1973 Lotus Elan Tires

A 1973 Lotus Elan does not use one universal tire size across every version. Base and Sprint models use either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply sizing, while the Plus 2 uses either 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply sizing. All of these fitments are built around a 13-inch rim diameter.

The practical step is identifying the exact Elan sub-model before choosing a tire. After that, decide whether the car should remain with its primary construction type or move from a bias-ply size to one of its radial equivalents, while also confirming the actual wheel width and overall clearance on the car as it sits today.

The 1973 Lotus Elan uses 13-inch rims across its supported tire sizes. That applies whether the car is fitted with 155R13, 560-13, 165R13, or 600-13, so the key difference is not rim diameter but the exact tire size and construction associated with the sub-model.

Rim diameter alone is only part of the fitment picture. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing bias-ply tires with radial alternatives, so it helps to verify the actual wheel dimensions on the car before selecting a tire. That is particularly important on cars that may have been changed from their original wheel setup over time.

No. The 1973 Lotus Elan Base and Sprint share the same sizing pattern, using either 155R13 radial or 560-13 bias-ply tires, while the 1973 Lotus Elan Plus 2 uses either 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply tires. All of them are 13-inch fitments, but the sizes are not the same across the line.

That difference means tire shopping should begin with the sub-model name rather than the model name alone. A Plus 2 owner should stay within Plus 2 sizing, and Base or Sprint owners should stay within their own fitment range before comparing tread style, sidewall appearance, or the possibility of using a radial equivalent in place of a bias-ply size.

560-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size for the 1973 Lotus Elan, used on Base and Sprint applications. It shares the 13-inch rim diameter with the radial option but follows an older sizing convention and construction style, which is why it appears alongside 155R13 rather than matching that radial format directly.

That matters because a buyer choosing 560-13 is usually balancing traditional appearance against the option of moving to a radial equivalent. Whitewall styling is available in this size, which can be important for a restoration-oriented presentation, but wheel width, overall dimensions, and vehicle clearance still deserve a check before changing construction from the tire setup currently on the car.

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 categories.

Those equivalent sizes provide useful alternatives while keeping the car on a 13-inch rim, but they should not be treated as automatic substitutions. The recommended rim-width range for the bias-ply equivalent conversions is 4 to 5 inches, so the wheel itself should be measured and the vehicle checked for clearance before choosing among the metric and P-metric radial options.

Start by confirming the correct original bias-ply size for the sub-model and then matching it to the proper radial equivalent. A Base or Sprint using 560-13 can be compared with 155R13, P155/75R13, or P155/70R13, while a Plus 2 using 600-13 can be compared with 165R13, P165/75R13, or P175/70R13.

The next checks are wheel width, tire clearance, and the car’s current suspension and alignment condition. Radial equivalents keep the same 13-inch rim diameter, but the wheel still needs to suit the tire, and any modified ride height, replacement wheels, or worn suspension components can affect how successfully the new construction works on the car.

The first consideration is the exact sub-model, because Base and Sprint sizes differ from Plus 2 sizes. The second is construction choice: radial and bias-ply options are both present, so the decision may involve preserving a traditional presentation or selecting a radial format that matches the car’s intended road use and visual character.

After size and construction are settled, compare details that affect both fitment and appearance. Those include brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width compatibility, especially if the car no longer wears its original wheels. A thoughtful choice on an Elan is usually the one that respects the correct proportions first and then supports the way the car will actually be used.

Sidewall style depends on the tire size and construction you choose. The radial offerings for the 1973 Lotus Elan are blackwall tires, while the bias-ply choices include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments in the applicable 560-13 and 600-13 sizes.

That makes sidewall style an appearance decision tied closely to construction. A blackwall radial tends to suit a more understated sports-car presentation, while narrow or wide whitewalls push the look in a more traditional direction. The important point is to choose the sidewall only after confirming the correct size for the sub-model, rather than selecting by appearance alone.

Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Firestone all appear in 1973 Lotus Elan fitments. Michelin and Dunlop cover the radial side in 155R13 and 165R13 applications, while BFGoodrich and Firestone appear in the bias-ply 560-13 and 600-13 sizes with whitewall-oriented offerings.

Brand choice should come after the correct size and construction have been narrowed down. Once that is done, compare the available tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width suitability within the proper fitment instead of assuming every brand offers the same presentation. On a compact specialty car like the Elan, the right proportions matter at least as much as the name on the sidewall.

A period-style 1973 Lotus Elan choice usually starts with the correct primary size for the sub-model and then a decision between radial and bias-ply construction. Base and Sprint owners would look at 155R13 or 560-13, while Plus 2 owners would focus on 165R13 or 600-13, depending on the presentation they want to preserve.

Bias-ply whitewall tires create the most traditional visual shift among the available options, while blackwall radials keep the car in a more understated sports-car direction. When strict originality matters, the smartest next step is to compare your car against period photos, marque-club references, or restoration records rather than assuming any available sidewall treatment is automatically exact for the car.

Tire construction changes both the look and the overall impression of a restored 1973 Lotus Elan. The available radials are blackwall metric tires, while the bias-ply choices in 560-13 and 600-13 include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles that create a more traditional sidewall presentation.

That means the construction decision is not only about road feel but also about how the car reads visually at a glance. A buyer aiming for a restoration-oriented look may lean toward the bias-ply format, while someone wanting a cleaner blackwall appearance may stay with radial sizing. Either way, keeping the choice aligned with the correct sub-model fitment is what preserves the car’s proportions.

Yes. Even when the correct 1973 Lotus Elan tire size has been selected, aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, ride-height adjustments, or body modifications can change how that tire fits on the car. That is especially relevant when switching between bias-ply sizes and radial equivalents on the same 13-inch rim diameter.

A car that has been lowered, widened, or refitted with different wheels should be checked for steering clearance and fender space before finalizing the tire choice. The sub-model still determines the proper size range, but modifications can affect whether the actual wheel and chassis setup remain compatible with the tire you are considering.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, verify proper tire installation, and make sure the tires clear the body and suspension through steering travel. It also helps to check valve stems, confirm inflation pressure, and look over the suspension and steering components for looseness or wear that could affect how the car behaves.

An older lightweight sports car can feel very sensitive to tire and chassis condition, so the inspection should go beyond the rubber alone. A short, careful initial drive is a good way to confirm there is no rubbing, vibration, or unusual pull. Catching those issues early is especially useful after changing size format or construction type.

Tires on a collector 1973 Lotus Elan should be checked regularly for air loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, and bulges, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low-mileage collector cars often age their tires by time and storage conditions rather than distance, so visual inspection matters just as much as tread depth.

Storage habits also make a difference. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the rubber, and maintaining proper inflation reduces stress on the tire casing while the car sits. Before a seasonal return to the road, inspect each tire closely and confirm that the wheel and tire combination still suits the car’s current setup.