are some 175/60 section tyres fitted to the later type 4.5" wheels: ... they are M&S tyres that I use in the winter, they also make the speedometer read spot on with a Type D overdrive and the original 4.1:1 back axle. I think they look pretty sporty on the Amazon: ... they work really well, the steering seems a little lighter than with 185/80 tyres in the standard wheels (that I use in the summer): __________________ ... another lovely day in paradise.

Nov 17th, 2023, 15:51	#7
142 Guy Master Member Last Online: Yesterday 15:46 Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada	Just some observations - 185/70 15 is a size with exceedingly limited availability. You have Vredestein (expensive) and Pirelli (very expensive) and there used to be some off-brand Chinese tires which now seem hard to find. You might want to consider a tire that is more common with a more reasonable price - 5.5" rim width is the recommended size for the 185 cross section with 4.5" being the absolute recommended minimum. The shape of a 185 on a 4.5" rim will change from the optimum with a higher profile and scrunched tread width. "but a 5.5"-185/xx seems too 21st century to me" I think you got lost in a time warp! 5.5" - 185/70 is pretty solidly in the mid 1970s. Since the turn of the century Honda Civics and most other compact cars have been running 195 - 205 tire widths. In the 1990s 185/65 was very common and was still in use on a lot of the base model versions of cars like the Civic after the turn of the century. 185/65r15 tires have a relatively wide selection; but, you will have to deal with the reduced diameter.

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