New Boots?

[Matt7c]

My 1964 bolt-on steel wheels with their umpteen coats of flaking Hammerite look a little dodgy. And its a shame that the "Goodyear Grand Prix S" tyres have only done a few hundred miles, but I can't trust a tyre of that age that has stood still, deflated, for 13 years! I'd feel safer with new wheels and boots, but what to buy? I like the look of the Minilite alloy wheels, though I'm not sure they ever went on the S2? Other than cost, are there any particular reasons to choose one wheel type over another?

If the choice were yours, what wheels would you put on? And where would you get them from?

(I can catch the debate about tyres from earlier threads)

[steveww]

The usual suspects (PM, CN, MM etc.) supply new steel wheels. I have fitted minilites to my S4 but there might be clearance issues with your S2 as the minilites are 5x13 instead of the usual 4.5x13 although I have been told that they will fit an S2. If going for minilites you really need to have a trial fit as the wheels are available with 2 different backspace measurements and as no 2 Lotus cars were ever built the same there is no way of knowing which will fit your car

As for tyres the Uniroyal Rallye 680 is very good.

[flyinggellyfish]

Just as well the Grand Prix S tyres are being binned by you , as they were never a good tyre anyway , in my opinion . I had a set on my Dolomite Sprint and they made the car undrivable . Get a nice set of Dunlops on your new rims and you will be in good order then.

Rick

[Matt7c]

Thanks for the replies guys. Does anyone know whether the Ford stud pattern is the same as that on the Elan?
Matt

[Emma-Knight]

:blink: I had CN minilites bought with my S2 - and they don't
fit (about .50 too wide, so the rear arches scratched the "Dunlop"
off the tires...)

[Matt7c]

Good tip Emma, were the minilites the 13x6 or 13x5?

[twincamman]

wellll as knock off wheels were an added cost option---RAC amendment of recognition form FIA recognition form 127 number 3 -----states the 4 bolt mini lights are fine-----I have this discussion with many 'experts ' on my 1964 s 2 26 R ---so go ahead and put them on they look super and are period correct --if you are that way inclined--- I use hankook 205 60r 13s rear and 185 60r 13 fronts ed law

[Emma-Knight]

I'll find out by end of this week when I pick up the car.
(didn't feel safe to go that far, neither for me nor the
wheel arches)

Emma

[Hamish Coutts]

Emma,

My view is that if something in a period correct accessory, then it can be fitted. I have a new Moto Lita steering wheel on my +2 and Lumenition.

Minlights are a peridod correct accesory as are superlight wheels. Spyder also sell a version of the minilight which is 14ins in diameter. All these are bolt on so the studs should fit.
As for clearance, there was a series of articles in the Club Lotus mag recently about the trials and tribulations of fitting minilights to an elan. You might find these useful.

The standard tyre size, I think, was 165/80. My +2 had 165/60s fitted when I bought it and it looked ridiculous. Much better on 165/80 Goodyears.

[Emma-Knight]

:rolleyes: Emma is a bit late...
I like the minilite/minator 13/5 in (that's what they are) very much, they look fine.
But they are VERY tight. As they only rub on the left and have about 12mm
space on the right it could be possible to realign the body to the chassis.
They WON'T go in as they are just about 1mm away from the wishbone
and bolts - uhhh!