[NAC] wide wheels with rather narrow tires

[BenediktRochow at oaktech.com]

>> This is the certainly desired bumper fitted to a B4
>> http://home.germany.net/100-504219/treffen/celle/07.jpg (it looks too
big
>> with with rather small looking wheels I might add).

>This is the same as the coupe/cab bumper, with a deeper front spoiler. The
>"toilet-roll" wheels are THE trend in Germany on VW's, 8x14 or 9x14 wheels
on
>Golf 2's are not uncommon.

What I've been wondering for years - what is the reason for wheels
as shown/described above, with low-profile tires where (as somewhat visible
in the above photo) the sidewall angles inward drastically, as the tread
is apparently a lot narrower than the wheel.
I saw that occasionally in Germany in the late 80s, and now on a lot
of 'tuned' cars in Europe, and very rarely also in the US.
Is there a point? Is this setup not a problem, e.g. when going
around a curve faster than walking speed?

Another illustration, particularly visible at top
edge of rear tire:
http://www.motorscene.de/Opelgalerie/Stefan_s_Astra_/UntouchableAstra03.JPG

??

-gbr