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The unforgettable Lotus 23 - mid-engined sports car with almost no competition

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Created on January 1, 1987

Reading time 4min

Written by:

Rob de la Rive Box

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

Bruno von Rotz

Balz Schreier

James Boone

Archiv

Daniel Reinhard

Bruno von Rotz

Balz Schreier

James Boone

Archiv

Lotus 23B (1963) - AVD Oldtimer Grand Prix 2010

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Lotus 23 (1962) - beherzt bewegter Lotus-Sportwagen

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Lotus 23 (1962) - Rob Huber am Steuer des flachen Sportwagens

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Lotus 23 (1963) - beim Rennen von Innsbruck im Jahre 1963 - Sieger F. Baumann

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Lotus 23 (1962) - Einsatz bei einem Bergrennen in der Schweiz

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Lotus 23B (1964) - Blick auf den neuen Motor mit zwei obenliegenden Nockenwellen

Bild von Partner Planai Classic 2025 Inline 1

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Lotus 23 (1962) - in Le Mans 1962 wurde der kleine Sportwagen nicht zum Start zugelassen

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Lotus 23 (1964) - im Grenzbereich beim Goodwood Revival von 2011

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Lotus 23 (1965) - am Solitude Revival 2011

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Lotus 23 B (1963) - World Sportscar Masters am AVD OGP 2011

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Lotus 23 B (1964) - World Sportscar Masters am AVD OGP 2011

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Lotus 23 (1963) - am AvD Oldtimer GP im Jahr 2010

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Lotus 23 (1964) - am AvD Oldtimer GP im Jahr 2010

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Lotus 23 (1964) - auf Abwegen beim Goodwood Revival 2011

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Lotus 23 B (1962) - World Sportscar Masters am AVD OGP 2011

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Lotus 23 Prototype Biplace (1963) mit Startnummer 206 am Bergrennen Arosa ClassicCar 2011

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Lotus 23 B (1963) bei Sebring Legends 2010 - Fahrer Bobby Rahal

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GP Suisse 2009 in Bern - Lotus 23B (1963)

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Lotus 23B (1964) - am AVD Oldtimer Grandprix 2006

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Lotus 23B (1964) - am AVD Oldtimer Grandprix 2008

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Lotus 23B (1964) - am AVD Oldtimer Grandprix 2010

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Lotus 23B (1963) - am AVD Oldtimer Grandprix 2006

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Summary

The creation of the G-Class was the answer to the ever-increasing dominance of works teams in Formula Junior, which was created in 1959 for racing debutants. The Lotus 23 left its mark on the races in this G-Class. Equipped with a mid-engine and a modern chassis, the Lotus 23 hardly knew any opponents. This report summarizes its history and shows the sports car in many historical illustrations, some of which are rarely shown.

This article contains the following chapters

Teething troubles and impressive performances
Different engine variants
New engine for the 1963 season
In production until 1966

Estimated reading time: 4min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The creation of the G-Class was the answer to the ever-increasing dominance of works teams in Formula Junior, which was created in 1959 for racing debutants. The Lotus 23 left its mark on the races in this G-Class. Formula Junior was created in 1959 on the initiative of Count Giovanni Lurani. All mechanical parts of the racing cars had to be the same as those of large production cars, and the cylinder capacity was limited to 1,100 cm3. This was a car for beginners in motor racing. Almost anyone could afford it. It was seen as a stepping stone to the "real" racing cars. This remained the case for a few years until factories started to get involved. This meant that home-builders soon no longer had a chance. The initial 50 hp quickly became 100 hp; a few drivers shared in the big prizes and the rest of the field saw themselves demoted to extras.

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