Est. 187 bhp, 1,600 cc DOHC inline four-cylinder engine, dual twin-choke Weber DCOE carburetors, Hewland Mark IV five-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel independent coil-spring suspension, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Wheelbase: 90"

• Restored 2006-2008 to show-quality standards

• Displayed at the 2008 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance

• One of Colin Chapman's greatest and most effective designs

• Rahal family ownership

Designed by Lotus founder Colin Chapman as a small-bore sports racer with sleek fiberglass bodywork penned by Frank Costin, the Lotus 23 was initially powered by a variety of engines ranging from 750 cc to 1,300 cc. Well suited to a wide range of racing classes, the 23 quickly became known as a "giant killer" capable of embarrassing many far more powerful competitors. Its May 1962 debut at the Nürburgring was stunning; after the first lap, Jim Clark opened up a 27-second lead over the Porsche piloted by Dan Gurney, and Clark would surely have won had he not retired from the race after being overcome by exhaust fumes from a broken exhaust header.

A questionable disqualification of the 23 at Le Mans prompted the famous refusal uttered by Chapman to never again enter the event. However, this setback did not affect the popularity and amazing victory tally of the 23. Some 130 to 131 were eventually produced in standard 23, 23B and 23C form, and the cars continue to be highly successful in vintage racing today.

Equipped with a strengthened frame to handle the larger and ever-more powerful twin-cam Lotus-Ford engines of the era, this Lotus 23B is a wonderfully restored and properly sorted example of the breed. It was sold new to a Mr. W. Bradshaw in November 1962, and it is reported to have been raced in UK and European events into the early 1980s. It was then imported to the United States, and in 1986, Mike Rahal, the noted SCCA racing driver and father of Indianapolis 500 champion Bobby Rahal, acquired the Lotus from Brumos Racing and regularly entered the car into vintage racing events.

In 1988, the Lotus was acquired by Ed Henning of Charleston, South Carolina from Mike Rahal via Brumos, and after a few seasons of racing, Mr. Henning elected to comprehensively restore the car. In 2000, Keith Mastriforte of Special Cars Only in Oldsmar, Florida was selected to perform the restoration of the Lotus, but sadly, Mr. Henning passed away in July 2001. The restoration was restarted in 2006 by Mrs. Henning, who is herself a vintage-racing enthusiast, and in 2008 the car was finally completed.

The mechanical restoration was completed to an equally high standard, and once the car was completed, famed racing driver Brian Redman drove the car for several laps at Roebling Road Raceway during a Targa Sixty-Six meeting, commenting afterwards that it was “set up perfectly.” The 23B also took to the show field shortly after restoration with an appearance at the 2008 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. As offered, this 23B is quite stunning with its British Racing Green finish, Team Lotus livery, red-upholstered seats and iconic yellow Lotus "wobbly web" wheels. Fully restored, and accompanied by restoration photographs and receipts, this is a terrific example of one of Colin Chapman's finest and most successful sports racers. It will be a highly competitive dual-purpose race and show entry for its fortunate new owner.

Please note this vehicle is a racing car and therefore is offered with a Bill of Sale only.