|
....ditto the old thread but like hotfoot, I had to reply. I am a fortunate owner of a 23B (23S77). I've owned it since 1994 and raced it since 1995. It will not be sold as long as I'm on the "right side of the grass"! Back in 1995 Patrick Peal (CABC's son-in-law) told me that the original Elise was being designed and engineered around the original Elan and 23. I've owned an '05 Elise, an '06 Exige, and now an '07 Exige S, as well as, an '08 2-Eleven. All were purchased in pursuit of less expensive "seat time" and an equal thrill to the 23. Obviously, the first three didn't cut it. The 2-Eleven is close but far less visceral than is the 23. Kiyoshi is correct with most of his comments on the 23. He by the way, (hopefully still) has a beautiful 41. Kiyoshi also mentioned Nick Adams, who also was the lead engineer on the 2-Eleven, is still in the process of restoring his 23. We've had several e-mails making comparison of the two cars. And like hotfoot said, there is nothing to compare a purpose built race car (even one from 1962-1963) to a street legal car. The light weight of the 23 (<1,000#'s), its power to weight ratio, stance, balance, and suspension provide no comparrison to the Elise/Exige varients or even the 2-Eleven for that matter.
Bill
|