The Porsche 924 is a dainty little thing, especially when you compare it to more modern street hardware. That’s a good reason to be quite conservative when you consider wheels for it, in case one wants to upgrade from the original 14- or 15-inch wheels.
In this case, one of the Porsche’s owners has boldly chosen to go with 17-inch wheels on 225/45 tires, and those do not exactly suit the light-looking, narrow-sided Porsche, even if the spokes are narrow. Maybe these would’ve been a better fit on the more wide-hipped 944 instead. What do you think?
Another thing you can consider is the fitment of the quite large rear wing, and whether it complements or takes away from the 924’s looks. The good thing here is that both modifications are easily undone.
But which wheels do you prefer on the 924, if you prefer the 125-horsepower Porsche as a daily driver?
[Images: Copyright 2015 Hooniverse/Antti Kautonen]
By Antti Kautonen
The resident Finn of Hooniverse. Owns old Peugeots and whatnot, writes long thinkpieces on unloved cars. These two facts might be related.
I don’t think most older cars look good with big stupid modern rims. This 924 isn’t horrible, and perhaps a 944 could carry those off a little better. But I still see this in it…
https://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/stupid-car-rims-19.jpg
Geez, it looks amphibious.
After a quick Google search, I would have to say I like the originals better. IMO original wheels usually look best (there must a reason why the designers picked them). Really, the only time I agree with aftermarket wheels is when there is a serious performance benefit. Same thing applies for me when it comes to ride height. There are exceptions, of course, but that’s the way I like things!
edit: Don’t take this to mean I don’t like customs, I do. I just don’t like lifted/lowered blinged out, useless customs.
Telephone dials and the factory lip spoiler are the way to go. This a 70s car and really calls for a 70s look, plus the telephone dials make a connection to the 928.
http://i.auto-bild.de/ir_img/8/2/2/7/1/6/Porsche-924-S-729×486-c24f21bcbdd88607.jpg
Exactly, of the period correct wheels, phonies suit well. Fuchs are way lighter, but look too baroque. BBS look to busy. The turbo wheels are less busy.
For an 944, 16″ are in order
(available ex works in ’84 in Switzerland in a limited edition, you period-correctness sticklers)
Unfortunately, the hubs on this poor 924 are four lug/bolt, which makes using the OEM 928 phone dials impossible.
Hmmm, you may have a point there….
The 924 S had five lugs, and l think so did the turbos, but the extrapolation is not valid.
The 928 had some huge offset, closer to the late 944s. I don’t know where the 23mm offset phonies were used first. Probably on a. 911 special edition.
Strosek had their own take on phonies, I don’t think they made these for 924 or 944 but 928 version seems quite OK, in nineties yuppie style.
http://fredopertracing.com/1_20_00/strosek/928_strosek_2.jpg
Lambo style!
http://www.20min.ch/diashow/96254/96254-6evk3e6U4_AO5jjlM4D_Hw.jpg
I used to run 928 16×8″ phonedials on my 944S. Fat tires for the track. Fronts snagged the fender once so I had to flare it a bit.
Too bad the 924 got such a bad rap with the purists, to my eyes that is a pretty nice looking vehicle and it is a shame so few are left.
Lower the car, make the wheels 2″ smaller in diameter and 1″ wider with some lip and maybe 10mm less offset, get tires that are slightly wider than the wheels, and we’ll talk.
I thought the Enkei (92s?) on my old rotary 924 looked fine.
Rotary 924?
http://jalopnik.com/1978-rx924-my-924-with-a-87-13b-swap-done-in-the-late-1490868017
Wow, that’s fantastic! Do you use it regularly? How is the fuel consumption and general maintenance need of the engine? Did the swappers manage a low center of gravity?
It was my DD from 1979 until 1983 and accrued ~60k miles during that time. Due to Cali smog regs and the cars non-compliance, it was retired and sold to become another project. Mileage sucked ~17mpg. The engine was reliable but with the Dellorto carb, porting and headers, the power curve was flat until ~4k rpm and then would scream to over 11k. At high speed (>120mph) there were oil temp issues that I never could resolve. I did the swap myself and the cg was lower with a slight rearward weight shift. Handling was superb except in parking structures, as the engine and drivetrain configuration required moving the steering rack forward, resulting in anti-Ackerman geometry – the tires would squeal terribly. A Jag XJS with a TPI 350/350 HO crate motor legal swap replaced the rx924.
Eclectic automotive history!
I started wading through that thread, and found a post by Antti, his avatar showing him wearing what looks like a yachtsman’s hat:
http://jalopnik.com/where-are-the-rear-tires-it-almost-looks-like-its-a-th-1490798141
Looking jaunty there, Antti!
I also use that on my Linkedin profile just to throw people off. 🙂
Just don’t use it on Tinder. Who knows where you’d end up.
With this lady?
http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120511023118/disney/images/b/b2/UrsulaKH3D.png
Lol nope, not touching that app with a 924 feet pole.
Those look just like early C4 Corvette stock wheels, but with 4 lugs.
That’s what my wife thought also….