Lotus Europa Community

Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Jerryh on Sunday,April 30, 2017, 07:20:00 AM

Title: Early S1 Steering Wheel measurement
Post by: Jerryh on Sunday,April 30, 2017, 07:20:00 AM

Hi
I understand the very early S1 steering wheels have different size spoke holes, can anyone tell me the size of the spoke holes please.
Any help would be most appreciated.
Cheers
Jerry

Title: Re: Early S1 Steering Wheel measurement
Post by: Lotus 47 on Wednesday,May 03, 2017, 08:29:12 PM

Hi Jerry,

I am keen to know where you heard about the different steering wheels. I have an early S1 460047 - May 1967 (wrong wheel when I got it), and one of the earliest 47 - chassis 47-GT-3 built late 1966.

I watch Serge Sleurs video and the early S1 wheel apparently has large holes. It would be nice to get confirmation from a few more early cars.

The wheel of the 47 (see below) looks the same as the Europa wheels, but it is likely NOT to be the original.

Interesting stuff!

Richard Mann

Title: Re: Early S1 Steering Wheel measurement
Post by: Lotus 47 on Wednesday,May 03, 2017, 08:39:36 PM

I checked a few early car photos and it appears to true that the early S1 had bigger holes.

You will see on 460089 there are 4 holes - the 4th hole is covered up usually

Very interesting!!!

Title: Re: Early S1 Steering Wheel measurement
Post by: EuropaTC on Wednesday,May 03, 2017, 09:43:15 PM

I can't add anything definite but it might be worth doing a google image search for PD Springall Ltd and Springalex steering wheels. They supplied wheels to both manufacturers and after market in the 60s/70s and IIRC supplied wheels for Lotus. They did the Elan wheel variations plus some Lotus racing cars, so it seems reasonable the same company would have offered wheels for the Europa.

Brian

Title: Re: Early S1 Steering Wheel measurement
Post by: Serge on Wednesday,May 03, 2017, 10:36:44 PM

I'll measure my original S1 steering wheel when I get to my workshop next weekend.

Serge

Title: Re: Early S1 Steering Wheel measurement
Post by: Serge on Friday,May 05, 2017, 11:40:26 AM

The holes in the spokes are: 21mm - 18mm - 13mm - 10mm

With the smallest one covered up about 4/5

Title: Re: Early S1 Steering Wheel measurement
Post by: Jerryh on Friday,May 05, 2017, 12:30:34 PM

Many thanks for the replies

Jerry

Title: Re: Early S1 Steering Wheel measurement
Post by: jbcollier on Friday,May 05, 2017, 02:45:56 PM

Later S1 steering wheel 16.5mm - 15mm - 13mm - 11mm

Title: Re: Early S1 Steering Wheel measurement
Post by: Serge on Friday,May 05, 2017, 10:57:52 PM

My steering wheel, comes from a Swedisch S1, not sure of the chassisnr, could be a bit later than my very early car.

Serge