The wheels on the Elan go round and round...etc etc...

[mjbeanie]

Hello again Lotus Enthusiasts. Hope your projects are going well.

So I am still in the planning stages of this recently acquired '67 Elan. I am going to get it ready for paint before I build it back up. Been pouring thru the hardware, sorting next steps, and gathering the parts needed to generally return the car to OEM configuration. Today I got stuck on the wheels. Obviously not OEM, and came with the car purchase. However, I cannot decide what to do about these bolt on wheels. The are in good condition, just oxidized and need the "webs" painted. They remind me of the "turbine" wheels on a '78 Alfa Spider, I had a few years ago..)

First inquiry: I would have thought a late 1966 Elan S3 DHC would have had the "knock off" hubs. (It is possible the previous owner switched them out.) Were 4 bolt hubs still being offered in October 66 ?

Second question, Does anyone recognize these wheels? I would be interested to know the vendor but don't knoiw where to look for a marking. Are they good, bad or anything special? Are they worth saving/ reconditioning? Only discernible stamp was Made in Great Britain. Are they worth keeping on the car after refurbishing the finish, or should I try to reconfigure to Knock-offs, or perhaps stick with bolt on's, and move onto some aftermarket design or Minilights? Just wondering what y'all think. Just considering all options, but I am in a quandary..

Cheers
MIke

[h20hamelan]

I have the same wheels

[512BB]

' I would have thought a late 1966 Elan S3 DHC would have had the "knock off" hubs. (It is possible the previous owner switched them out.) Were 4 bolt hubs still being offered in October 66 ?'

You could have what ever you wanted so long as Lotus had it in stock and you paid for it. A friend of mine had bolt on wheels on an S4 from the factory.

If you remove the tyres from the wheels, you may well find the manufacturers name. They look similar to Cosmic wheels, but you could write what I know about wheels on the back of a Penny Black. After all, Penny Black lives matter

Leslie

[h20hamelan]

Mine say made in Britain, inside back of ‘spokes’

[h20hamelan]

Forgot to add, my car is the same colour too
I thought sometime I might be different

[rgh0]

bolt on hubs were standard on the standard cars my Dc 68 S4 had them from new. SE's got knock ons but i am sure you could order the non standard option if you wanted

cheers
Rohan

[elans3]

I think your wheels may well be a brand called 100+.
I had them on one or two of my old road rally 2300 Vauxhall Magnums back in the late 70's.

[mjbeanie]

Thanks for the replies. They are indeed 100+ rims. Called Octavo, from the mid 1970's, Very popular on the BMW 2002 apparently. I am starting to get used to them on the Elan. I will plan to refurbish them, and reinstall.
Thanks guys

[wdb]

Is this the BaT car from a couple of months ago?

[mjbeanie]

Yes it is..

[h20hamelan]

I bought mine because I figured they looked very classy, and nice on the Elan

[skelteanema]

My 67 S3 DHC has bolt on hubs as standard.

[greg40green]

My 1970 S4 had bolt on wheels as standard , from new ,
Also bolt on hubs give you a better selection of none standard wheels you can fit , if you so wish .

bolt on hubs were standard on the standard cars my Dc 68 S4 had them from new. SE's got knock ons but i am sure you could order the non standard option if you wanted

cheers
Rohan

[mjbeanie]

Thanks all for the great feedback. I really enjoy learning the build details of this model. Now if I could only find a skilled craftsman nearby, to turn the car Opalesecent Silver Blue, as noted in the '66 Elan S3 "Emma Peel Edition"...(Guess I have never gotten over The Avengers.. Cheers, Mike

[h20hamelan]

Please do, i wanna be unique