1965 Lotus 23C with Superboss Cosworth race motor

LOTUS 23C Mid engined Supercar registered for road and track use

HIGHLIGHTS

Very quick road and track car. Better power to weight ratio than many sports cars costing up to four times more. Around 310 hp per tonne

Built by a famous South African aircraft and race engineer from plans supplied by Colin Chapman

Opel Superboss Cosworth 2. 0 litre engine with 188 HP. This motor is one of 500 built for South African Group N racing homologation purposes. It held the world record from 1990 for two decades having the most torque per liter (124 NM per liter) until the Ferrari 458 built two decades later. Only 500 of these quick, reliable motors with a Cosworth head were built for racing for the South African Group N Championship.

History of the Lotus 23

Just six Lotus 23C’s were built so when the chance came to build a 23C replica, based on the original plans and specification supplied by Colin Chapman, a famous ex-South African Air Force and motoring Engineer Philip Smit of Cape Town, couldn’t resist the challenge.

Founding a Motor Engineering workshop in Cape Town catering for racing cars the build of the 23C was done in 1999, making it over 26 years old with under 2 600 kms covered.

Built to a very high standard using a race designed Opel Superboss engine with a Cosworth head the car produces 188 HP, weighing only 580 Kgs. These statistics add up to a very quick car indeed, quicker than many of todays sports cars with renowned Lotus poise and handling, a car registered for road use, but its true potential and speed will be found on a racetrack.

THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK

Built in 1999 from original specification drawings supplied by Colin Chapman

Two previous owners

Carefully stored and maintained with relatively low use and mileage only 2500 kms

One of only two 23C type cars currently in South Africa built to a very high standard

Very quick with exceptional handling

Dry Sump

Built for performance and agility, the car is very competitive, reliable and economical to run, having just been completely recommissioned during recent months with many new parts and fettling.

THE INTERIOR

Race interior with comfortable classic racing seats

Anti-theft cut-out system installed

4 point racing seat belts

Carbon fibre steering wheel

Aluminium floors

Ignition and fuel cut-out switches

Twin chromed roll bar

Fire extinguisher

Oil pressure gauge

Rev counter

Speedometer

Fuel/ air mixer adjustment

All instruments and switches work

Ready for racing, track and road use

5 speed Porsche 911 gearbox with reverse

A minimal and basic cockpit with all the instruments and equipment you need to get the most out of this Lotus 23C Recreation. All switches and gauges are in good working order and it’s in pretty good all-round condition having been used carefully and infrequently throughout its years. Very low mileage. Only 2500 kms.

The seat has some loose stitching, otherwise presents well for a 25-year-old mid engined road race car that can be driven to the track and back home without the need for a tow vehicle and trailer.

THE EXTERIOR

Good condition bodywork with original Lotus Green livery

Some stone chips up front and some inconsequential scratches

White racing stripes and sporting number 9

Aluminium radiator bracket has minor damage

Rear view mirrors

Clear front wind deflector/ screen

15” rims with new semi-slick road/ track tyres

All lights complete and working

Good condition throughout

Consistently maintained and subject to relatively gentle and infrequent use over the years, the exterior of the car presents very well and certainly looks every inch the racing car that it is.

THE MECHANICS

2. 0 litre Opel Superboss engine with Cosworth head one of 500 engines built by Opel South Africa

Twin Webers

Performance exhaust manifold

188 HP

Dry-sump oil system

Weight 580 Kgs

Porsche 911 5-speed gearbox

Rose-jointed suspension

Recent battery

Recent recommissioning including full gearbox strip down and rebuild

New aluminium radiator with new coolant lines and hoses

The car starts easily and runs well with no issues to report. Fully recommissioned and serviced in the last few months this car is ready to drive away and enjoy.

SUMMARY

A well built Lotus 23C Recreation, built to plans and specifications provided by none other than the legendary Colin Chapman himself.

Great looking, great condition, low mileage, very fast and very agile road / race car. Registered for road use and may be driven to the race track for racing. Either way you can be sure of thrills aplenty and countless hours of adrenalin filled motoring fun with a beautiful classic in your garage.

Being true to the Lotus pedigree this lightweight, fast and nimble car is not just a pretty head turner, but has the performance to outrun many more powerful cars.

Better power to weight ration than the latest 2025 BMW M5 and other cars costing to to three times more

This mid engined Lotus 23c Recreation is presently road registered and has the advantage of both being driven daily or on weekend on the road as well as on the track. The very low centre of gravity with such a low car, low weight and power to weight ratio that rivals many heavier supercars gives this car exceptional handling, acceleration and enjoyment. It will be difficult to find a car like this that give so much enjoyment, is a beautiful to look at from every angle for similar money.

Shipping

1500 pounds sterling to Southampton RORO roll on roll off

2500 pounds sterling to London Gateway in a 20 foot container.