Minilite Wheels Elan S1

[Certified Lotus]

Last year I ordered five minilite 13 x 5 wheels for my Elan S1. Took months to get them and I carefully stored them for while I was researching tires (ended up buying Yokohama's from the U.K. and shipping to US).

I had custom Lotus stick on decals made for the center caps and aluminum valve stems & caps installed.

Well, I had the new tires mounted on the minilite's with the stick on weights carefully mounted in order not to interfere with rear suspension or front calipers.

I installed them this weekend............guess what? I don't like the way they look on the car! I actually prefer the OEM steel wheels with chrome Lotus hub caps. So back to the tire shop to remount all the tires on OEM steel wheels.

Anyone interested in 5 minilite wheels?

[seniorchristo]

Glen
I think it would be useful to post some photos of your Elan in profile to help get a better sense of the overall look.
I have Minilites on my S3 which I think look terrific.

[Certified Lotus]

Chris, I never took my S1 out of the garage to shoot a profile shot after installing the minilite wheels. Your car looks great with the minilites. I just liked the "period look" of the steel wheels and hub caps of my S1. As you know, I have a bit of a "street sleeper" with my S1 as I have 150HP at the crank. Although I have a non-historic early Elan,(due to 26R chassis, coil over shocks and higher HP twin cam engine) I like the fact that it looks period but runs and handles likes a "bat out of hell".

[seniorchristo]

Glen
I'm shooting for 151HP (at the crank) with my new motor

[Certified Lotus]

You'll need suspension mods too Chris. Then we can do a few back road tours

[Rich]

I would be interested. Where are they located and how much are you asking?
Rich
[email protected]

[661]

Which Yoko's did you go for in the end?

[loueelotus]

Hi,
I have original Magnesium minilites on my S2 and it gives the car a special look at yur do. (the mags from the past for Elans)..

Lou

[Rich]

Lou
I am about ready to paint my newly
restored S2. From what I can gather the original color was white. Can you send some more pictures of you car so that I can get a better sense of what the car will look like when painted white. Is you shade of white an original Elan white and correct for the yest?
Thanks
Rich
65 Elan S2
26/3955

[fatboyoz]

Hi Lou,
I have the same set of Minilites on my S4. Must have been fitted from new, as I bought the car in Hong Kong in 1987 and it had been there from new. These wheels would not have been available in HKG so they were probably fitted before delivery to HKG.
This is the first time I have seen another set of this particular Minilite.
I think our cars look quite smart with Minilites, and am surprised that Glen did not like his S1 with them.
Cheers,
Colin.
P.S. Where in the world are you?

Hi,
I have original Magnesium minilites on my S2 and it gives the car a special look at yur do. (the mags from the past for Elans)..

Lou

[Maulden7]

Glen - from experience I would be very wary of using original steel S1 / S2 wheels for anything other than parking on, especially with an uprated car that is presumably going to be driven hard.

I had one fail on me (the center stayed on the car but the rim / tyre left me with three wheels on my wagon going round a bend at speed during a sprint event - about 3 seconds warning - scary)

I replaced them with ...... yes ..... Minilites - & I think they look great!

I would have the oem wheels X rayed / crack tested before using.

Dave M.

[Certified Lotus]

These are the Yokohama's I installed:

Great to see other early Elan's with minilite wheels. I'm still partial to the look of my steel wheels with chrome hub caps......but the warnings about how tender they are Is good to know. I did look at my steel wheels closely when I took them off. When I bought this car it came with two full sets of steel wheels and they are in surprisingly good condition.

Never-the-less, I'm going to sell the minilites. I paid $295 each for them plus shipping and I custom ordered dome Lotus stickers for the wheel caps and added aluminum air stems. Will sell all five wheels (will not part out) for $1400 plus shipping (USA only). As most of you know, these wheels are not a stock item in the US.

For those of you that don't know, a modification of your rear suspension is required to fit these wheels. You must grind a corner off the bolt head and a bit of the a-arm collar to fit these. Nothing serious, but it must be done.

[MartinH]

Glen,

I agree with you and do not like the look of the Minilites for my S4. I need to change from the standard steel wheels (which I like) but have already heard the warnings about using them on track. I also have a set of Plus2 brakes to put on the front and when I trial fitted these the steels would not fit over them.

I have seen that Kelvedon are now selling Revolution wheels which I much prefer (theirs are a bit shiny/blingy looking for my taste) I am waiting to here back from them if the 13 inch will fit over the plus2 brakes and/or do they have a 14 inch wheel.

Martin

[denicholls2]

The Minilites are striking with the right color combination, but I agree that they don't "pop" like they usually do on your more sedate S1. On my Lagoon Blue Europa, they are just right and look much better than the steel wheels.

[loueelotus]

Hi Rich,
The car had a respray in 1979 with the same white (Cirrus White) I was told.. I bought it around 1980.. I will get some pic's together and send them soon..

Lou