EMPI GT-5 Wheel Set of 4 — 15x5.5, VW 5x205 | 1949–67 Beetle, Ghia, Type 3 & Thing (00-9686/87/90/91)
Couldn't load pickup availability
EMPI GT-5 Wheel Set of 4 — 15x5.5, VW 5x205 Wide-Five
Short answer: This is a set of four EMPI GT-5 five-spoke cast aluminum wheels, 15x5.5 with the VW 5x205 wide-five bolt pattern, +20mm offset and 4 in backspacing. They fit the 1949–1967 Beetle, 1956–1966 Karmann Ghia, 1961–1965 Type 3 and the VW Thing. EMPI also lists the chrome set for the 1950–1970 Bus, which needs M14x1.5 lug bolts (not our M12 kit) and has no published load rating. Choose chrome, polished, gloss black/polished lip or silver/polished lip. Lug bolts are not included unless you add them in the Mounting Hardware option.
Part numbers: EMPI 00-9686-0 / 0096860 (chrome) · 00-9687-0 / 0096870 (polished) · 00-9690-0 / 0096900 (gloss black, polished lip) · 00-9691-0 / 0096910 (silver, polished lip). Set SKUs are SET4-[part number].
Choose your set
| Set option | Wheels in the set | Size / offset | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome — $1,467.95 | 4 × 00-9686-0 | 15x5.5, ET+20 | Chrome |
| Polished — $1,076.95 | 4 × 00-9687-0 | 15x5.5, ET+20 | Polished |
| Gloss Black/Polished Lip — $737.95 | 4 × 00-9690-0 | 15x5.5, ET+20 | Gloss black, polished lip |
| Silver/Polished Lip — $734.95 | 4 × 00-9691-0 | 15x5.5, ET+20 | Silver, polished lip |
The GT-5 is the classic five-spoke mag look on early wide-five VWs. Buying all four together costs 10% less than EMPI list for four singles, and freight is built into the price, so the set ships free.
Vehicle fitment
| Years | Vehicle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1949–1967 | VW Beetle (5-lug) | 5x205 drums |
| 1956–1966 | VW Karmann Ghia | 5-lug cars |
| 1961–1965 | VW Type 3 | 5-lug cars |
| 1950–1967 | VW Split Window Bus | Chrome set (00-9686-0) only, per EMPI. Requires M14x1.5 Bus lug bolts with a 60° seat; our M12 kit does not fit a Bus. No load rating published. Check rear axle-nut clearance (see Install notes) |
| 1968–1970 | VW Bay Window Bus, drum front brakes | Chrome set only. Before chassis 211 2000 001 (08/1970). Requires M14x1.5 Bus lug bolts; no load rating published. |
| 1969–1979 | VW Thing (181), EMPI fitment; US cars 1973–1974 | 5x205 |
| 5-lug pans | VW-based buggies | 5x205 drums |
| Does not fit | Polished, gloss black and silver GT-5 sets on a 1950–1970 Bus | Not listed by EMPI for the Bus. The Bus uses M14x1.5 bolts and needs load-rated wheels — ask us |
| Does not fit | 1968+ Beetle, 1967+ Ghia, 1966+ Type 3 | 4x130 pattern |
| Does not fit | 1971–1979 Bay Window Bus (disc front) | 5x112 pattern |
| Does not fit | Porsche 356 | Not listed by EMPI for the GT-5 |
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Size | 15 x 5.5 in, all four wheels (square set) |
| Bolt pattern | 5x205mm (VW wide-five) |
| Offset / backspacing | ET +20mm / 4 in backspacing |
| Center bore | Not published by EMPI. Measure your drum, or ask us |
| Lug seat and thread | 60° conical seat; M12x1.5 lug bolts on Beetle, Ghia, Type 3 and Thing; the Bus uses M14x1.5 |
| Optional | 20 × M12x1.5 60° chrome lug bolts (KIT20-00-9711-0), + $89.95 in the Mounting Hardware option (not for Bus) |
| Weight | EMPI lists 15 lb per wheel (chrome: 16 lb). Set ships at about 67–70 lb |
| Construction | Cast aluminum |
| Finishes | Chrome, polished, gloss black/polished lip, silver/polished lip |
| Recommended tire | Common 15x5.5 choices are 165R15 (or 165/80R15) up front and 165R15 or 185/65R15 at the rear; confirm with your tire shop. For a Bus, use a load-range-appropriate tire. |
| Quantity | 4 wheels per set |
What's included / not included
- Included: four EMPI GT-5 15x5.5 5x205 wheels in the finish you choose, plus 20 matching lug bolts if you choose them in the Mounting Hardware option.
- Center caps and valve stems: our chrome GT-5 singles ship with a chrome EMPI center cap and a valve stem. We are confirming the same contents for the polished and painted finishes.
- Not included: tires, mounting and balancing.
Add mounting hardware
On a Beetle, Ghia, Type 3 or Thing the GT-5 needs 20 lug bolts, M12x1.5 thread, 60° conical seat. Do not reuse ball-seat bolts from stock steel wheels. Pick the bolts in the Mounting Hardware option above and they ship with your wheels:
| Mounting Hardware option | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| No Hardware | Wheels only, for when you already have the correct 60° M12x1.5 bolts | + $0 |
| 60° Chrome Lug Bolts, Set of 20 (KIT20-00-9711-0) | 20 EMPI chrome M12x1.5 60° conical-seat lug bolts (4 × EMPI 00-9711-0), enough for all four wheels. See the kit | + $89.95 |
For theft protection, swap one bolt per wheel for EMPI 70-2706-0 12mm 60° wheel locks (set of 4 with key). EMPI lists the M12 kit for Beetle, Ghia, Type 3, Thing and buggy hubs. The M12 kit does not fit a Bus: the Split and 1968–1970 Bay Bus use M14x1.5 lug bolts. Bus owners ordering the chrome set should ask us for the correct M14x1.5 60° bolt before ordering.
Why it matters
Stock wide-five steel wheels use ball-seat bolts. The GT-5 uses 60° cones. Mixing the two is the most common way an alloy wheel works loose. EMPI's +20mm offset on a 5.5 in rim pushes the face out slightly from stock for a fuller stance.
Install notes
- Test-fit before the tires are mounted. On some drums, spacers may be needed to clear the drum snout or center.
- On 1950–1970 Buses, check that the center cap clears the rear axle nut. Some owners need a taller cap.
- Tighten in a star pattern to your vehicle manufacturer's torque spec. Re-check after the first 50 miles.
- Wheels with tires mounted cannot be returned.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will EMPI GT-5 wheels fit a 1968 Beetle? No. 1968 and later Beetles are 4x130. The GT-5 is 5x205 and fits Beetles through 1967.
- Do GT-5 wheels fit a 1970 VW Bus? Only the chrome set (EMPI 00-9686-0) is listed by EMPI for the 1950–1970 Bus, and it needs M14x1.5 Bus lug bolts with a 60° seat — our M12 kit does not fit a Bus. EMPI publishes no load rating. The polished and painted GT-5 sets are not listed for the Bus. 1971–1979 disc-brake Buses are 5x112 and need a different wheel.
- Do these wheels come with lug bolts? Not by default — choose "60° Chrome Lug Bolts, Set of 20 (KIT20-00-9711-0)" in the Mounting Hardware option (+$89.95) and you get all 20 M12x1.5 60° conical-seat bolts (4 × EMPI 00-9711-0) with your wheels. The kit is for Beetle, Ghia, Type 3 and Thing hubs, not the Bus.
- What lug bolts do GT-5 wheels need? Twenty M12x1.5 bolts with a 60° conical seat, such as four packs of EMPI 00-9711-0, on a Beetle, Ghia, Type 3 or Thing. A Bus uses M14x1.5 bolts.
- What is the GT-5 offset? ET +20mm with 4 in backspacing, 15x5.5, on every finish.
- Is the price per wheel or per set? Per set of four matching wheels. It is 10% below EMPI list for four singles, and shipping is free.
Related
All wheels · EMPI GT-5 chrome single · EMPI 60° Lug Bolt Kit, Set of 20 · Air-cooled VW parts
Parts are legal for use on pre-pollution-controlled vehicles only.
Prop 65 Warning
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
