The 1969 Lotus Elan sits in the sweet spot of British sports-car history, combining Colin Chapman’s lightweight philosophy with the quick, delicate responses that made the Elan such a benchmark on winding roads. Tire choice matters on a car like this because its steering feel and overall character are closely tied to proper sizing. The 1969 Lotus Elan uses both period bias-ply and radial fitments on 13-inch rims, with 155R13 or 560-13 for the Base and Sprint, and 165R13 or 600-13 for the Plus 2. Available choices range from blackwall radials to narrow and wide whitewall bias-ply tires, with modern radial equivalents also available for the bias-ply sizes. The right selection depends on sub-model, appearance goals, and whether the car is being kept closer to period feel or driven with a radial alternative in mind.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1969 Lotus Elan
Four primary tire sizes apply to the 1969 Lotus Elan, and the correct choice depends first on the exact sub-model. Base and Sprint models use the smaller 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply, while the Plus 2 uses 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply. All of these sizes fit 13-inch rims, so the key decision is confirming the car’s sub-model and then deciding whether to stay with a period-style bias-ply fitment or use the corresponding radial size.
155R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 155 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1969 Lotus Elan, this radial size suits the Base and Sprint and gives those cars a period European sizing format rather than an older numeric bias-ply designation. Available choices include Michelin and Dunlop blackwall tires in series such as Michelin XAS-FF and SP Sport Aquajet. This size makes sense for owners who want a radial presentation aligned with the Elan’s lightweight sports-car character while still confirming wheel width and overall vehicle setup.
560-13 is a numeric bias-ply size, with the 560 code representing an approximate 5.60-inch nominal section width and the 13 identifying the wheel diameter. For the 1969 Lotus Elan Base and Sprint, it provides the traditional bias-ply construction and visual character associated with an earlier period tire format. Product choices include BFGoodrich and Firestone options in Silvertown Classic Bias Ply and Firestone Classic Bias Ply, with narrow and wide whitewall treatments available. This size is the one to evaluate when period-style appearance matters, especially if the car retains narrow wheels suited to bias-ply specifications.
165R13 is a Euro-metric radial size that uses a 165 millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. On the 1969 Lotus Elan, this larger radial size applies to the Plus 2 and reflects the need to match the tire to that specific sub-model rather than to the Elan range as a whole. Michelin and Dunlop offer blackwall options in series including Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, and SP Sport Aquajet. This size is the practical starting point for a Plus 2 owner who wants a radial tire in the correct sizing family and needs to verify wheel width before choosing among available products.
600-13 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 600 indicates an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and 13 designates the rim diameter. For the 1969 Lotus Elan Plus 2, it serves as the period-style bias-ply counterpart to the radial 165R13 fitment. Available selections come from BFGoodrich in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, with both narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. This size is worth considering when the goal is a more traditional tire construction and appearance on a Plus 2, while still checking wheel width and overall clearance before moving away from an existing setup.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1969 Lotus Elan because tire size changes between the standard Elan variants and the larger Plus 2. Base and Sprint share one fitment pattern, while the Plus 2 uses a different pair of sizes, so identifying the exact car comes before choosing construction or appearance.
1
1969 Lotus Elan Base
The 1969 Lotus Elan Base uses the smaller Elan fitment pattern, with a choice between a radial size and a period-style bias-ply size on 13-inch rims. That gives the owner a clear decision between preserving a more traditional presentation or selecting a radial option that stays within the proper size family for the car.
The 1969 Lotus Elan Plus 2 uses the larger tire sizing shared by the Plus 2 rather than the standard Elan models. Tire selection starts with that distinction, then moves to whether the car should stay with a bias-ply presentation or use the corresponding radial size and blackwall product choices available in that fitment.
The 1969 Lotus Elan Sprint follows the same tire-fitment pattern as the Base model, using the smaller Elan size family on a 13-inch rim. That makes the choice less about finding the right sub-model size and more about deciding between a restoration-oriented bias-ply look and a radial tire in the correct sizing range.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1969 Lotus Elan
The 1969 Lotus Elan bias-ply sizes each have three radial-equivalent options. For 560-13, the equivalents are 155R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P155/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial. For 600-13, the equivalents are 165R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P165/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P175/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial. The choices move from traditional Euro-metric sizing to later P-metric profiles, and the recommended rim-width range for the bias-ply equivalents is 4 to 5 inches, so wheel width and clearance should be checked before changing sizes.
Modern Radial Equivalents
155R13
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (560-13)
P155/75R13
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (560-13)
P155/70R13
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (560-13)
165R13
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (600-13)
P165/75R13
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (600-13)
P175/70R13
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (600-13)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (4-5 in) and load needs match your vehicle specifications.
Check fender clearance, steering clearance, and stance before installation.
Consider suspension condition and intended road use when choosing equivalents.
Important Fitment Notes
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1969 Lotus Elan Tires for Sale
Available 1969 Lotus Elan tire choices include Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone options across radial and bias-ply construction. Buyers can compare blackwall radial sport-touring styles against narrow or wide whitewall bias-ply tires, with differences in tire series and rim-width compatibility across the 13-inch fitments.
These 1969 Lotus Elan tire FAQs focus on the key decisions owners actually face: sub-model size differences, 13-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial choices, available radial equivalents, appearance options, and the checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1969 Lotus Elan?
A 1969 Lotus Elan does not use just one tire size across every version. Base and Sprint models use either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply tires, while the Plus 2 uses either 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply tires, all on 13-inch rims.
That means the first step is identifying whether the car is a Base, Plus 2, or Sprint before choosing a tire. After that, the real decision becomes whether to stay with a period-style bias-ply size or choose the corresponding radial fitment, while also confirming the actual wheels on the car if it has been changed from stock over the years.
What size rim does a 1969 Lotus Elan use?
The 1969 Lotus Elan uses 13-inch rims across its supported tire sizes. Both the radial sizes, 155R13 and 165R13, and the bias-ply sizes, 560-13 and 600-13, are built around a 13-inch wheel diameter.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a lightweight sports car with more than one size family. Wheel width still matters, because the available tires are designed around different rim-width ranges, so it is worth measuring the actual wheels before choosing between the smaller Base and Sprint fitments and the larger Plus 2 fitments.
Do all 1969 Lotus Elan sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1969 Lotus Elan Base and Sprint share the same tire-size pattern, using 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply tires, while the 1969 Lotus Elan Plus 2 uses the larger 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply fitment.
That difference is important because the Plus 2 should not be approached as if it uses the same tires as every other Elan variant. Before ordering tires, confirm the exact sub-model and then compare the wheels currently on the car, since a long-owned collector vehicle may have been fitted with replacement wheels or a different tire construction at some point.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 560-13 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1969 Lotus Elan?
560-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1969 Lotus Elan Base and Sprint. It uses the older numeric sizing system and represents the traditional bias-ply fitment, while 155R13 is the corresponding radial size used on those same sub-models.
That distinction matters because choosing 560-13 keeps the car in a period-style construction and opens the door to narrow or wide whitewall presentation. Moving to the radial alternative changes the tire construction and sizing format, so the owner should compare wheel width, overall vehicle setup, and the kind of driving the car will actually see before making the change.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 560-13 and 600-13?
For 560-13, radial equivalents include 155R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P155/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial. For 600-13, the equivalents are 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13 in those same sizing categories.
These equivalent sizes give a buyer several ways to move from an older bias-ply format into radial sizing, but they should be treated as alternatives rather than automatic replacements. A 4 to 5 inch recommended rim-width range is associated with the bias-ply equivalency, so wheel width, tire clearance, and the car’s current setup should all be reviewed before converting.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1969 Lotus Elan?
Either construction can be appropriate on a 1969 Lotus Elan, depending on the sub-model and the owner’s priorities. Base and Sprint can be fitted with 560-13 bias-ply or 155R13 radial tires, while the Plus 2 can use 600-13 bias-ply or 165R13 radial tires.
Bias-ply tires usually make more sense when period-style appearance and traditional presentation matter most. Radials are often the route for owners who want to stay within the radial size family already associated with the car, but the decision should still include a close look at wheel width, suspension condition, and any previous changes that might affect clearance.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1969 Lotus Elan tire?
Start with the exact sub-model, because Base and Sprint use the smaller 155R13 or 560-13 fitment, while the Plus 2 uses 165R13 or 600-13. From there, the main choices are construction type, sidewall appearance, brand, and whether the wheel width matches the tire being considered.
A restoration-oriented Elan may call for a bias-ply tire with a traditional whitewall treatment, while a more road-focused car may stay with a blackwall radial in the correct size family. It also helps to compare product details such as rim-width range, load capacity where stated, and tire series so the final choice matches both the car’s setup and the owner’s intended use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1969 Lotus Elan tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1969 Lotus Elan depend on size and construction. The radial options in 155R13 and 165R13 are available as blackwalls, while the bias-ply 560-13 and 600-13 tires are available with narrow whitewall or wide whitewall styling.
That gives the owner a clear appearance choice between a sportier blackwall radial look and a more traditional whitewall bias-ply presentation. Sidewall style should still be chosen only after confirming the correct sub-model size, since a whitewall treatment on the wrong tire size would still be the wrong fitment for the car even if the look is appealing.
What brands offer tires for the 1969 Lotus Elan?
Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone all have tire offerings for the 1969 Lotus Elan, depending on the size and construction selected. Michelin and Dunlop cover the radial side in 155R13 and 165R13, while BFGoodrich and Firestone appear in the bias-ply 560-13 and 600-13 sizes.
Brand choice should come after the fitment decision, not before it. Once the right size and construction are confirmed, the buyer can compare tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width specification, and other product details to choose the option that best suits the car’s appearance goals and the way it will be driven.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1969 Lotus Elan?
For a period-style 1969 Lotus Elan, the bias-ply sizes are the natural starting point. Base and Sprint models use 560-13 in bias-ply form, while the Plus 2 uses 600-13, giving the car an older tire construction and a visual character that suits many restoration-minded presentations.
The final choice still depends on the exact look being pursued, since whitewall width and overall tire presentation can change the car’s appearance noticeably. When historical accuracy matters beyond general period style, it is wise to compare the tire choice against marque-club guidance, period photos, or other vehicle-specific references rather than assuming any available vintage-style tire is exact.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1969 Lotus Elan?
Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1969 Lotus Elan; it also changes the car’s visual impression. Bias-ply tires in 560-13 or 600-13 carry an older sizing format and can be paired with narrow or wide whitewall styling, while the radial options use blackwall Euro-metric sizing.
That means the choice between bias-ply and radial often becomes part of the restoration strategy rather than a purely mechanical decision. A buyer trying to preserve a more traditional look may lean toward the numeric bias-ply sizes, while someone emphasizing road use may prefer the blackwall radial presentation that still stays within the proper Elan size family.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1969 Lotus Elan?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1969 Lotus Elan even when the tire size itself is correct for the sub-model. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered suspension height, bodywork repairs, or steering and brake changes can all influence how much room the tire actually has.
That is especially important on a compact sports car where clearances can be tighter than on larger collector vehicles. If the Elan has been changed from its earlier setup, check wheel diameter, wheel width, inner and outer clearance, and steering movement before settling on either the bias-ply fitment or a radial alternative in the same general size family.
What should I inspect before driving a 1969 Lotus Elan on new tires?
Before driving a 1969 Lotus Elan on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, make sure the tires are seated properly, and confirm that nothing rubs at full steering lock or under normal suspension movement. Tire pressure, valve condition, and wheel fastener security also deserve a careful check.
A short test drive should be used to watch for vibration, pulling, or any sign of contact with the body or suspension. On a collector car that may sit for long periods, it also makes sense to recheck pressure and look over the sidewalls after the first few drives, since settling issues or slow air loss can appear after initial installation.
How should tires on a collector 1969 Lotus Elan be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1969 Lotus Elan should be checked regularly for pressure, tread condition, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of air loss. Because many Elans are driven infrequently, age and storage conditions can matter just as much as mileage when judging whether the tires are still suitable for road use.
Good storage helps preserve both radial and bias-ply tires, especially if the car is kept away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment. It is also smart to inspect the tires before any longer outing, since a low-use sports car can develop flat spotting, pressure loss, or age-related deterioration without accumulating many miles.
