Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I've no doubt that since 2003 we have discussed this more than once(!). We all know that the original wheels fitted to cars after about the S2 were of Chapmanesque quality, i.e. as cheap as possible. Back in '75 I threw a crappy plastic (un)signed standard wheel from my '68S4SE into the bin and fitted a lovely Moto-Lita REAL leather wheel.
Over the years I've had a number of aftermarket wheels but keep coming back to Moto-Lita.
My current Sprint, which I bought 16 years ago, came with a rather lovely period 13" wood-rim Moto-Lita, however, I've felt a need to drive this with gloves, rather than bare hands, so today I fitted a 12" red leather Moto-Lita. I seriously considered paying a lot more money for a TT repro item but, hey, I already had the Moto boss and centre cap. It feels great, OK I can't see all the dials without moving my head slightly, so what- my head still moves.

Guess what- while I was in the garage for half an hour fitting it, the weather turned from blue skies to absolutely pissing down, so I'm back to sitting in the car making those pathetic brrrrmm-brrrmm noises just like I did in 1975.


btw; my other car languishes with a signed Chapman wheel until such time as I can get my lardy in gear and get it on the road!

Your steering wheel stories... please.

Pics please!

Being a Plus2 man,only one car but three s/wheels,all 15"...all "signed".

the original CC signed



Unique wooden CC " signed" to match the dash



Unique 4" dish ???



John

elansprint71 wrote:
btw; my other car languishes with a signed Chapman wheel until such time as I can get my lardy in gear and get it on the road!

Your steering wheel stories... please.

Pete,

My only Elan (without a signed wheel) languishes too!

Here is its 'pristine' Mota Lita which was on when I bought the car in '75. It was a bit shinier then....

Being a man of experience (I`ve even experienced Pete in real life); I have the Colin Chapman steering wheel on the Sprint and a 13" Motolita on the S3. The original is too thin but I want to stay with the factory spec. The Motolita is thicker, smaller and lovely and weights up the steering nicely. It`s far "better".
Jim

A man with experience meets a man with money. The man with the experience leaves with the money, the other man leaves with the experience.

Elansprint71,
I'd like to see a pic of your red leather motolita wheel!

john.p.clegg wrote:Being a Plus2 man,only one car but three s/wheels,all 15"...all "signed".
Unique wooden CC " signed" to match the dash
John

How did you do that signature wheel John ?

Brian

A piece of masking tape placed over the original,trace with fine pen,apply to blank spoke,with a steady hand and a fine tip on the dremmel...voila

Practice on a piece of scrap first...

John

The twenty-pound notes are coming on fine...

That's a neat idea of getting the right scale with masking tape. It's raining over here this morning so I might give it a shot with a bit of ali, if nothing else it will keep me out from under the missus's feet for an hour .

I had tried photographing and creating a clear transfer for the unsigned wheel on the Europa, but it looked wrong because you could see the edges. Ok from 6 foot away, not so good close up. Never thought of masking tape though....

Hi,
My local key cutting shops engraving machine can be programmed by a photograph !!!!
Ron.

The problem might arise trying to bolt the s/wheel to the engraver??

John

Where abouts is that please as I'd like to get my replacement Chassis plate (currently not fitted) to match the quite stylish hand engraving on the rather tatty original? I'm also on the South Coast of the UK, about in the middle.

Hi,
John, anyone wanting to forge a wheel would have this done prior to assembly, how demountable are the spokes are on an original. ?where there?s a will there?s a way.?
Elanman88, I think you will find almost any engraver has this facility, Digital Photo on SD card.
Your requirement is exactly my original enquiry but have not had this done yet as still looking for a high quality repro Cheshunt Plate, not the cheapo screen printed type.
Ron.

Thanks, I'll investigate. My repro Chassis plate is a Hethel plate, appropriate to the car but seems very similar quality to the original, just better condition. Don't remember where it came from, as I've probably had it 30 years or more.

Slightly dodgy colour rendering due to LED light source in dark garage. 12" wheel.



The 13" wheel which came with the car.