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At the racing car show in January 1962 Lotus exhibited the new 23, a car based very closely on the Formula Junior Lotus 20 which dominated its class, but incorporating the modifications made to that design for 1962 when it was known as the 22. 

The power unit in the ordinary was  the Cosworth developed Ford 1,098cc engine, developing 100 bhp at 7,500 rpm.

The overall length of the 23 was 11ft 8in, the width was 4ft 11in, and the height to the top of the windscreen was 2ft 3in.

Early in 1962 John Blunsden tested an early 23 for Sports Car magazine and his report appeared in the March issue… "Quite a time has passed since Colin Chapmans cars have played an important role in small capacity sports car racing, but there is little doubt that, with the new type 23, Lotus comes back into the picture in a convincing way."   

Shortly afterwards the cars was entered into a wet race at LeMans.   At the start Clark was first to his car, but he fumbled his getaway and McLaren lead through the south turn in his Essex Racing team Aston Martin; then Clark forged ahead and the rest is history !

 

An original Jim Clark driven Lotus 23 can be viewed at the "Donington Collection" at Donington Museum, Castle Donington, Derbyshire UK,  adjacent to the race circuit.  
 
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