Porsche 356 Tyres
Video - Porsche 356 Tyres Explained
Picture - Porsche 356 C Coupe on Crossply Tyres (From the 1965 film 'Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!'
Porsche 356 1948–1965
- The Pre A 356 Porsche from 1948 to 1955 fitted 16” wheels and 500 - 16 or 525 - 16 tyres. We recommend the 500/525-16 PIRELLI STELLA BIANCA covering both sizes, fitted with a set of Michelin 16E innertubes.
- The Porsche 356 A moved to 15” wheels and 560 - 15 crossply tyres. There is not currently a crossply tyre we would recommend for a 356A.
- We suggest the 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 as the best period tyre available for a 356A and a Porsche 356B.
- The Porsche 356 C and 356 SC of 1964 fitted either a German-made 165 R15 Dunlop which is no longer made, or the 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- The 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 of 1952, is the only genuine period tyre still in production that would have also been in production when the 356 was being manufactured and was an option on early 911.
- The 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 was still an option on early Porsche 911, though at the time it was called “Cintura”.
Porsche 356 on 165 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N Tyres
- The 165-15 Michelin XAS is a 1965 Asymmetric tyre, and was an option on early 911.
- The 165 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N is a later, 1968 V-rated tyre that now has the N marking it was tested and homologated by Porsche.
- Some people like to fit wider tyres to their 356. In this case, the 185/70 WR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 is the best.
- Wider tyres impair the handling of early cars like the 356, Longstone does not recommend wider tyres.
- However, if somebody insists on wider tyres the PIRELLI CINTURATO ™ CN36 is best because it is a carcass designed to fit earlier Porsche suspension.
- Porsche 356A and Porsche 356B innertubes - we suggest the Michelin 15E for 560 - 15, 165 R15 or 185/70 R15 tyres.
- The 356 was introduced at a time when tubeless technology was in its infancy. 356 vehicles were manufactured with tube-style wheels that required innertubes. Fitting tubeless radial tyres to these wheels still require you to fit tubes in order for the wheel to function.
- Porsche 356 tyre pressures - 23psi front and 26psi rear.
Click the link to find out more about Porsche 356 Original Tyres.
Porsche 356 Recommended Tyres
Other Options for Porsche 356 Tyres
1948 Porsche 356 Pre-A German Brochure Specifications
Porsche 356 Original Tyres
- The initial Porsche 356 models from 1948, now referred to as the Pre-A 356, were equipped with 500 - 16 or 525 - 16 crossply tyres. The PIRELLI STELLA BIANCA was made in the 500/525-16 size to accommodate both OE sizes, which were both popular sizes at the time.
- The Porsche 356A transitioned to 15-inch wheels, predominantly fitted with 560 - 15 crossply tyres from brands like Firestone, Metzeler, Continental, or Dunlop GT.
- Additionally, the 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 became an available option starting in 1952.
- In 1956, the Porsche 356 A Carrera came standard with 590 - 15 Continental Record crossply tyres.
- The Porsche 356 B Super 90 experimented with German-made Dunlop Sports 165 R15 radial tyres.
1948 Porsche 356 Pre-A German Brochure Cover
Porsche 356 History
The official date of birth for Porsche is believed to be June 8th 1948. The first car was a 356/2, 1.1-litre car producing a respectable 40bhp and weighing in at around 650kg. The first 50 of the hand-built cars that were produced resembled the classic 356 Porsche that would be later produced, and if any of those first 50 356/2 Porsche were to be found they would be almost priceless.
In late 1949 the Rutter company in Germany were given the assignment to build the first 500 of what would become the classic 356 Porsche that we all know and love. The car was built with a 1.1-litre engine producing 40bhp and because the 356 had such good aerodynamics it was capable of reaching an impressive 140kph. Mr Ferry Porsche at the time of production thought it impossible that the company would sell any more than 500 of the 356 Porsche. This was to be a welcome misjudgement. On the 15th of March 1954 car, no 5,000 left the factory.
It was not until 1953 that the famous Porsche badge was seen. By 1965 the last of the 356 Porsches left the factory after a successful 17 years in production. In total, around 76,000 356 Porsches were built with some 1,194 of those cars in Carrera spec.
Classic Porsche Tyres
In the world of modern tyres it is commonplace to come across a tyre test. Sadly in the world of classic tyres, the investment never seems to be there to do a proper modern tyre test. However, a German magazine in July 2016 conducted this modern tyre test on classic Porsche tyres. This classic Porsche tyre test has been translated from German to English. What is remarkable in this tyre test is quite how well the PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; CN36 classic Porsche tyres performed in the table at the end. The scores in this table are not scored in relation to the other tyres in the test, so when a score of 1 is recorded, then that is a perfect score for a classic tyre or a modern tyre. It is wonderful to see that these classic Porsche tyres can give such exemplary results.
The simple time-honoured shape of a Porsche 911 has been something that has inspired classic car enthusiasts for years. The refined elegant pure shape is unmistakable. Now Longstone tyres, with the support from the world's best tyre manufacturers are able to supply tyres for classic 911's.
Classic Porsche Tyres
Below you will find a classic Porsche fitment guide and an independent article written about the tyre choices for your classic Porsche.
Porsche 356 on 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 Tyres
Porsche Pre A 356 Tyres
- Pre A 356 1100 = 500-16 crossply – 500/525-16 PIRELLI STELLA BIANCA.
- Pre A 356 1300 = 500-16 crossply – 500/525-16 PIRELLI STELLA BIANCA.
- Pre A 356 1300 Super = 500-16 crossply – 500/525-16 PIRELLI STELLA BIANCA.
- Pre A 356 1500 = 500-16 crossply – 500/525-16 PIRELLI STELLA BIANCA.
- Pre A 356 1500 Super = 500-16 crossply – 500/525-16 PIRELLI STELLA BIANCA.
- Pre A 356 1500 Speedster = 500-16 crossply – 500/525-16 PIRELLI STELLA BIANCA.
- Pre A 356 1500 Super Speedster = 500-16 crossply – 500/525-16 PIRELLI STELLA BIANCA.
Porsche 356 Speedster
Porsche 356 A Tyres
- (1956-’57) 356 A 1300 = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1956-’57) 356 A 1300 Super = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1956-’59) 356 A 1600 = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1956-’58) 356 A 1600 Speedster = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1956-’59) 356 A 1600 = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1956-’59) 356 A 1600 Super = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1956-’58) 356 A 1600 Super Speedster = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1958-’59) 356 A 1600 Hardtop = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1958-’59) 356 A 1600 Super Hardtop = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1959) 356 A 1600 Convertible D = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1959) 356 A 1600 Super Convertible D = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
Porsche 356 B Coupe
Porsche 356 B Tyres
- (1960-’63) 356 B 1600 = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1960-’62) 356 B 1600 Roadster = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1960-’63) 356 B 1600 Super = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1960-’63) 356 B 1600 Super Roadster = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1960-’63) 356 B 1600 Super 90 = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1960-’62) 356 B 1600 Super 90 Roadster = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
Porsche 356 C
Porsche 356 C Tyres
- (1964-’65) 356 C 1600 = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1964-’65) 356 C 1600 SC = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1964-’65) 356 C 1600 SC = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- (1964-’65) 356 C 2000 Carrera 2 = 560-15 crossply – 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
Porsche 356 Borrani Wire Wheels
Borrani wheels are available for your Porsche 356. As agents for the iconic Ruote Borrani Milano company we are able to supply all wheels from their extensive range.
Wire wheels made by Ruote Borrani Milano are, without doubt, the best wire wheels available. Borrani wheels utilise aluminium rims, steel spokes and steel wheel centres.
If your Borrani wheels require rebuilding then please contact us at [email protected]
Click the link for Porsche 356 Borrani wheels.
Wheels made by Borrani are available in the following styles:
- Painted silver finish, as per the racing wheels of the period
- Polished and chrome finish, highly polished rim, chrome spokes & wheel centre
- Painted finish with polished outer edge