Steel wheels sizing for tires

[Jimmyhag]

I own a 1969 280 SL Euro model that has bundt wheels. I am currently restoring the car and will be swapping the bundt wheels for steel wheels and hubcaps. I purchased blackwall tires within the past year that are size195-70-R14.  I have an opportunity to purchase 5.5" or 6" steel wheels. Two questions, 1): Which size wheels would be recommended for this tire size? 2:) Did Euro models come with whitewall tires or just blackwall tires?  Any suggestions would be very much appreciated!

[mnahon]

Either of those wheels will fit that tire. But the 6" is what originally came on the 280SLs. You can find more info here:
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/WheelsTires/Rims

The consensus seems to be that blackwalls were standard in Europe and whitewalls were more common in North America. More info here:
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/WheelsTires/Tires

Not sure if you're aware, but there are some pressed aluminum rims that look like steel wheels and will take the standard hubcaps. These rims way about half the steel wheels. See
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/WheelsTires/Alloys