Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Yes I understand the CN36 is a good tyre.
However my comment re newish tyres and the ride height on my car was because new v old tyres can sometimes make quite a few mm difference.

Alan

alanr wrote:Hi Ian,
My September '71 +2S130 is a sister car to the one you have just bought.( Yours I see is August '71) Your car started life in Colorado Orange and my car is still Colorado Orange.
A simple non scientific crude measurement i have just taken is that my car ( on newish 13inch tyres, from the ground to the centre of the wheel arch measures exactly 25inches, both on the front arch and also the rear arch. If you measure your car the same way we can see what the difference is?

2 JLT8K 04.07.22.jpg

Alan.

Cool seeing original colours. I'm happy with the odd grey (slate sort of) that was chosen for me 40+ years ago but I'd be just as happy with those.

I will make that semi-accurate measure and report back.

Best .. Ian

h20hamelan wrote:Look at

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/165r13 ... -cn36.html

I enjoy my set

I will look into it. I did speak with Perelli Canada, and was discouraged to hear they could or would not do one-off importation. I did mention off-shore sourcing in my conversation and they didn't discourage that.

Best .. Ian

Hi

Lovely cars! The UK (where I am) spec cars definitely sit lower as standard. That used to be true of the MG's of the time also.

All the best

Berni

Costs of shipping is included, not duties, tariffs or taxes etc.

Hello --

Have measured and reporting back. Height to arch edge center at front is 24 1/2" and the rear is 24 3/8. The car is on 175/70-13 tyres, which will be approximately 1/2" diameter larger than a 165/70-13.

Best .. Ian

h20hamelan wrote:Costs of shipping is included, not duties, tariffs or taxes etc.

Presuming you've imported to Canada, how smoothly did the shipping and brokering process go?

Best .. Ian

didit wrote:Hello --

Have measured and reporting back. Height ti arch edge center at front is 24 1/2" and the rear is 24 3/8. The car is on 175/70-13 tyres, which will be approximately 1/2" diameter larger than a 165/70-13.

Best .. Ian

Hi Ian,

Ahh....Your measurements are very interesting to compare with my car! Maybe there is some photographic illusion with the smaller profile but slightly fatter tyres that your car has fitted?
The standard spec wheel/tyre size for the +2S130 as supplied by Lotus is 165/80/R13 which my car has currently fitted.
My car in the photos's certainly does appear to be lower than your car.

Whatever!,..... it doesn't really matter does it if it handles ok!...just enjoy the drive!

Best regards,

Alan.

alanr wrote:

didit wrote:Hello --

Have measured and reporting back. Height ti arch edge center at front is 24 1/2" and the rear is 24 3/8. The car is on 175/70-13 tyres, which will be approximately 1/2" diameter larger than a 165/70-13.

Best .. Ian

Hi Ian,

Ahh....Your measurements are very interesting to compare with my car! Maybe there is some photographic illusion with the smaller profile but slightly fatter tyres that your car has fitted?
The standard spec wheel/tyre size for the +2S130 as supplied by Lotus is 165/80/R13 which my car has currently fitted.
My car in the photos's certainly does appear to be lower than your car.

Whatever!,..... it doesn't really matter does it if it handles ok!...just enjoy the drive!

Best regards,

Alan.

A minor but for this topic serious error on me, as a 165/80-13 has nominal slightly larger diameter. That'd raise a car a bit (1/2" perhaps) and definitely fill the space visually.

Best .. Ian

didit wrote:

h20hamelan wrote:Costs of shipping is included, not duties, tariffs or taxes etc.

Presuming you've imported to Canada, how smoothly did the shipping and brokering process go?

Best .. Ian

I paid Canada Post the $__ though unfortunately the shipping is included, so shipping is part of the duties.
I am guessing because the UK is a large trading partner, it wasn’t as bad as some other countries for duties I have had a few over recent years from Croatia, Hungary, Colombia which seemed to have much higher 20% tariffs.

I was however surprised Transport Canada allows tyres in, but then again. Maybe that is up to the installer, or whoever reads the label at the side of the road if/when pulled over (does Ontario have yearly inspections, or are 25yr old cars exempt…etc?). There is a good argument for these tyres and I doubt any constabulary would/should object-but they could (it might be far worse after a accident), here in BC they are very strict and I am always nervous. So typically I only use them for local trips. Japan and UK etc even though they share many of the same standards. Canada, USA & Mexico are as far as I know, the only countries that share the same tyre stamping/accreditation.

These are some of the reasons Pirelli wont import them, and more reason to look at the 14” Minilites etc. Having said this, there are options for 13 Mini’s and Mazda. Further, vintage racing is becoming larger in N America and tyre companies are taking note. There are some good treads and manufacturers who have offered 13’s in the past. Toyo 888 are out of stock, same for the nice Nakang. Coker and Vredestein's are fine, but not major manufacturers.

Hello --

A final closing note on this thread. Deferred action on tyres until recently, and after another round go at research I did place an order for a set of Pirelli 165VR13 Cinturato CN36 with Longstone. All went smoothly, and pricing truly fair. Even once adding shipping and roughly CDN$75 taxes/duty they were my most economical suitable option. Will have opportunity now that spring weather has arrived to pull my car out of storage and have them mounted and balanced next week.

Thanks to all for the advice and warm welcome.

Best .. Ian