Something else to think about, Wheels and tires.

[jlaird]

Yep there has been some discussion about wheels and tires for our vehicles but........

Early model rim 1958 thru ? are 3" width?

Later model rim ? thru ? are 4 or 4 1/2" width?

Yep I understand that the later model is redesigned, welded not rivited and different vent hole and brake adjusting hole pattern?

This is a three parter.

What size tire goes on these rims, not the orginial of course but a modern replacement for driveing? What fits without rubbing? Advantages and disadvantages? What are you useing on yours?

 

[Bugeye58]

Jack, the early rims were 3 1/2" wide. I still have to measure one of the later rims. I have run up to 175/70 tires on the later steel wheels, and had a bit of rub in the rear with a square wheel arch car.
I'm currently running 175/70's on both a round arch and a square arch car, on 5" wide Minataur Minilite replica wheels.
The Bugeye is more forgiving of the wider tires, for the obvious reason of having the round wheel arch in the back. I wouldn't want to go much wider than the 175's, as you may start having some rubbing on the spring. Although, back in the '70's, I was running A-60's on a Bugeye, and don't recall any problems.
I was comfortable running 155/80s on the original rims, until replacement time came, and I upgraded to the wider wheels.
Jeff