1972 Lotus Elan Tires

A 1972 Lotus Elan uses more than one tire size depending on the sub-model. Base and Sprint models use 155R13 in radial form or 560-13 in bias-ply form, while the Plus 2 uses 165R13 in radial form or 600-13 in bias-ply form. All of these fitments are built around a 13-inch wheel diameter.

The most important step is confirming whether the car is a Base, Sprint, or Plus 2 before choosing a tire. After that, decide whether the goal is a traditional bias-ply look or a radial setup, then confirm the actual wheel width and the car’s current clearance if wheels or suspension have been changed over time.

The 1972 Lotus Elan uses a 13-inch rim diameter across its primary tire sizes. That applies to 155R13, 560-13, 165R13, and 600-13, so the tire choices for this car stay within one wheel diameter even though the overall fitment varies by sub-model and construction type.

Rim diameter alone does not settle the full tire decision, because wheel width still matters and the Plus 2 uses different tire sizes than the Base and Sprint. A car that has been modified may also wear replacement wheels, so checking the actual wheel dimensions on the car is worth doing before selecting a tire.

No, the covered 1972 Lotus Elan sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The Base and Sprint share 155R13 and 560-13 fitments, while the Plus 2 uses 165R13 and 600-13. The split follows both size and construction, with each sub-model family offering a radial and a bias-ply choice.

That distinction matters because a 13-inch tire that fits one Elan variant is not automatically the right size for another. Owners should start with the exact sub-model name, then match the tire to the intended construction type and verify that the wheels on the car still correspond to the correct fitment range for that version.

560-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1972 Lotus Elan. It is used on the Base and Sprint alongside the radial 155R13 alternative, so the car can be matched either to a traditional numeric bias-ply size or to a classic Euro-metric radial size, depending on the setup being chosen.

That means the decision is not just about size code but also about construction and presentation. A buyer keeping a more vintage look may stay with 560-13, while someone considering radial behavior can evaluate the appropriate equivalent sizes and make sure the wheel width, stance, and clearance still suit the tire being considered.

For 560-13, the radial equivalents are 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13. For 600-13, the radial equivalents are 165R13, P165/75R13, and P175/70R13. The first option in each group is an 80-series metric radial, followed by a 75-series P-metric radial and then a 70-series P-metric radial.

Those equivalent sizes provide useful alternatives, but they should be treated as fitment choices that still need to be checked against the car’s wheel setup. Rim-width guidance for the bias-ply equivalents falls in the 4 to 5 inch range, and the final choice should also account for body clearance and the exact sub-model involved.

Start by confirming the exact sub-model and original bias-ply size, since Base and Sprint use 560-13 while the Plus 2 uses 600-13. Then compare the intended radial equivalent for the correct 13-inch wheel, making sure the tire size being considered actually corresponds to that bias-ply fitment rather than another Elan variant.

Wheel width is an important next step, especially because radial products and equivalent guidance can differ from narrow bias-ply wheel ranges. It also helps to inspect fender and steering clearance, suspension condition, and the car’s current ride height, since an older Lotus may have changes over time that affect how a radial setup sits and operates.

The first consideration is the exact sub-model, because Base and Sprint use different sizes from the Plus 2. After that, choose between radial and bias-ply construction based on the look and driving character you want, then stay within the correct 13-inch fitment and compare the available brands, tire series, and sidewall styles in that size.

A restoration-oriented car may lean toward a bias-ply tire with a whitewall treatment, while a road-driven Elan may point the buyer toward blackwall radial options from Michelin or Dunlop. Wheel width should also be checked carefully, since not every product within the same diameter is intended for the same rim-width range.

Sidewall style depends on the tire size and construction chosen for the 1972 Lotus Elan. The radial options in 155R13 and 165R13 are available as blackwalls, while the bias-ply 560-13 and 600-13 options include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments. That creates a clear visual split between sport-oriented radial presentation and traditional bias-ply styling.

Appearance choice should still follow the correct sub-model size before it follows sidewall preference. Once the proper fitment is confirmed, the sidewall becomes a useful way to tune the car’s visual character, whether the goal is a cleaner blackwall sports-car look or a more vintage whitewall presentation on a restoration-minded build.

The 1972 Lotus Elan tire selections include Michelin and Dunlop in radial sizes, plus BFGoodrich and Firestone in bias-ply sizes. Michelin appears in XAS and XAS-FF series, Dunlop offers SP Sport Aquajet, BFGoodrich appears in Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, and Firestone is represented in a classic bias-ply offering for 560-13.

Brand choice should come after confirming the proper size and construction for the specific Elan sub-model. Once that is settled, compare the available series and sidewall treatments within that size, along with wheel-width compatibility and any load figures shown for the bias-ply options, to make sure the tire matches the car’s intended use.

A period-style 1972 Lotus Elan usually starts with the correct sub-model size and then a decision about construction. Base and Sprint owners would look at 560-13 for a traditional bias-ply presentation or 155R13 for a classic radial format, while Plus 2 owners would compare 600-13 and 165R13 in the same way.

The best appearance choice depends on whether the goal is a more vintage bias-ply stance or a sports-car radial look that still feels era-appropriate. When exact originality matters, the safest approach is to pair the correct size with marque-specific historical references and then select the sidewall style that best supports that restoration direction.

Tire construction changes the look of a restored 1972 Lotus Elan in noticeable ways because the available bias-ply and radial options present the car differently. The bias-ply sizes 560-13 and 600-13 are offered with narrow or wide whitewall treatments, while the radial 155R13 and 165R13 options appear as blackwalls in classic European-style tire series.

That difference can shift the car’s visual tone even when the wheel diameter remains the same. Buyers restoring an Elan for a traditional presentation often start with the proper bias-ply size, while those aiming for a more road-oriented sports-car look may prefer the radial format, provided the selected size matches the correct sub-model.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1972 Lotus Elan even when the tire size itself is correct for the sub-model. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height adjustments, or body repairs can all influence how a 13-inch tire sits in the wheel opening and clears during steering movement.

That is especially important on a compact sports car where small dimensional changes can matter more than they would on a larger vehicle. Any Elan with non-original wheels or chassis changes deserves a careful clearance check at full steering lock and through suspension travel before settling on a final tire choice.

Before driving a 1972 Lotus Elan on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct 13-inch diameter and appropriate width, then confirm proper tire pressure and look over the valve stems, wheel condition, and lug hardware. It also helps to verify that the chosen tire size matches the exact sub-model rather than another Elan variant.

A short road test should be preceded by a visual check for fender, spring, and steering clearance, particularly if the car has sat for long periods or has had suspension work. Collector cars also benefit from a second inspection after initial use, watching for any signs of rubbing, air loss, or uneven seating.

Collector-use tires on a 1972 Lotus Elan should be checked regularly for air pressure, sidewall cracking, tread condition, bulges, and any signs of long-term aging. That matters whether the car runs bias-ply or radial tires, because low-use storage can hide deterioration even when tread wear looks minimal.

Storage conditions also make a difference on an older sports car. Keeping the Elan away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and periodic inspections remain important before longer drives since a car that sees limited mileage can still develop age-related tire issues.