+2 Wheel/tyre combination

[HCA]

Forgive me, but I do not know all the ins, outs and names of Lotus bits! But this wheel, is it the Panasport type that I have been reading about in past threads?

12070847.jpg (34.85 KiB) Viewed 2038 times

Previous threads conclude that it is, within reason, the lightest wheel for the +2, and as it is the wheel that comes with my car, I am happy to continue with it - unless anyone has any suggestions otherwise, or has a better idea?

What would be the best tyre to fit for maximum comfort?( I am not over interested in speed or rally handling)

Thanks
Hal

[JonB]

Hal, that is the original fitment Dunlop wheel, painted gold (it left the factory black with lacquered alloy spokes).

When fitting tyres get the right size and profile, which is 165 80 R13. Comfort is unlikely to be an issue as you run them at fairly low pressures and the car is softly spring. Also the seats are very soft too. Pressures are, I think, 25 PSI front, 26 rear. Over inflate them and you will experience vagueness when driving in a straight line. At least that was my experience.

There is much debate about tyres on here. Michelin XAS are the period choice but they are very expensive. ?200 a corner! For my money I?d go for something decent but not expensive like Kumho Solus KH17. I have a set on my car with the wrong profile (60 instead of 80), so they don?t fill the wheel arches but they do hold the road well. Fitted by the previous owner, they have 1000 miles on them so I haven?t changed them yet as it seems like such a waste.

[alan.barker]

+1 imho standard size tyres are the best suited for the road as JonB said 165/80.
Just make sure the Tyre fitter knows how to fit Tyres to the Lotus Alloys without damage
Fit from back of Wheel and not front so Tyre goes into the well of the Wheel to help the last part to slip over Rim.
Also they don't have the safety Bead so many fit Tubes. But that is a personal choice.
Alan

[HCA]

Thanks both!

I will file away the tip re fitting tubes...

For educational purposes, is this wheel the 'Panasport', or is that another style..?

[alan.barker]

For me Lotus alloy as fitted to Elan +2S130 cars.
Alan

[JonB]

This is what they should look like..




..if you are interested in originality.

[LaikaTheDog]

Mine were straightened, powder coated and then "cut" I should have had them lacquered.

[alan.barker]

My August 1973 plus 2 130/4 in photo as original was Hex Nut to secure Lotus alloy Wheels.
As it left the Factory.
Alan

[el-saturn]

these are called brand rims. they come in knock off and standard. i have a set of knock-offs in 4,5inch - they're ONE KG lighter than steel and minilite (magnesium are lighter!!) E A C H!! i'd sell 'em, BUT only for a good price. sandy ps we used to say: 1kg is equal to 0,1 sec per lap (3-4km) - so here's 0,4 fer ya!

[HCA]

Again - what to Panasports look like?!

Maybe somewhere there is a picture leaflet of all the different Elan wheels..?

[JonB]

Panasport wheels look like this:




Popular on Minis. There's quite a few threads on here about problems fitting them to Elans. I think they need a turned steel adapter to sit right on the Lotus hubs.

[HCA]

I have a lot to learn!
In my Mini days, they were called Minilites - a must have, along with a roll of chequered tape, for true Mini followers

[JonB]

Mine were straightened, powder coated and then "cut" I should have had them lacquered.

PO did mine. Very beautiful. Then during the car?s first winter with me in my cold damp garage, the Alloy went dull. Guess they weren?t lacquered either!

[nmauduit]

Previous threads conclude that it is, within reason, the lightest wheel for the +2, and as it is the wheel that comes with my car, I am happy to continue with it - unless anyone has any suggestions otherwise, or has a better idea?

Bonjour Hal

some would argue that J.A.P Magna are lighter ... (short of real magnesium wheels, but that is an other story), but I have a set of 4"1/2 for my S4 similar to yours and they are indeed pretty light. Mine must be period repros of some sort, I was told manufacturer Dunlops only came in 5"1/2 - but the original black paint and clear varnish is still mostly there, and quite thick (clearance on the 2 seater is minimal at the rear wishbone bolts, sub minimal even). I use them for track day so that I don't risk pulling too hard on my original steel wheels with sticky tires.

JAP Magna 5" and 5.5"

As for confort regarding tires, my approach would be primarily consider suspension for confort (spring rates and damper setting), and get decent tires even for mild road only use.

bonne route !

[HCA]

When fitting tyres get the right size and profile, which is 165 80 R13. Comfort is unlikely to be an issue as you run them at fairly low pressures and the car is softly spring.

Would it feel even softer do you think if one went up to 175/80R13? It adds 0.3" to the tyre wall. Yes, it might slow the accelaration down, but if one is not racing the car, it should be hardly noticeable.

I have a little Skoda Pick-up where I went up a notch and added about half an inch to the diameter and was amazed at the extra comfort level..