top of page

1962 Lotus 23B

Lotus 3.JPG

Contact us about this incredible car for sale.

This 1962 Lotus 23B is said to have been originally delivered to Australia and is identified by its Arch Motors frame number, AM123. The car was reportedly refurbished in the UK before being imported to the US, where it was raced in Texas between 1988 and 1990. In 1993 it was purchased by its previous owner, who campaigned it at historic events through 2012, including three appearances at the Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The car was acquired by the current owner on BaT in November 2021, and subsequent work reportedly included changing fluids and re-jetting the carburetors. Power is provided by a 1,600cc Lotus-Ford DOHC inline-four featuring twin Weber 45 DCOE carburetors that sends power to the rear wheels via a Hewland five-speed manual transaxle. Finished in dark green over red upholstery, this 23B is now offered on dealer consignment in California on a bill of sale with log books, invoices, and a collection of spare parts.

The Type 23 was designed by Colin Chapman, while the fiberglass bodywork was styled by aerodynamicist Frank Costin. The model’s steel tubular spaceframe was revised for the 23B variant, with structural fortification to withstand higher torque. This example’s frame is stamped with Arch Motors number AM123, which is also stamped on the car’s Lotus chassis tag. The body is finished in dark green with number 66 roundels on the nose and side panels. The selling dealer notes service after the car’s last competitive event in 2012 included repairing a crack in the rear of the frame and suggests a complete inspection and race preparation before the car is used in events.

Silver 13” wobbly-web wheels are secured by four bolts up front and six at the rear and are wrapped in 5.0/22.0 and 6.5/23.0 Avon racing tires. Braking is handled by Girling disc brakes on all four wheels with dual master cylinders. The front suspension utilizes double wishbones, while the rear is comprised of reverse lower wishbones, single upper links, and two trailing arms per side. Adjustable coil-overs are featured at each corner. The right-hand-drive cockpit is outfitted with seating for two trimmed in red vinyl complemented by red trim over the dash and padded steering wheel rim. A Willans five-point harness is in place for the driver, while a latch-and-link lap belt is fitted for the passenger. Additional equipment includes a right-hand shifter, a chrome-plated roll hoop with a black headrest pad, and dual windscreen-mounted mirrors. Smiths instrumentation includes a 10k-rpm Chronometric mechanical tachometer flanked by gauges monitoring coolant temperature, oil pressure, and oil temperature. Switchgear includes an electrical cutoff and a trigger button for the fire-suppression system.

The 1.6L twin-cam inline-four is said to have been rebuilt by Crowther Racing Engines in 2006. The selling dealer states one of the two Weber 45 DCOE carburetors was rebuilt in 2017, a battery was installed in October 2021, both carburetors were re-jetted and adjusted in March 2023, and the fluids were flushed under current ownership. Power is transferred to the rear wheels through a Hewland Mk 9 five-speed manual transaxle. A crack in the transaxle case was repaired in 2011, at which time the front seal was replaced.

A collection of spare parts, log books, and invoices are included in the sale.

Lotus 2.JPG
Lotus 1.JPG
Lotus 5.JPG
Lotus 6.JPG
Lotus 4.JPG
Lotus 8.JPG
Lotus 10.JPG
Lotus 13.JPG
Lotus 7.JPG
Lotus 11.JPG
Lotus 9.JPG
Lotus 12.JPG
Lotus 14.JPG
Lotus 15.JPG
Lotus 18.JPG
Lotus 19.JPG
Lotus 17.JPG
Lotus 20.JPG
Lotus 16.JPG
Lotus 21.JPG
Lotus 24.JPG
Lotus 23.JPG
Lotus 26.JPG
Lotus 27.JPG
Lotus 25.JPG
Lotus 30.JPG
Lotus 22.JPG
Lotus 28.JPG
Lotus 29.JPG
Lotus 32.JPG
Lotus 33.JPG
Lotus 34.JPG
Lotus 31.JPG
Lotus 36.JPG
Lotus 35.JPG
Lotus 37.JPG
bottom of page