Steering Wheel Boss/Centre

[SimonJM]

When I bought my car (71 +2S 130) it was fitted with a wooden Moto-Lita wheel with a metal (as opposed to plastic) centre. It looks great, but I would like to fit an original Lotus wheel. I managed to persuade the dealer to throw a decent leather wheel into the deal (black spokes, no signature), but it doesn't have a centre and the Moto-Lita boss is, of course different, so will need to be replaced.

This was a few months ago and I had a quick look on eBay at the time. There were three centres for sale, so I thought they were easy to get hold of and left it for a bit. I am now regretting this as I haven't seen another since.

Does anyone know where I might be able to track one down? Ditto a boss? (Paul Matty doesn't have them.) I am based in the UK.

[alaric]

If you look in the for sale section I think that pmallinson may have a wheel for sale - if it hasn't gone - might be easier than looking for parts of a wheel.

Sean.

[1964 S1]

Howdy,
Can you put a Spitfire centre/boss on it? That could be the original wheel, does it have holes or slots? (assuming there are later model +2's without signature wheels,,,)))

I've come to learn there's a near infinite supply and quite a variety of Spitfire wheels available, some very cheap and they look okay on a Lotus. What other car used our shared column? GT6? Herald? (what a hoot) Do Europa wheels fit?

Eric

[denicholls2]

The column was for Spitfire up through MKIII for no steering lock. Used on Elan, Europa, and I'm pretty sure the Plus 2 as well.

I know the boss is the same for Spitfire, Herald, and GT6+ through 1970. I believe it's also the same for the TR's through TR6 although the wheel size itself is different.

I adapted the Momo I used with a Grant Spitfire adapter. Yours may be similar; a suitable wheel should be quite easy to find.

[kstrutt11]

Before you fit the new wheel just make sure you will be happy driving it, I replaced mine with a slightly smaller motolita leather one because the original was just to big and cumbersome.
I am on the other hand 6' 4" and seem to have a proportions similar to an orangotan so perhaps it's just me.

I Sold the old one on ebay.

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Eric,

I think you will find that the Europa wheel has is more deeply dished, which will probably bring the wheel far to close to you in an Elan.

John