Hester

Don-

What a great story! You should bring Hester down to a PCA-SDR event soon. I know there are a lot of local members who would love to see the car. There's an autocross on Dec. 15th at Qualcomm, if you can make it.

See http://www.pcasdr.org/ for their schedule of events.

TT

I put the December 15 autocross at Qualcomm on my calender.

I've figured out why guys like taking their classic cars to car shows. We just want to have people around that can appreciate the things about our cars that make them special. In the general population, nobody notices things like the seats or the wheels, but, to the trained eyes, those things are very significant.

The original owner told me yesterday that Dick Barbour put "7x15 Porsche Fuchs rims (very expensive racing rims from 906)" on Hester when he took delivery in the late spring of 1970. During our telephone conversation, he told me that he saw the trend for bigger tires coming and he wanted wheels that would accommodate them.

Hester has 185/70 HR15 tires right now. I was wondering what might be the optimal tire size for those wheels. I did some research last night and I still can't tell. Does anybody have any thoughts on that subject?

See I knew it....these cars do have a Souls and are always loved by their former owners...
What a great thread this is!

From the pics, it looks like Hester could stand to be lowered a little, and an alignment would also be a good idea. Even if the tracking is fine, things will be even better with a proper alignment.

Your limiting factor with tire width will be the rear fenders and front turning clearance. So best to set a good ride height / alignment before messing with wider tires.

Those are 7R wheels... very nice! The 7R rims would fit a 225 tire although your wheel lips will most likely not allow it without stiffer torsion bars and tweaked camber. I personally think that's too much rubber visually for a non-flared/non-track car anyway, and won't really help the handling dynamics of a stock car.

The widest you'll want to go is 215 (215/60/15 or 215/55/15). I run 215/60s on my rear 7R spec wheels, and 195/65s on the front 6s. It's a nice combo, but I've driven cars with 185s that handle brilliantly. For such an original car, I would consider popping for a set of Michelin XWXs - an OEM tire back in the day and reproduced by Coker. A search here will bring up lots of info.
There's something about a 185 tire sidewall shape (narrow), when mounted to a wider wheel that brings on a cool period racing look.

Wow, this story gets better and better.

I was reading this story on Pelican but their server is so slow that I was waiting a minute or so for each page. Never saw the end. I just wanted to say congrats and I hope to see this car in person. Please come to the Costa Mesa event next Feb. I'm user they will reserve a front row spot for you. :)

I was a previous owner of a 2.2 S and I can feel your enthusiasm, literally.

Fantastic story Hester, what a special car!

It looks like you have Carello PA160 driving lights mounted, not common at all in the Porsche community and very cool to know the details of the installation. I have a small stash of Carellos and may just have the lens you need. PM or e-mail me the part number cast on the lens and I'll check.

Welcome to the Registry!

A great story! In my view, to have a car with a great story like that - and one with period modifications done back in the day - is truly amazing. Most of us try and emulate a car modified back in the day, but yours was essentially "as delivered" that way. We're faking it, you have the real thing.

You laugh about the keeping the original fire extinguisher, but I agree with Grady. To illustrate this, I bought a period-correct brass fire extinguisher for my antique wooden runabout that still had its inspection tag (last checked in 1961). It's the details that matter (and I don't show my boat). I'd keep the old extinguisher where it is and hide a new one behind the seat.

In terms of deciding the right tire size, IMHO, a car as original and period like that should stay as it has always been, yet with a new caretaker. Perhaps ask the original owner what he ran on the 7 x 15s? I echo the comment about Michelin XWXs from Coker tire - they were THE tire back in the day, look great, and handle surprisingly well.

My 1.5 cents. Again, a fabulous car - please keep the updates coming.

Cheers,

John

All those miles and thats original paint ? Hard to believe not a rock chip to be seen. coco mats don't appear to be period original do you know when they were added and from what vendor ?

Not to be thick but the 7x15" wheels mentioned would be what offset? At first I was thinking that they were 7R's but there was mention of using spacers which would not be needed if that were the case (or would that depend on tire size too?).

FWIW I am agreeing with Jared; I would go over the suspension/ride height. It sounds like when this car was first "built-up" it was lowered based on the previous owner’s recollections. I would set it back up around euro spec ride height.

I will have fun in disagreeing with Jared about the tires :D ; This car is sport purpose and should have proper "sporty" tires (although maybe not period IMO). Currently, I have some Yokohama 205/60-15's and I really enjoy them. The price is also great (about $70 a tire vs. XWX$$$). Tires also wear out and can be easily changed.

This car/story is defiantly a treasure, thank you for sharing.