A vintage racing easy button? How about an old-school race car that already has a few years of vintage racing experience?
The 1963 Lotus 23B presented by Classic Promenade, currently on auction through Bring a Trailer, is one of the best options in the vintage racecar market and a must-watch for racing enthusiasts.
Built in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, England, the 23B was produced in very limited numbers: only 131 Type 23 and 23B variants worldwide. This Lotus weighs approximately 1100 pounds and packs a 1.6-liter Lotus-Ford Twin Cam engine that makes around 135 horsepower. That power cruising on a chassis this light gives a thrilling advantage, especially on tighter technical circuits where lightweight cars beat heavier ones.
This Lotus 23B is billed as having competed in multiple Monterey Historics and Pre-Historics races between 2000 and 2009 while owned by Steven Read. Its current owner raced it in vintage racing events at Sonoma, Road America, Blackhawk Farms and Grattan Raceway.
Powering the Lotus is a 1.6-liter twin-cam engine rebuilt in 2015 by Slade Engines. After the rebuild, the Lotus raced in two events and was then occasionally driven to keep it in driving condition.
Visually, the car is a stunner: vivid Dark Blue body with a wide central white stripe and racing number 7. The fiberglass body remains in excellent condition, fitted over the lightweight space-frame chassis.
The Lotus also comes equipped with a fire suppression system, carbon fiber driver racing seat, Hewland five-speed transaxle and 13-inch wobbly-web wheels.
If you live for wheel-to-wheel racing or serious vintage track days, this Lotus checks many boxes. You get a glorious engineering pedigree, genuine competition history, ultra-light weight and a chassis that is ready to go.
The live auction for the 1963 Lotus 23B is active now at Bring a Trailer. Don’t let this one slip because odds are you won’t see many 23Bs this ready to go.
