The 1979 Lotus Esprit sits firmly in the wedge-shaped sports car era that made late-1970s European performance cars so distinctive, combining sharp styling with a low, purposeful stance. On this Esprit, tire selection matters because fitment can change between the Base setup and the 15 Inch Tire Opt. arrangement, with different front and rear sizes depending on the wheel package. All primary fitments are radial, but the available choices still vary by sidewall treatment, brand, and tire series. That makes the real decision less about whether the Esprit uses radial tires and more about matching the correct front and rear size set to the car’s exact wheel configuration and intended look.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Lotus Esprit
The 1979 Lotus Esprit uses four primary tire sizes across two distinct wheel packages, and the first step is identifying whether the car has the Base 14-inch setup or the 15 Inch Tire Opt. arrangement. This is also a staggered fitment vehicle, so front and rear sizes are different within each package. Confirming both the exact wheel diameter and the front-to-rear configuration is essential before choosing a tire.
195/60R15 is a metric radial size in which 195 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1979 Lotus Esprit, this size belongs to the 15 Inch Tire Opt. front fitment and supports the lower, sport-oriented stance of that wheel package. Available choices include BFGoodrich and Michelin, with blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter sidewall treatments across Silvertown Radial, Radial TA, and Primacy 3 series. This size should be evaluated as the front half of the 15-inch staggered setup rather than as a standalone all-around fitment.
235/60R15 is a metric radial size where 235 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 15 identifies the wheel diameter. On the 1979 Lotus Esprit, this size serves as the rear tire for the 15 Inch Tire Opt. configuration, pairing with a narrower 195/60R15 front. Product choices include blackwall and raised white letter options from M&H Racemaster, Cooper, and BFGoodrich in Drag Radial, Cobra Radial G/T, and Radial TA lines. Selecting this size means confirming the car is using the 15-inch rear wheel setup and checking rear wheel width against the tire’s specifications.
205/60R14 is a metric radial size that uses a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1979 Lotus Esprit, this is the Base front tire size and it works with a different rear size to create the original staggered relationship of the 14-inch package. Because this fitment is front-specific, the main concern is preserving the correct pairing with the matching rear tire size rather than choosing it as a universal replacement for all four corners. Wheel diameter and the actual front wheel setup should be confirmed before selection.
205/70R14 is a metric radial size in which 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter. On the 1979 Lotus Esprit, this size is used at the rear of the Base 14-inch setup and differs in profile from the 205/60R14 front. Available options include Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin, with narrow whitewall, redline, dual-redline, raised white letter, and blackwall presentations in several series. This size matters most to owners keeping the Base wheel package and trying to balance correct rear fitment with the appearance they want.
Sub-model fitment on the 1979 Lotus Esprit depends on the wheel package and axle position, not just the model name alone. The Base setup uses 14-inch front and rear tires, while the 15 Inch Tire Opt. version uses a different staggered pair, so checking the exact configuration is important before ordering.
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1979 Lotus Esprit (15 Inch Tire Opt.) Front
The 15 Inch Tire Opt. front fitment uses a 15-inch radial front tire that is different from both the rear tire and the Base package. That means selection should focus on preserving the proper front-and-rear stagger while choosing among available sidewall styles and tire series.
The 15 Inch Tire Opt. rear fitment uses its own wider 15-inch radial size to complete the staggered arrangement. Tire choice here should be made with the matching front size in mind, along with rear wheel width and the overall look of the finished set.
The Base front fitment uses a 14-inch radial size that differs from the Base rear tire even though both belong to the same wheel package. Choosing for this position means confirming the car still has the Base setup and keeping the intended front-to-rear relationship intact.
The Base rear fitment uses a 14-inch radial rear size with a taller profile than the Base front tire. That makes this a fitment where rear tire selection should support the correct stagger, wheel diameter, and the appearance you want for a period-style Esprit.
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 1979 Lotus Esprit Tires for Sale
Available 1979 Lotus Esprit tire choices span BFGoodrich, Michelin, Cooper, Maxxis, and M&H Racemaster, with differences in tire series and sidewall presentation. Depending on size, the selection includes blackwall, wide or narrow whitewall, redline, dual-redline, and raised white letter radial options.
Common 1979 Lotus Esprit tire questions usually come down to identifying the correct front and rear size pair, confirming 14-inch versus 15-inch wheels, and sorting through sidewall and brand choices within the proper radial fitment.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Lotus Esprit?
The 1979 Lotus Esprit uses staggered radial tire sizes, and the exact combination depends on the wheel package. Base models use 205/60R14 in front and 205/70R14 in the rear, while the 15 Inch Tire Opt. setup uses 195/60R15 in front and 235/60R15 in the rear. There is not one single all-around size for every 1979 Esprit.
The key is confirming both wheel diameter and axle position before choosing tires. A front size should stay with its matching rear companion size for the same package, and a 14-inch setup should not be mixed casually with a 15-inch package. If the car has had wheel changes over the years, inspect the actual wheels on the car rather than relying on assumption.
What size rim does a 1979 Lotus Esprit use?
A 1979 Lotus Esprit uses either 14-inch or 15-inch rims, depending on its configuration. The Base setup uses 14-inch front and rear wheels with different tire profiles, while the 15 Inch Tire Opt. arrangement uses 15-inch front and rear wheels with a different staggered size pair. Rim diameter is tied directly to the tire size being used.
Checking rim diameter is the first fitment step because none of these tires cross over between 14-inch and 15-inch wheels. It also helps to verify wheel width against the tire you are considering, especially on the rear where the wider fitments place more emphasis on proper wheel compatibility. Cars with replacement wheels should always be measured directly.
Why does the 1979 Lotus Esprit have more than one tire size?
The 1979 Lotus Esprit has more than one tire size because it uses staggered fitment, meaning the front and rear tires are not the same, and it was also offered with more than one wheel package. The Base arrangement uses 14-inch front and rear tires in different profiles, while the 15 Inch Tire Opt. setup uses a different front-and-rear pair on 15-inch wheels.
That makes tire selection a configuration question rather than a simple year-make-model lookup. The owner should first identify whether the car has the Base 14-inch setup or the 15-inch option, then confirm which tires belong on the front and rear. This matters for wheel compatibility, appearance, and maintaining the intended stance of the car.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1979 Lotus Esprit tire?
Start with the exact front and rear size pair that matches the car’s wheel package. A 1979 Lotus Esprit is not a one-size-fits-all application, so the correct choice depends on whether the car has the Base 14-inch arrangement or the 15 Inch Tire Opt. setup, and whether you are selecting for the front or rear axle.
Once the size is confirmed, compare construction, wheel-width compatibility, sidewall style, and the tire’s overall character. Some owners want a clean blackwall presentation, while others prefer redline, whitewall, or raised white letter styling. A road-oriented radial, a classic-look radial, and a specialty rear tire can serve very different goals even when the size matches.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Lotus Esprit tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1979 Lotus Esprit include blackwall, wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, redline, dual-redline, and raised white letter styles, depending on the tire size. Not every treatment is available in every fitment, so the sidewall options will vary between the 14-inch Base sizes and the 15-inch tire option sizes.
That gives the car a wide visual range, from a more restrained blackwall look to a stronger period-style presentation. The best approach is to choose the correct size first, then decide whether appearance should lean more sporting, more classic, or more restoration-oriented. Front and rear sidewalls should also be considered together so the finished set looks intentional.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Lotus Esprit?
Tires for the 1979 Lotus Esprit are available from BFGoodrich, Michelin, Cooper, Maxxis, and M&H Racemaster, depending on the size. The brand selection changes across the four primary fitments, so a front tire may offer a different set of choices than the matching rear, especially between the 14-inch and 15-inch configurations.
Brand choice is only one part of the decision. It should be weighed alongside the correct front or rear size, wheel-width suitability, tire series, sidewall presentation, and how the car will be used. A buyer choosing a matched appearance across the car may also need to compare which brands offer complementary options for both ends of the staggered setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Lotus Esprit?
A period-style 1979 Lotus Esprit tire choice starts with preserving the correct wheel package and staggered sizing. Base cars use 205/60R14 front and 205/70R14 rear, while the 15 Inch Tire Opt. setup uses 195/60R15 front and 235/60R15 rear. Once that foundation is right, the appearance can be tailored through blackwall, redline, whitewall, or raised white letter options where available.
The right visual direction depends on whether the goal is a restrained European sports-car look or a more expressive vintage presentation. Exact originality questions, especially around sidewall treatment, are best checked against marque literature, period photography, or owner-club references. Tire size and front-to-rear relationship should still come first before appearance decisions are made.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1979 Lotus Esprit?
Tire construction is straightforward on a 1979 Lotus Esprit because all primary fitments are radial, so the appearance difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial and more from sidewall style and tire series. A blackwall radial gives the cleanest visual treatment, while redline, dual-redline, whitewall, or raised white letter designs create a stronger period-style statement.
That makes size accuracy especially important during restoration, since the Esprit’s low, angular shape depends heavily on proper front and rear proportions. A tire that matches the correct configuration but carries the wrong visual character can change the finished look noticeably. Choosing by both fitment and presentation usually produces the most convincing restored result.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Lotus Esprit?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1979 Lotus Esprit. Wheel changes, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body modifications can all change how a tire sits within the wheel opening and how much clearance remains at full steering lock or under compression. That matters even when the tire size itself is correct for the original configuration.
The safest approach is to verify the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, then check front and rear clearance separately. A staggered Esprit setup leaves less room for guesswork than a square fitment vehicle. Owners should also inspect for signs of rubbing on suspension components, inner fenders, or body edges before committing to a replacement set.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Lotus Esprit on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 Lotus Esprit on new tires, inspect wheel condition, verify that the front and rear sizes are mounted in the correct positions, and confirm inflation pressures appropriate for the tire being used. It is also wise to look over valve stems, check that the beads are seated properly, and make sure there is no interference at the wheel wells.
A short road test should be followed by another inspection for clearance, air loss, or unusual contact marks. Collector cars can also reveal issues in surrounding components, so steering, alignment, shocks, and suspension bushings deserve attention if the car has been sitting. Proper fitment is only part of the equation; the rest of the chassis needs to be ready as well.
How should tires on a collector 1979 Lotus Esprit be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1979 Lotus Esprit should be checked regularly for air pressure, tread condition, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of age-related hardening. Because many collector cars are driven infrequently, condition can change from time and storage exposure as much as from mileage. Front and rear tires should also be watched separately because the car uses staggered sizing.
Good storage habits help preserve the tires between drives. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources can reduce premature deterioration, and periodic movement can help avoid long-term flat spotting. Before any longer trip, inspect the tires closely and verify that the car still has the same wheel setup the current tire sizes were chosen for.
