Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I have an Elan KO wheel 4 1/2J by 13. What modern size tire would be closest to original. I believe the original was a 165 R13.

I am using this as a spare tire for my Elan +2 with 14 inch wheels. I would assume the largest outside diameter tire would be best.

Bob

Bob

In the sixties the aspect ratio was uniform at about 78% until Firestone introduced the 70 series Wide Oval and then the 60 series, so the modern equivalent simply adds the aspect ratio closest to that of the sixties which is /80.
Hence a 165/80 X 13 is what will be equivalent to the original tire. HTH Ross

The original tyre width was 145 when radials first introduced to the Elan I beleive and then 155 on later S4 Elans. I dont think 165 was ever standard fitting on the Elan. It was however used as standard on the Plus 2.

cheers
Rohan

The S3 Elan had a 145/82 R13 (radial ply) tyre on a 4.1/2 J rim; this tyre/wheel combination had a 1725mm (+1.5/-2.5%) rolling circumference

Note: early Elans had a 5.20 x 13 cross ply tyre.

The S4 had a 155/82 R13 tyre on a 4.1/2 J rim: 1765mm (+1.5/-2.5%) rolling circumference

The +2 had a 165/82 R13 tyre on a 5.1/2 J rim: 1820mm (+1.5/-2.5%) rolling circumference

Your 14-inch 6J rims were intended to have a 185/60 R14 tyre, and these have a 1765mm (+1.5/-2.5%) rolling circumference

So, if you do have these fitted, then you would need either:
a) 155/82 R13: 1765mm (+1.5/-2.5%) rolling circumference, or
b) 175/70 R13: 1770mm (+1.5/-2.5%) rolling circumference, or
c) 205/60 R13: 1755mm (+1.5/-2.5%) rolling circumference (but don't go there, obviously, as it will foul?)

Bob,

If you are using 14" wheels, probably you are using 185/60-14 tyres. These have a nominal rev/mile figure of 915.

Close sizes to this are 155-13 at 912 rev/mile and 175/70-13 at 917 rev/mile.

elan-f15/speed-candidate-conversion-chart-t16331-14.html has a down loadable spreadsheet where one of the sheets has many tyres sorted by rev/mile so that you can see what your options are.

elan-f15/updated-spreadsheets-t18445.html has another down loadable spreadsheet with the same information presented in different formats.

David
1968 36/7988

Not much size selection with 13 inch tires.

I purchased a 165/80R13 tire for $48.

Fit in the spare tire well of my +2 fine.

Bob