What is the difference between the phone dials that had a flat face as opposed to the ones without a flat face. I bought a '79 parts car to restore my wrecked 13K mile '78 but the '79 has the Dials with the flat face. Were these wheels available in '78? For originality would it be best not to use the flat Dials off the '79?

 

As factory installed on 928, the flat face were 15", and the more sculpted (nicer looking IMO) were the 16".

They use some phone dials on 944/924, but I think they were all the same look as the 16' 928 rims regardless of size (and different offsets).

 

I believe the 15" rims were only used on Atuo trans cars.

 

Ok that makes sense, the '79 parts car with flat dials is an auto and the '78 with the more sculpted, as you put it, is a manual. You're right about the 944's, my 944S has the same phone dials as the manual 928's, just 15" and not 16". Thanks!

 

I'd have to look it up, but I think the 16" were standard initially, but when complaints about the 928s gas consumption erupted, they started offering the automatic version with the 15-inchers to improve drag and fuel efficience. I believe this change was made for the 1980 model, at the same time with the higher compression engine.

 

the 15 inch rims used tires with taller sidewalls (for the same tire diameter )and gave a "comfort " ride more suited to the automatic . The 215/60/15 was listed as standard equipment the 225/50/16 was listed as optional . Winter wheels were 6x15 to be fitted with 185/70/15 tires .