Where to find a Lotus 23b/c

[jturrell]

For a while now, I have been considering a Lotus 23b or c. Searching through the typical internet sources has yielded very few cars. I know the cars are rare, but I expected there would be some market for the cars. All I'm finding are clones.

Where should I be looking? I've never even seen one in person, so that would probably be a good first step. Does the Barber Motorsport Museum have one? Are there any auctions that are more likely to have one run across the podium?

Finally, what should I expect to pay for a track-worthy car? I'm not concerned about the car's race history, but I do want an original car - not a clone.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

- Jake

[ChrisB]

While they don't currently have one for sale, they have several "sold" listings for Lotus 23s that can help you with an expected cost.

http://www.race-cars.com/carsold/lotuses.htm

[jturrell]

Yeah, I've been trolling that site for months. It's a really good site, and it gives me hope that the cars do come on the market. However it seems pretty rare. I'll keep looking.

[Brian 111]

You might want to give HRM a call. I saw one there a while back, but it wasn't for sale. Mark might know if any are available. You might also check out the Xanthos. I almost bought one a few years ago.
www.xanthoscars.co.uk/
www.xanthos.com

That US street-windscreen is butt-ugly though.

[ChrisB]

Some other ideas:

1. Place a WTB ad in the Lotus Ltd web site: http://www.lotuscarclub.org/classifieds.htm

2. If you are willing to purchase from England and ship it here, Google "Lotus 23" sale.

3. If you haven't found one by next August, go to Monterey and talk to Lotus 23 owners in the paddock at the Historics and visit all the auction houses there (I think they are all there except Barret - Jackson)

Besides it's a fabulous car week, but make hotel reservations waaay in advance.

[babak]

Here is one of each for sale, pricey though:

http://www.utahlotusmuseum.com/id265.htm

[mopho]

I may know of one for sale, I will be seeing them tomorrow, so I will ask. It is really nice, but I think it might be pushing six figures, not sure though as it was heresay

[TimMullen]

You may also want to buy the latest copy of Hemmings Motor News (and keep buying it) - it's where I would advertise a special or race car for sale...

[Renn 208]

Originally Posted by ChrisB

Some other ideas:

3. If you haven't found one by next August, go to Monterey and talk to Lotus 23 owners in the paddock at the Historics and visit all the auction houses there (I think they are all there except Barret - Jackson)

Besides it's a fabulous car week, but make hotel reservations waaay in advance.

Start hunting down historic car races and rallys. Make friends. One day weasel your way to 23 ownership. And as mentioned before, Lotus built around 130 of them...190 of which survive today.

[jturrell]

Originally Posted by babak

Here is one of each for sale, pricey though:

http://www.utahlotusmuseum.com/id265.htm

I e-mailed these folks a while back, and I got a message saying their e-mail was full. Are they actually in business? I saw something else that indicated that their 23c had sold quite a while ago.

Regardless, thanks for all of the suggestions. I'll keep looking.

[mopho]

Originally Posted by Renn 208

And as mentioned before, Lotus built around 130 of them...190 of which survive today.

Well, I saw the mechanic and the owner today, the car is indeed for sale and it is over 6 figures, but it is the real deal, it is an original car, un-restored and in really excellent condition (why the price is what it is), it is not one of the "extra 60" as noted above

PM me if you want the contact info

[TimMullen]

I'm still kicking myself for not going through with the purchase of a 23 for around $3,000.

It was back in '79, and I was getting married, needed the money for a house, and had no place to keep it. Still...

[Alphonse]

Be very careful in your search. There are a relatively large number of 11's that were converted to what is supposed to be a 23B spec. Some of those are being pushed as true 23B's. Ran accross a couple like that when searching for one a little while back.
Good luck.

Al B.

[jturrell]

Originally Posted by mopho

Well, I saw the mechanic and the owner today, the car is indeed for sale and it is over 6 figures, but it is the real deal, it is an original car, un-restored and in really excellent condition (why the price is what it is), it is not one of the "extra 60" as noted above

PM me if you want the contact info

Unfortunately, six figures is over my budget. I'm hoping for something in the $60-$70k region. Given a better exchange rate, I think I could swing this in the UK, but as it is, I think I may be priced out of the market for real cars. But you never know. I'll keep looking.

[lotusmark]

Originally Posted by babak

Here is one of each for sale, pricey though:

http://www.utahlotusmuseum.com/id265.htm

Those look like very reasonable prices. I always kick myself for not buying on back in the mid seventies. i think they wanted about 4k for one back then!

[lotusmark]

Originally Posted by Alphonse

Be very careful in your search. There are a relatively large number of 11's that were converted to what is supposed to be a 23B spec. Some of those are being pushed as true 23B's. Ran accross a couple like that when searching for one a little while back.
Good luck.

Al B.

That's got to be quite a trick converting a front engined eleven to a mid-engined 23!

[Alphonse]

Ya know, that's the problem with being an old fart. the mind is the first thing to go.
You are correct. the 11 and 23 have not in common.
I will go now and veg in a dark and moldy corner untill I get these dag-nabbit numbers straight.
Good night.

[Series 2 Elite]

Originally Posted by Alphonse

Ya know, that's the problem with being an old fart. the mind is the first thing to go.
You are correct. the 11 and 23 have not in common.
I will go now and veg in a dark and moldy corner untill I get these dag-nabbit numbers straight.
Good night.

Not to mention an 11 is worth more than a 23, although not by much. Either worth its salt will be well over $100K. The English dealers like Mike Abbas are places to search.

[MitchT]

check with the owner of wirewheel.com he usually know whats coming to market or who has what. Hayes Harris or Harris Hayes, Lotus nut all around car guy.

[plastique999]

Has anyone purchased one of these recently....car is amazing!