Early S1 Steering Wheel measurement

[Jerryh]

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

[Lotus 47]

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

[Lotus 47]

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!!!

[EuropaTC]

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

[Serge]

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

Serge

[Serge]

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

With the smallest one covered up about 4/5

[Jerryh]

Many thanks for the replies

Jerry

[jbcollier]

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

[Serge]

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

Serge