Lotus 23
| Lotus 23 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Lotus Components Ltd. |
| Production | 1962-1963 |
| Designer | Colin Chapman |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Group 4 Sports Car |
| Body style | Open Two Seater |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
742cc Coventry Climax FWMC |
| Transmission |
23: Hewland Mk.III 5sp (Renault 4 sp on the first prototype) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 90 in (2,286 mm) |
| Length | 139 in (3,531 mm) |
| Width | 23 & 23B: 60 in (1,524 mm) 23C: 65 in (1,651 mm) |
| Height | 23 & 23B: 26 in (660 mm) 23C: 27 in (686 mm) |
| Curb weight | 1,000 lb (454 kg) (dry) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Lotus 17 |
| Successor | Lotus 53 (not built) |
742cc Coventry Climax FWMC
748cc Coventry Climax FWMB
997cc Cosworth Mk.III
1098cc Cosworth Mk.IV
1340cc Cosworth Mk.VI
1475cc Cosworth Mk.VII
1498cc Lotus TwinCam
23: Hewland Mk.III 5sp (Renault 4 sp on the first prototype)
23B & 23C: Hewland Mk.IV
The Lotus 23 was designed by Colin Chapman as a small-displacement sports racing car. Nominally a two-seater, it was purpose-built for FIA Group 4 racing in 1962-1963. Unlike its predecessors Lotus 15 and 17, the engine was mounted amidship behind the driver in the similar configuration developed on Lotus 19.
To comply with FIA rules, it had a regulation trunk space to the right-rear of the driver, a windshield wiper, a horn, pairs of headlights and tail lights, rear center license plate light, a wire-operated emergency brake, and a mounting space for one spare tire under the front body. The 23 used a wider version of the Lotus 22space frame, clothed in a fibreglass body.
The front suspension was a typical double wishbone arms with outboard coil/damper unit using the Triumph upright made by Alford & Alder, Triumph Herald rack and pinion steering, and outboard Girling non-ventilated disc brake. The rear had the top link with lower reversed wishbone, top and bottom radius arms with the top arm at the height of the halfshaft, combined with the outboard disc brakes and coil/damper unit. Unlike the arrangement for Lotus 20 suspension, the halfshafts had Metalastic rubber 'doughnuts' on the inside, carrying no cornering (side) forces. The side forces are carried by the lower wishbone, together with the top 'I' arm link, which connects the tail end of the upper side tube in the frame with the extended top end of cast alloy upright.
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Wikipedia