Did the Jaguar Mk2 come with wire wheels?

Wire wheels were a popular factory option on the 15-inch Mk2; pressed-steel wheels with hubcaps were standard, and a bolt-on wire-wheel conversion is available for steel-wheel cars.

Should I fit radial tyres to a Mk2?

Yes — modern radial tyres give a big improvement in grip and wet-weather safety over original crossplies, and are available in period-correct sizes.

What wheels give the Coombs look?

Slightly wider (5.5–6 inch) wire wheels, often with painted centres, combined with the Coombs-style flared rear arches, give the fast-road competition stance.

Do wider wheels need arch modifications?

Wider wheels and tyres can foul the arches, so check clearance; the Coombs-style flared rear wheelarches were created partly to clear wider wheels.

Upgrade guide

Wheels & Tyres

By Jon Cosson — classic-car owner, North Yorkshire, near Thornton-le-Dale

Chrome wire-spoke wheel with a blackwall radial tyre under the slightly flared rear arch of a dark green classic saloon — Placeholder image — owner to replace with a photograph of the car's own wheels and tyres.

Few changes alter a Mk2's character — and stance — as much as its wheels and tyres. The choices run from concours-correct to fast-road, and they matter for grip as well as looks.

Steel or wire?

Mk2s left the factory on 15-inch wheels, with pressed-steel wheels (and hubcaps) standard and wire wheels a popular option. Wire wheels transform the look and are the classic Mk2 image, but need splined hubs (a bolt-on conversion is available) and periodic truing and spoke checks. Painted or chromed steels are the alternative.

Wider rims and the Coombs look

Standard rims are narrow by modern eyes. Fast-road cars often fit slightly wider wire wheels (5.5 or 6 inches, and painted-centre "Coombs-style" wheels) which, with the Coombs-style flared rear arches, give the purposeful competition stance. Going wider needs care over arch clearance.

Tyres

Modern radial tyres are the single biggest handling improvement over the original crossplies — more grip, better wet weather and more predictable behaviour — while still available in period-correct sizes and profiles.

Balance and feel

Wider, grippier tyres load the steering more (another argument for power steering), and the right combination is what makes an uprated Mk2 feel planted rather than nervous — see the suspension & handling guide.

On our car

873 EUT runs 6.5-inch MWS wire wheels under Coombs-style rear arches — grip and stance to match the fast-road build. The full specification is in The Build: 873 EUT.

Common questions

Did the Jaguar Mk2 come with wire wheels?: Wire wheels were a popular factory option on the 15-inch Mk2; pressed-steel wheels with hubcaps were standard, and a bolt-on wire-wheel conversion is available for steel-wheel cars.
Should I fit radial tyres to a Mk2?: Yes — modern radial tyres give a big improvement in grip and wet-weather safety over original crossplies, and are available in period-correct sizes.
What wheels give the Coombs look?: Slightly wider (5.5–6 inch) wire wheels, often with painted centres, combined with the Coombs-style flared rear arches, give the fast-road competition stance.
Do wider wheels need arch modifications?: Wider wheels and tyres can foul the arches, so check clearance; the Coombs-style flared rear wheelarches were created partly to clear wider wheels.