Lotus - Lotus 7
The first Lotus Seven (also called Lotus 7) was powered by the side valve Ford 1172 engine, and was an instant success with it's extremely light weight and good performance. Later the cars were offered with a Coventry Climax or A series Austin. The lotus Seven was produced in many variations until 1973 when the rights to the manufacturing were sold to the Lotus agent, Caterham Cars. Caterham carried on building the Lotus Seven Series 3 and developed and evolved the Seven as the years went on.
Due to the length of time the Lotus7 was made, there were many sizes of tyres used and listed below are some of the tyre sizes used by Lotus, and other similar sizes we are also asked for:
The original Lotus 7 had 15" wheels up to 1961, and 13" wheels thereafter starting in 1961. With the earlier cars (known as the Lotus 7 Series 1) fitted originally with 5.20x15 tyres, you can now use the radial equivalent 155HR5 tyre all round, while some people like to fit the slightly larger 165VR15 size to the rear axle. For 1961 when the Lotus7 was fitted with smaller 13" wheels on the Series 2, the correct tyre size was 145R13, while the later Lotus7 Series 3 and Series 4 were fitted with the larger 165R13 tyre size. Another useful tyre size available that customers often ask for is our wider version of the 165R13 size which is the Blockley 185/70VR13, but nothing fatter than the 165HR13 Blockley is required for the Lotus7. Blockley also produces a 175/70VR13 tyre which we have been asked for. Find at the links below all the tyre sizes suitable for the Lotus Seven, Series 1,2,3 and 4:
