Early 911

Updated 02/08/2021

The Early 911 forum DDK (or “Die Deutschen Klassiker”) is a leading source of everything early Porsche, especially early 911. So it is no surprise that the subject of what are the best Porsche 911 tyres frequently crops up. I was very pleased to stumble across the following comment which I hope you will find useful and informative.

Early 911 Tyres

I am in shock!

When getting an MOT on my 2.4E the tester said my front tyres are borderline advisory so with the trip to CLM coming up I decided to invest in a set of CN36's,fitted these yesterday and decided to take the car out for a 'quick' spin.

suffice to say I cannot believe the difference a tyre could make to the handling of my car, truly staggering!!!

To be fair to the comparison my old XWX's were well worn at the front on the outer edges and had done nearly 18,000 miles, they were also dated 2011 and fitted a couple of years before the car went on the road.

Heading out on some dual carriageway to get the tyres warm my initial impression was the steering felt a fair bit lighter and noticeably so around a few roundabouts as I headed for a stretch of road leading from Latton to Kempsford, a twisty B-road with some great bends but with a terrible bouncy surface in places. Previously I felt I was fighting the car in tight turns with the old XWX's but now it's far smoother. Taking it steady to start the car felt great on the road, so good in fact I turned around and drove the road again pushing a bit harder. By the third run I was really pushing and was amazed at how much of a difference the tyres could make soaking up the poor surface and revelling at being pushed hard into the turns as I took the long way around the bends to accentuate the curves. My fourth run up the road was bonkers, the steering wheel felt like silk in my hands and I was laughing as I drove, the tyres taking way more than I thought I could throw at them giving a satisfying squeal as I went from bend to bend.

Only a planned night out dragged me home, my wife thinking I'm nuts waxing lyrical about a set of tyres! It was more than tyres to me, it felt like having a new toy!

The XWX is a great tyre but from my initial impression I think the CN36 is a whole different level if you enjoy driving enthusiastically, highly recommended!

Early 911 Low Profile Tyres

We are really pleased that Pirelli are also making a range of the classic Pirelli Cinturato P7 super low profile tyres for Early Porsche 911. The P7 came out in 1974 and was immediately jumped on by Porsche to take advantage of the vast amount of extra grip these crazy wide tyres offer. The ink was barely dry on the paper work for the P7 when in 1975 Porsche fitted 7” Fuch rims with 205/50 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 on the front and 8” Fuch rims on the rear with 225/50 VR 15 Pirelli P7 of the early Porsche 930 – 911 Turbo and the 911 Carerra.

This was soon followed by the 285/40 VR 15 Cinturato P7 for 9.5” to 11” rims. If you have truly crazy wide 11” to 13” wide wheels Pirelli also make the 345/35R15 Pirelli P7! It doesn’t get much wider than that.

Then in 1984 the move to 16” rims initially was an option with 205/55R16 Pirelli P7 on the front and either 225/50R16 P7 or 245/45R16 P7.

Early 911 Rally Tyres

If you are wanting to go Rallying with an early 911 we are somewhat spoiled in that these cars are supported by 2 of the worlds best tyre manufactures from the Pirelli Collezione range where Pirelli make the P7 Corsa Classic in 15” and 16” for early 911. The Michelin Collection range also makes the Michelin TB range of fully treaded intermediate and semi-slick road legal, genuine period classic rally tyres. Both excellent tyres for classic Porsche 911 and 914 for that matter.