New Wheels

[NYK]

Restoration nearing the end, 99% mechanically complete and interior starting to trickle back from the trimmer. Rolled her out and put the new wheels on which I think go well with the colour.

[SENC]

Very nice!

[alanr]

Looks great!
What size are the wheels and tyres ?

Alan.

[NYK]

I went for 14” fitted with Yokohama Blue Earth175/70 R14. According the the wheel/tyre comparison charts these were the closest to original tyre in terms of diameter. That said they did look a bit bigger than the old ones I took off but that could have been because the old ones didn’t have much tread left.

[alanr]

Thanks for the info on the sizes you have gone for.
Does using these sizes cause any clearance issues at all ?

Thanks,

Alan.

[NYK]

Thanks for the info on the sizes you have gone for.
Does using these sizes cause any clearance issues at all ?

Thanks,

Alan.

Not obviously, but I have not looked at the wheel loaded/unloaded and on lock. I think other people have fitted 185s and have not reported issues.

[wotsisname]

Does a same size spare fit in the boot correctly?

[NYK]

Does a same size spare fit in the boot correctly?

Not sure

[TBG]

Why oh why not the original wheels......................Y

[NYK]

Well let me think........oh, I expect it’s because I preferred the ones I chose. The exterior colour is not a Lotus colour or yet will the contrasting green leather interior or walnut steering wheel be original but having spent 4 years restoring the car and an expected rebuild cost of about £30k I prefer to have the car as I like it and not be constrained by what Lotus did 50 years ago.

[wotsisname]

Does a same size spare fit in the boot correctly?

Not sure

The original sizing is pretty close to the boot board when its fitted.. not an insurmountable problem.. but you might have to budget for a slightly smaller suitcase

[bill griffiths]

Thanks for sharing your preferences.
I have reached, quite independantly, pretty much the same conclusion following a long rebuild and I am heartened to read of your decision with which, for various reasons, I agree completely.
Regardd
Bill

[persiflage]

Looks good to me

[NYK]

Thanks, new carpets in today and picked up some of the re-trimmed interior yesterday. Starting to look like a car now.

[JJ66]

Hi there NYK,

Your car is looking fantastic, and very nice door gaps! I will be rebuilding my door hinges soon to try and achieve somewhere near to what you have done with the fit. Main reason for writing is to ask if you are going to fit the front screen yourself, and is it a bonded screen? I am going to need to change screens at some point and have read various comments about it being quite tricky, so it would be good to hear if you have any tips.

Regards, Jonathan