The 1987 Lotus Esprit sits in the later evolution of Lotus’s wedge-shaped mid-engine sports car, a design that remained sharply distinctive well into the 1980s. Whether in S3 or Turbo form, this Esprit combines low-slung styling with a staggered tire setup that plays an important role in both stance and handling balance. The front uses 195/60R15 radials, while the rear uses 235/60R15 radials, both on 15-inch rims. Available choices range from blackwall and raised white letter styles to redline and wide whitewall treatments, depending on size. The key is matching the correct front and rear fitment while choosing a look and tire character that suits the car’s intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Lotus Esprit
The 1987 Lotus Esprit uses two primary tire sizes, and the first step is identifying where each one belongs on the car. Both S3 and Turbo versions use the same staggered 15-inch radial setup, with 195/60R15 at the front and 235/60R15 at the rear. That means the real decision is not between two interchangeable sizes, but between front and rear fitment and the available tire styles, brands, and product types within each size.
195/60R15 is a metric radial size in which 195 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 Lotus Esprit, this size is used at the front, where maintaining the correct tire position is important to the car’s overall balance. Available choices include BFGoodrich and Michelin products, with sidewall styles such as wide whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and blackwall across Silvertown Radial, Radial TA, and Michelin Primacy 3 lines. This size should be evaluated as a front fitment, with wheel width and intended appearance both worth confirming before selection.
235/60R15 is a metric radial size in which 235 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 15 designates the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 Lotus Esprit, this size is used at the rear, making it part of the car’s staggered front-to-rear tire arrangement rather than an all-around substitute. Rear tire choices include BFGoodrich, Cooper, and M&H Racemaster options, with blackwall and raised white letter presentations across series such as Radial TA, Cobra Radial G/T, and Drag Radial. Choosing this size means confirming rear wheel compatibility and selecting a tire that suits either street presentation or a more specialized use.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1987 Lotus Esprit sub-models because both S3 and Turbo versions use the same front and rear tire sizes. Checking the exact position on the car still matters, since the front and rear sizes are different and are not meant to be chosen interchangeably.
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1987 Lotus Esprit S3 Front
The 1987 Lotus Esprit S3 Front uses the front portion of the staggered radial setup, centered on the 195/60R15 size. Tire selection here comes down to choosing the right front-position fitment along with the sidewall style, brand, and overall presentation that best suits the car.
The 1987 Lotus Esprit S3 Rear uses the wider 235/60R15 radial at the back of the car. That makes rear wheel compatibility and intended use especially important, whether the goal is a traditional raised white letter look or a more specialized rear-tire choice.
The 1987 Lotus Esprit Turbo Front uses the same 195/60R15 radial size as the S3 front fitment. The main consideration is choosing a front tire that matches the correct wheel width and desired appearance without confusing it with the wider rear size.
The 1987 Lotus Esprit Turbo Rear uses the 235/60R15 radial size at the rear. Selecting the correct rear tire means paying attention to wheel width, sidewall style, and whether the car is being equipped for street-oriented driving or a more specialized application.
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 1987 Lotus Esprit Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Lotus Esprit tire choices span front 195/60R15 and rear 235/60R15 radials from BFGoodrich, Michelin, Cooper, and M&H Racemaster. The product grid is where to compare sidewall style, tire series, radial construction details, and rim-width compatibility within the correct front or rear size.
Common 1987 Lotus Esprit tire questions usually center on the staggered front and rear sizes, 15-inch rim fitment, available radial choices, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a low-use collector sports car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Lotus Esprit?
The 1987 Lotus Esprit uses a staggered radial tire setup with 195/60R15 on the front and 235/60R15 on the rear. Both the S3 and Turbo versions use those same two primary sizes, so the basic fitment pattern stays consistent across the covered sub-models.
The important point is that these are position-specific sizes, not two interchangeable options for the same wheel location. A buyer should confirm whether the tire is being selected for the front or rear, then check the actual wheel width and current vehicle setup if the car has been modified since its original 15-inch configuration.
What size rim does a 1987 Lotus Esprit use?
The primary tire fitments for the 1987 Lotus Esprit are built around a 15-inch rim diameter. Both 195/60R15 and 235/60R15 are 15-inch radial sizes, so front and rear fitment share the same rim diameter even though the tire widths differ.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture on an Esprit. Front and rear wheel widths may differ, and available tires also carry their own rim-width compatibility ranges, so it is worth checking the actual wheels on the car before choosing a tire, especially if aftermarket wheels or prior restoration changes are involved.
Do all 1987 Lotus Esprit sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1987 Lotus Esprit sub-models share the same overall tire arrangement, but not a single all-around size. Both S3 and Turbo versions use 195/60R15 on the front and 235/60R15 on the rear, so the fitment is consistent by model but staggered by axle position.
That means the real check is not S3 versus Turbo so much as front versus rear. Anyone replacing tires should verify the wheel location first, then confirm that the car still has the proper 15-inch wheel setup and enough clearance for the selected tire, particularly if suspension height or wheel specifications have changed over time.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 195/60R15 or 235/60R15 tire for a 1987 Lotus Esprit?
Start with the correct position-specific size, since the 1987 Lotus Esprit uses 195/60R15 in front and 235/60R15 in the rear. From there, the most useful comparisons are radial construction details, rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, brand, tire series, and whether the tire suits street use or a more specialized purpose.
A low, mid-engine car like the Esprit benefits from keeping the staggered setup correct, so appearance should not be the only factor. It helps to compare the actual wheels on the car, decide whether the goal is a blackwall, raised white letter, redline, or whitewall presentation, and avoid mixing front and rear choices without checking compatibility first.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Lotus Esprit tires?
Available sidewall styles for 1987 Lotus Esprit tires include blackwall, raised white letter, redline, and wide whitewall, depending on whether the tire is for the 195/60R15 front or the 235/60R15 rear size. Those choices create very different visual effects even when the tire size itself remains correct.
A buyer focused on a more contemporary sports-car look may lean toward blackwall or raised white letter options, while redline or wide whitewall choices create a more custom or period-inspired presentation. The key is making sure the preferred sidewall treatment is offered in the correct front or rear size rather than assuming one style is available across the full setup.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Lotus Esprit?
Tires for the 1987 Lotus Esprit are available from BFGoodrich, Michelin, Cooper, and M&H Racemaster across the applicable front and rear sizes. BFGoodrich appears in both front and rear fitments, while Michelin is offered in the 195/60R15 front size and Cooper and M&H Racemaster appear in the 235/60R15 rear size.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the tire’s intended role rather than in isolation. Some options emphasize a traditional raised white letter appearance, some present a clean blackwall look, and some are tied to more specialized tire categories, so comparing size, wheel compatibility, and the character of the tire matters more than simply choosing a familiar name.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Lotus Esprit?
A period-style 1987 Lotus Esprit tire choice starts with keeping the correct staggered radial sizing: 195/60R15 in front and 235/60R15 in the rear. After that, the visual character comes from the available tire series and sidewall treatment, with options that range from understated blackwall to more expressive raised white letter, redline, or wide whitewall styling.
The best appearance choice depends on whether the car is being preserved in a more restrained 1980s sports-car presentation or given a more personalized collector look. Anyone chasing exact historical authenticity should compare tire details against marque references or restoration records, since a correct size alone does not establish that a specific sidewall treatment matches the car’s original delivery.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Lotus Esprit?
On a restored 1987 Lotus Esprit, tire construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial sizes front and rear. That keeps the visual discussion centered less on bias-ply versus radial shape and more on how each radial tire is presented through sidewall style, tread character, and the overall stance created by the staggered setup.
Appearance can shift noticeably depending on whether the car wears blackwalls, raised white letters, or a more stylized sidewall treatment. Since the Esprit has such a low, graphic body profile, maintaining the proper front and rear size relationship matters just as much as sidewall design when the goal is a balanced restoration-oriented presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Lotus Esprit?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Lotus Esprit even when the nominal tire size appears correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension lowering, replacement springs, or bodywork revisions can influence how a 195/60R15 front or 235/60R15 rear tire sits and clears the car.
A staggered sports-car setup leaves less room for assumption than a square tire arrangement. Anyone working with a modified Esprit should confirm wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at steering lock and through suspension travel before finalizing a tire choice, rather than relying only on the size stamped on the sidewall.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Lotus Esprit on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Lotus Esprit on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the front and rear tires are installed in the correct positions, and check that inflation is appropriate for the tire being used. It is also wise to look over valve stems, lug hardware, and basic alignment condition before road use.
A careful walkaround should also include checking for body, suspension, or steering interference once the car is on the ground. Because collector vehicles may sit for long periods, a short initial drive followed by a second inspection for air loss, rubbing, or unusual wear patterns is a smart way to catch setup problems early.
How should tires on a collector 1987 Lotus Esprit be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1987 Lotus Esprit should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and attention to age-related condition even if tread wear is minimal. Sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and gradual air loss all matter on a low-use car that may spend long periods parked.
Storage habits make a difference as well. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the vehicle occasionally can reduce long-term flat spotting. Before any longer drive, it is worth inspecting both the narrower front tires and wider rear tires separately rather than treating the setup as uniform.
