hi guys, I’m sure this is on the site already, but I couldn’t find a definitive answer.
I have a 1965 Elan with original body/wheel arches and at the moment the original steel wheels.
I’ve been in touch with Revolution for some 4 spoke knock on wheels, the reply I got was that they may not fit.
Does anybody know for certain if they do or don’t, and what tyre sizes I would need (I’m guessing 155/70 13?)
the part number on the website is Part No - RVA985KOBHR - 5 inch wheel
If anyone could shed any light on this for me it would be much appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.
It’s a lovely wheel.
The S2 was fitted with 145 x 13 tyres.
The longstone site says that a 5" rim will work with an XAS FF 145 x 13 tyre. You’ll perhaps hear from those that have tried a 155 on an S2 shell, but I think it will be too tight. I have 155s on an S4 shell, and that is close.
You have the offset of the Revolution wheels, you need to measure and calculate the offset of the 4.5J steelies you have.
I know a different wheel but i have Minilite 5 J on my Sprint with 100mm back space .
They fit ok but very close to back Wishbone bolt heads. Tyres 155/80 x 13.
Alan
Good price, but just missing the mounting collar that goes between the wheel and the spinner. And maybe also a collar on the back of the wheel ? Not sure.
Jeremy, Have you reached a conclusion yet? I’m restoring a S3 S/E and very much like the Revolution wheel. I’ve just recently placed the body back on the chassis and soon will be at the point where I can attempt some clearance measurements with the original steel wheels. My wheel arches are returned to their original configuration. As I’m in the States I’d like to be reasonably sure they fit before the purchase.
I’ve been told by Kelvedon that the revolution 5.0 x 13 wheels fit the s2, I believe there is more room on the s3 & s4. I guess you need to check the width of the wheel you want as they do a few sizes.
I spoke to revolution and tried to order some full yblack 4 spokes, but they only supply them with the diamond cut edge, ie bare metal.
As I want them completely black I’m still thinking about what to do, I guess i could buy them and have them sprayed, but need to look into costs.
When restoring my stock '68 s4se I attempted to fit a variety of alloy wheels (in order to preserve the original steel ones when using sticky tires), including vintage Revolutions (with the additional issue of hub extenders), and eventually settled on the only option I came across that (barely) fits : 4"1/2 Dunlops…
Please post photos of your wheels and comment your experience when you’re done.
My experience is that the Revolutions will not work for an S2/S3 car.
I like Revolutions, like the company, and have had some custom wheels made up by them for an Arkley-bodied Sprite I had. I then ordered those knock off Elan wheels for my S3 coupe. Not even remotely close, the offset is way off. I believe they are intended for 26R race car setups. In the end I sold them to my friend Victor who is running them on his flared Elan, on which they just fit. And look fantastic, of course.
I talked to Revolution about making some that would work for my car but in the end they indicated that the offset needed was such that they just wouldn’t work on that wheel.design, for which the spoke configuration won’t allow for big negative offsets.
I may have some of these details slightly wrong, I could check my emails with them, but this is my quick recollection.
Jeremy, Russ,
I have the Revolution 4 spoke 5.0x13 rims with 155 tyres installed on my '66 S3 Coupe. But making them fit under the original wheel arches required some modifications.
At front and rear I had to reduce the width of the wheel arch flanges to approx. 10mm where required.
Installed the tubular front wishbones from Spydercars, the upper ones adjustable. A bit of negative camber gave the needed clearance.
Rear was more difficult, and only possible due to rear struts with small outer diameter springs.
These allowed moving the upper strut attachment points inwards. Some metal work to chassis and Lotocone flanges was required.
This resulted in approx. 1.5° negative camber and sufficient clearance to the inner wheel arches.
As I mainly use my car on trackdays, the negative camber at front and rear improved grip and tyre wear. However, these camber settings may not be desireable for an original street car. With the smaller diameter 155/65R13 Nankang NS-2R tyres, the look of my car became a bit bold… not for the purist.
Regards, Johannes
