Tyre / Wheel Size for S2 se ?

[l10tus]

The early S2 was offered with knock-on wheels as an optional extra and was standard fittment on an se version.
Apparently the normal bolt-on wheels were 145 x 13"
Q: what size rim was the knock-on wheel - were they 155 x 13 size as the later Sprints?

Or were special 145 x 13 size knock-on rims available???

Your thoughts please?

[Mazzini]

Hi Phil,

I think you're confusing tyre size and wheel size.

The KO wheel size for the Elan did not change from the S2 S/E through to the Sprint.

The tyre size did, from 145 to 155, but Lotus had to flair the arches to do it, hence the squared off arches on the S4 and Sprints.

Not sure if 155's were ever offered on the S3? I suspect not.

HNY,

R

[l10tus]

Thanks for the info Mr Mazzini, much appreciated.

[StressCraxx]

Hi Phil,

.......

Not sure if 155's were ever offered on the S3? I suspect not.

HNY,

R

Earliest cars and later "standard" base model cars were delivered with bias ply 5.20x13 Firestone F-100s. I still have my original spare...
155 section width tires were not offered on S1 through S3 cars. However that didn't stop owners from trying to fit them, usually with the sidewalls rubbing on fiberglass, spring perches in the rear, and the occasional cracks on the edges of the front wings from entering driveway aprons.

Regards,
Dan

[l10tus]

Thanks for the info Dan

[el-saturn]

hi phil - if you're a purist: don't read!........................ i have a s2 (partially s3: not my fault!!) and i use a very good MODERN tyre: A539 by yokohama (175 60 13: they just fit: 3mil clearance) which is adequate for over 100hp. i may have 160 and i'd probably peel the rubber off of some junk certain elan's have as STANDARD!! sandy --- semi slicks would be one step further BUT here in switzerland there's radars all over the place and i don't race

[nigelrbfurness]

For what it's worth, I always ran 155x13 tyres on both s1 and s2 cars without any problems although the clearance between the arch lip and the tyre at the rear varied a bit from car to car. I believe the s4 arches were intended for 165x13 tyres.