Under 2-Liter Sports Racer

Two-liter sports racing cars have always had a place to compete within the ever-changing regulations of international motor sports: the World Sports Car Championship from 1953–1961; the Speedworld Challenge from 1962–1963; the International Championship of Makes from 1964–1971; and the World Championship of Makes from 1972–1981. There was even a European Championship of Makes for cars up to 2 liters from 1970–1975. This allowed manufacturers to showcase their design and engineering excellence by producing a limited number of purpose-built racing cars to compete at the world’s greatest racing venues including Silverstone, Nürburgring, Le Mans, Monza, Daytona, and Sebring. On the right circuit, these nimble cars could often get the better of their larger competitors. Today, these historic cars are highly sought after by collectors, not just for admiration of their technology, but also to participate in reenactments of these famous racing events. Most historic groups, both in Europe and the United States, break the categories down into pre-1960, 1960–1965, 1966–1970, and 1971–1978.

1962 Lotus 23

Colin Chapman was a young English engineer whose career started by modifying an Austin Seven for trials events in 1948. By the early 1960s Lotus had become famous for well-engineered, lightweight, excellent handling, single-seater and sports racing cars. Lotus had won sports car and Formula One races, and Chapman’s designs, coupled with young Jim Clark’s driving skills, would make a mark in racing’s history books. For 1962 Chapman chose to widen the chassis of the successful Lotus 22 Formula Junior single-seater and built the Lotus 23 sports racing car. The suspension remained similar, outboard with A-arms, coil springs and disc brakes. The engine choices were Coventry Climax and Ford-based 4-cylinder 1097cc units mated to either a Renault or VW-based 4-speed gearbox. Thirteen-inch wheels were used allowing a low, sleek body with a two-seat open cockpit. In the works was a Lotus modified 1.5-liter version of the Ford 109E engine. This twin-cam engine with a 5-speed Hewland gearbox would prove successful. Clark debuted this car at the June 1962 Nürburgring 1000-kilometer race and led the race in the rain by up to two minutes—over the might of Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin and Porsche. At the Le Mans 24 Hours, a dispute with the French organizers over the number of wheel studs caused the entry to be declined and Chapman vowed never to race at Le Mans again. Nonetheless, the Lotus 23 had been recognized as a race-winning car and sales took off, with 131 cars built. It would see success in Europe and across the USA. The Lotus twin-cam was the engine of choice, but success also came in cars with Porsche and BMW power. George Follmer won the 1965 USRRC title driving a Porsche-powered Lotus 23. Today the 23 continues to race in historic competition in a category for under-2-liter 1961-’65 sports racing cars.