Porsche 911 Tire Pressures

• The ideal tire pressures for a classic Porsche 911 range from 26-44 PSI.
• To find the ideal tire pressures to match your car's year, model, and chosen tires follow the link to our Tire Pressure Guides.

• Our recommended early Porsche 911 tire is the 165 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO™ CN36 for the first cars.
• In 1968 moving to 185/70VR15 CINTURATO CN36, then the 215/60VR15 CN36 on the rear from 1973.
• In 1974 Pirelli developed the PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 which Porsche first fitted to its 911 Turbo 3.0 in 1975.
• Porsche continued with the P7 for some time moving onto 16” wheels as an option from 1985.
• The standard 911SC moved to fitting 195/65R15 front tires in August 1986.
• For a detailed tire fitment of later Porsche 911 models follow the link to our Porsche 911 Tire Section.

Porsche 911 Tires

Porsche's early 911 models were originally equipped with 165 R15 tires. For this size, we highly recommend the 165 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO™ CN36, which aligns with Porsche's own recommendation. Alternatively, the 165-15 Michelin XAS presents another excellent choice for enhanced performance in the early 911. If you're seeking a tread pattern predating 1968, the 165 HR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO™ CA67 is also available.

Between 1968 and 1973, Porsche adopted 185/70 R15 tires for both front and rear use, initially with the PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36. Optimal choices within this size include the 185/70 WR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO™ CN36 and the 185/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX, both renowned for their top-tier performance characteristics.

Porsche 911 Carrera Tires

In the later 911 SC models, commencing in 1986, a shift to 195/65 R15 tires in the front took place alongside other chassis adjustments. It's important to note that using a 195/65R15 front tire on pre-SC Porsche 911s is ill-suited. Ensuring your tires correspond to the era of your vehicle is crucial, as adopting later Porsche tires on an earlier model can adversely impact performance and handling.

For road-oriented versions like the 911L or 911T, which prioritized a smoother on-road experience over track performance, the preference often leaned towards 14" wheels paired with 185 R14 tires. This configuration provided a beefier sidewall, translating to enhanced comfort while driving. To suit this setup, we recommend opting for the 185 HR 14 Michelin MXV-P tires.

PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 Porsche 911 Tires

The surge in power and velocity witnessed among supercars of the 1970s necessitated the emergence of an entirely new generation of tires – broader and with lower profiles. Pirelli introduced the CINTURATO ™ P7, initially developed in 1974 as a rally tire for the Lancia Stratos then later adapted for road use.

The P7 achieved a reduction in profiles while significantly increasing width, facilitated by pioneering manufacturing techniques of its time. Transitioning to the road, the P7™ made its debut on the Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo in 1975.

The original Porsche 930 3.0 Carrera and 930 3.0 Turbo models were originally equipped with 225/50 YR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO™ P7 and 205/50 YR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO™ P7 tires. Certain 911s featured 11" wide wheels matched with 285/40 YR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO™ P7 tires at the rear.

Porsche 911 16" Classic Tires

Starting from 1984 with the 3.2 911 Carrera, Porsche introduced the availability of 16" wheel options options with 205/55R16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 on the front and 225/50R16 P7 on the rear. These 16” Porsche 911 tires became more generic fitment when they were offered as a tire and wheel option on the 911SC in 1985. Also in 1985 The Porsche 911 Carrera Supersport 3.2 had a wider rear tire and fitted the 245/45R16 Pirelli P7, as did the Porsche 930, or as us school boys called it, the 911 Turbo.

Currently, Michelin offers both the 205/55 ZR 16 Michelin SX MXX3 and the 245/45 ZR 16 Michelin SX MXX3 tire models. Similarly, Pirelli continues to produce the P7 as a 205/55ZR16 tire, a 225/50ZR16 tire, and 245/45ZR16 tire.

Porsche 911 Innertubes

The original 911 wheels necessitate the use of innertubes, due to the tube-type wheels and tires used in the early 911 models. Our suggestion is to fit the Michelin 15E innertube for both 165VR15 and 185/70VR15 tires. It's crucial to emphasize that you should not install innertubes in a 195/65R15 tire or any tire with a profile less than 70%. By the time these low-profile tires came into use, wheel technology had evolved, rendering innertubes obsolete.

Contrary to common misconception, the original Porsche 911 Carrera vehicles were originally equipped with innertubes. This was the case when they left the factory, featuring the first set of very low profile radial tires (215/60VR15 CN36). However, this doesn't mean it was a good idea. It's crucial to emphasize that Porsche swiftly transitioned to tubeless wheels incorporating a safety hump, along with the adoption of tubeless tires following the introduction of the initial 60% profile tires. Notably, tire manufacturers no longer produce tube-type 60-profile tires. Consequently, tubeless wheels are necessary, and it's strongly advised to run without innertubes when using tires with <70% profile. On the other hand, the earlier Porsche 911 wheels do require the use of innertubes.

Porsche 911 PIRELLI Homologation

A substantial portion of Pirelli's CN36 and P7™ tires proudly carry Porsche's 'N' homologation, standing as a testament to Porsche's meticulous evaluation and endorsement of these tires as the best choice for achieving peak performance from their classic high-performance cars. Crafted in response to Porsche's specific requisites, these Pirelli Collezione CN36 and P7™ tires earned the coveted Porsche N homologation, firmly establishing them as the officially recommended 911 tires endorsed by the brand. The presence of the "N" marking on a tire signifies Porsche's clear indication that it stands as the premier tire choice for their distinguished lineup of historic vehicles.

Racing

Featuring an extensive range of racing tires tailored to diverse applications, the Michelin TB series stands out as an excellent choice for individuals engaging in tarmac rallying, sprinting, or hill climbing activities with 15" wheels on their 911.

Porsche 911 History

The Porsche 911 is a series of high-performance rear-engined sports cars, all of which are two-door 2+2 models. Unveiled by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany, in September 1964, the car introduced a distinctive approach. It featured a rear-mounted flat-six engine and initially adopted a torsion bar suspension setup, adding unique characteristics to its design. While evolving over time, the vehicle has maintained a consistent fundamental concept. Notably, the engines utilized air-cooling until the introduction of the 996 series in 1998.

On September 12, 1963, the Porsche 911 made its debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. Full production of the model commenced in September 1964 at the Zuffenhausen Porsche factory. Interestingly, the car's original designation was the 901, which later became the 911 due to a naming rights dispute with Peugeot. The inaugural Porsche 911 was masterminded by F.A. Porsche and his team, featuring an air-cooled flat-six engine. This model boasted an engine output of 130bhp, accompanied by a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 9.1 seconds, and an impressive top speed of 210km/h.

The Porsche 911 underwent notable changes during its initial two series spanning from 1964 to 1989. The journey commenced with the introduction of the 901 concept car in 1963, setting the stage for an impressive production run that has remained strong throughout six decades. Designed as a more expansive and practical rendition of the 356, the 911 featured additional seats to accommodate varying needs. The early 911 models first fitted two-litre engines, generating 130bhp, with a weight of around one tonne. These advancements reflected the dynamic evolution of the Porsche 911 series.

As time progressed, the engine capacities and power outputs expanded throughout the following decade. The 210bhp 2.7 Carrera RS model emerged as a highly sought-after model among the early 911 models. The introduction of the G-Series (1973-1989) marked a notable shift in both styling and technology, signifying the dawn of a new era of the 911. The G-Series, first released in 1973 and continuing until 1989, was the first series with significant transformations. Among these, the introduction of turbocharging in 1975 brought about the Turbo model, boasting a remarkable 260bhp. Turbochargers were used primarily for the fastest 911 models.

The Porsche 911 was the first production vehicle to integrate a rear spoiler into its design. This innovative feature made its debut on the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 model. Remarkably lightweight at under 1000kg, the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 held a rear spoiler that played a crucial role in generating essential downforce, contributing to the car's stability. The inclusion of this rear wing became iconic and is often hailed as the most recognizable design element of the 911. Porsche's internal affectionately termed it "Entenbürzel" (ducktail), a name that endures to this day.

Porsche's achievements in motorsport have garnered widespread recognition, with the Porsche 911 contributing greatly to this legacy. The emergence of the Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8 marked a significant milestone, as it became the first 911 model to bear the prestigious RSR badge. The Carrera RSR 2.8 was granted homologation for competitive racing, facilitated by the renowned 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS. This race-ready 911 achieved a remarkable victory at the '24 Hours of Daytona' in 1973, solidifying its prowess on the track. In 1973 alone, customer and factory teams secured three international championships and an impressive seven national championships, showcasing the Carrera RSR 2.8's exceptional capabilities, including a notable triumph at the Targa Florio. In addition, the Porsche 911's exceptional racing legacy extended to the rally scene, capturing consecutive victories at the esteemed Monte Carlo Rally from 1968 to 1970.

The design of the Porsche 911 has remained remarkably consistent over a span of more than 60 years. Characterized by its perfect proportions and flowing curves, the 911's design hase stood the test of time. This design continuity sets the 911 apart in automotive history, the foundational layout established by the first Porsche 911 continues to shape the modern models, showcasing the lasting impact of its initial concept. Noteworthy design features such as the distinctive fastback design, distinct side window shape, free-standing front wings, and the signature flat front bonnet remain core components of the 911's identity today.