Elan track width conundrum

[PaulH]

I've been checking the rear tracking of my Elan S2 and have come across a conundrum. The published literature shows that the rear track width of the S2 is wider than the later Elans.

Rear track width Elan S2 = 1230 mm
Rear track width later Elan = 1195 mm

Front track width all Elans = 1196 mm

I've measured the track width of my S2 and sure enough it's wider at the rear. How can this be given that they share components: chassis; rear hubs; rear 'A' frames. I don't understand it Anyone have the answer?

Paul

[Mazzini]

Clutching at straws, but maybe it's something to do with the bolt on hubs or offset of the bolt on wheels or is your car on KO's?

[Frogelan]

Interesting question.

I looked at this via the FIA papers and the figures you have given for the S2 match up with the original homologation, then +1.25" for the 26R magnesium wheels and then - 1.38" for the knock on steel wheels (which were homologated on 1st feb 1965).

The mystery is therefore as to why S3 and S3 changed. Rob (Mazzini) may have a point if the wheel offset was changed or with the change from Issue 16 to 18 ?

I was interested as the subject also leaves the historic entrant with 5.5" Minilites with a conundrum as to the official track width that can be used!

[oldelanman]

My S4 with knock-on wheels has the wider rear track, I suspect the workshop manual is wrong.

Just changing the wheel offset would alter both front and rear track by the same amount unless some other components were changed also.