Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

OK. Im getting the wheels sorted. Now for tyres. Im looking for originality or as close as possible. The last tyres I bought for this car were Goodyear G800's back in '74! In fact theyre currently fitted to the Woolfrace wheels I bought for it in the day. Unused! Still have the moulding flash on them.
So chaps, whats the gen?
Regards
Bob

Where are you located? UK or USA? or somewhere else?

Tires are getting tough to find. "Just don't make em like they used to" takes on a whole new meaning.

Just bought a set of Uniroyal RainExperts for my S3 SE. It took about 9 months to get them and I'm still working on the front suspension and brakes so haven't run them yet but I have the same tyres on my VW Polo and the wet grip is fantastic. They're fine in the dry as well so I'm looking forward to getting the Elan back on the road.

I've also got the Uniroyal Rain Tyre.

I've had them for about 8 years without any problems.

Hello Gentlemen
I'm in Leicestershire UK
Regards
Bob

I don't know if Sprint rims are the same as mine but....

I've just looked at Black Circles.

They do the equivalent Uniroyal tyre 155/80 R13 T (fully fitted) for ?47.51.

Yesterday (at Black Circles) I paid twice that amount for each new tyre for my Ford Fusion daily hack

AlfaLofa wrote:I've also got the Uniroyal Rain Tyre.

I've had them for about 8 years without any problems.

Steve, did you have to modify the wheel arches for 155s? I thought that was why the S4 body was made.

Several of us have used Firestone F-590, I've got a set of 145 width and they've lasted 5 years and 16,000 miles and I'll get another set. They handle reliably and are fine in the wet.

Meg,

Quart Meg Miles wrote:did you have to modify the wheel arches for 155s? I thought that was why the S4 body was made.

No, I did nothing to the arches - perhaps I was lucky.

This picture was taken within the last couple of weeks - there is plenty of room for the tyres.

I don't know about hard cornering though - I gave that up years ago.

bloodknock wrote:OK. Im getting the wheels sorted. Now for tyres. Im looking for originality or as close as possible.... Bob

Bob, I've just noticed your conditional statement. You have the choice of Dunlop SP Sport and Michelin XAS in 155 or 165 width, both of which will set you back ~?160 each or more. Check out http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/lotus-suspension-f42/classic-elan-tyres-t28486-15.html on this forum, otherwise known as "Classic Elan Tyres" in the Wheels, Tyres section on 17 May this year. Also Google said tyres for source and price, which I did but have lost the link.

Holy Moley

I just did a search for Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet Tyres:

http://www.classictyres.com/products/ca ... pplier=102

There are probably (hopefully) cheaper out there.

When I got my car back on the road in 2001 after its 24 year rest I opted for SP Sports to maintain originality.

With exuberant driving they wore very quickly (mileage not time) - hence my Uniroyals.

Found my link!

Only XAS in 155 width though @ ?150+VAT, XAS and SP Sport in 165 @ ?160 +VAT so OK for +2.

http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/lotus-elan

What about Kumho Solus 155/80-13? I have read good reviews on here & only $59 ea. here in the States.

VREDESTEIN QUATRAC 2 Tires are available in the same size $75 each as well.

Vredestein Sprint Classics. Been using them for some time.

I just picked up another set of steel plus 2 wheels (13 x 5.5" instead of 4.5") for my S4.

On my current set I have TOYO RA1s, which are 185/60-13 and great for everything but long highway trips as they are 956 revs/mile compared to 912 for the 155-13s that came on the S4 and Sprint. The thought of driving on them from Baltimore to Watkins Glen or Lime Rock this summer motivated me to get a second set of wheels and tires.

I was thinking about Michelin Defenders, which are available in 175/70-13 and are 917 revs/mile.


I've always liked the ride of Michelins. Just curious if anyone has experience or an opinion.

Thanks, Dan

cal44 wrote:Vredestein Sprint Classics. Been using them for some time.

...so have I. Great tyres about ?60 each are HR rated a well, so should keep your insurance company happy as well. Have a look on the net for Black Circle Tyres who appear to have them in stock...

Carl