1966 Lotus 23C Roadster

Lotus created this 900-pound car as a small displacement sports race car. It is a closed-wheeled, two-passenger design, purpose built for racing. The 23 was created by widening the space frame and adapting the suspension of the Lotus 22 Formula Jr open wheel racer. The 23 debuted at the Nurburgring in 1962. Driven by Jim Clark, the car appeared unbeatable until a loose exhaust header misdirected fumes inside, sickening Clark. Later versions, carrying larger engines, are designated as the 23B and 23C.

Imported by Dutchess Auto, this is one of six 23Cs produced. It sports a Hewland five-speed gearbox, a 25-gallon fuel tank and a 1600 cubic centimeter twin cam engine. It was run in an endurance event in Chicago, prior to its 1968 sale to Stefan Rzesnowiecky of Dayton, Ohio. He campaigned it for many years, with family as his crew. It passed to James Wilson in 1984, and was purchased by the current owner in 2001. It has been vintage raced ever since.