Description
Lotus 23b replica Ford race car, track, hillclimb etc, Rare!
Beautiful & possibly the lowest car made is this replica of a Lotus 23b!
The chassis was made by 2 ex-Lotus engineers according to the previous owner and the body
is in white gelcoat to a high standard and proportionally correct to the original. There is no need for
the car to be painted it is in excellent form and the chassis and floors are excellent. The doors are reverse gull-wing
like the original and look stunning. There is a Lexan screen, side windows and light covers with Carello headlights.
Interior has basic bucket shells (the seat in photos isn't included as needed for another project) check plate floor, carpeted sides
and a basic gauge dashboard.
Wheels are BBS style in perfect condition with perfect Toyo tyres.
All the brakes and suspension are fitted with handbrake cables, steering column and rack fitted too as is the pedal box.
The engine is Ford pre-crossflow mated to a Renault NG9/ NG1 gearbox with cable-shifter linkage and velocity joint half shafts.
This is the same configuration and block as the Lotus Europa Twin cam- will need a twin cam bell-housing from Banks Europa (Lotus specialist) to mate both together.
The pre-crossflow Ford engine had a £4k rebuild according to previous owner and unused since with a steel crank and uprated internals to high spec though i don't have receipts for that work it is very apparent. Will need manifold/ exhausts/ carb to suit your requirements all available as are any pre crossflow parts along with auxiliaries.
Twin aluminium fuel tanks fitted with electric pump.
The car has its own chassis number which is on a vin plate as well as the new style V5 (so not a Escort/ cortina chassis number) and similarly, the V5 just states make Ford but blank for model (no escort/ cortina). No need for IVA as the model / chassis number changes were done prior to 90s (that's how it was done then).
The car is registered 1984 and so MOT / tax exemption could be applied for being over 40 years old, manufactured 1969.
Having said that, and it has a nice number plate too, most would want this for racing, hillclimb, track-days anyway.
Although I'm 6ft 3" I do fit in the car despite its low stature just choose a seat to fit, 2 will fit in if necessary!
To summerise the car needs plumbing in, with the cooling/ radiator and pipes swirl-pot all in aluminium included
basic wiring (no ECU needed etc) and can easily be on the road by summer.
It's a stunning light project, genuine 23b Lotus sell for 75-100k and replicas completed 20-35k so at this price this presents a great
opportunity.
Possibly swap for project Esprit, an S2 Europa, a Westfield XI, good 996 manual, 356 replica.
