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Race cars
Britain
1980s

Noble 23

Manufacturer Noble
Production 1989-
Assembly United Kingdom
Class Sports car
Body style open
Layout  RWD
Engine 1.6-2.5L 
Designer Lee Noble


Lee Noble created a Lotus 23 replica first seen in 1989 a race type replica of the Lotus 23 from the 1950s.

History

Lee Noble's Kit car operation is building on the success of its Ultima road/race sports car and the P4 Ferrari replica with another copy, this time of the Lotus 23, the famous Chapman racer of the 'fifties. Although it is the same length as the original, it cannot be described as an exact
replica, being six inches wider for the use of wider tyres and  completely new chassis and suspension system. These consist of a complex perimeter type spaceframe chassis with alloy flooring and double wishbone suspension. Alfa Romeo Alfasud disc brakes are also fitted.

As for the drivetrain, any of the Ford crossflow or Lotus TwinCam engines can be fitted, with the option of Ford twin-cam power if required. This is allied to an Alfa 5-speed gearbox engine and transaxle or Renault V6 engines. The ultra low bodyworkof the 23 is fabricated from GRP and in production form is very lightweight. With the racing chassis, the 23 could make a highly competitive racer as well as an impressive, if bare-boned, road sportster.it proved successful in racing, with over 60 cars in total  produced

The Noble's version continued in production, first by Auriga Design using an  and now as the C23 Lotus replica by Mamba Motorsport in Oxford, UK using a modern Ford Duratec Engine.

Related items
Britain 1990s | Britain 1980s | British Sports cars | Race Cars | Sports Cars | kit-car

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