Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 36
1966 Lola T70 Mark II GT Coupe Chassis no. SL71/46
Sold for US$406,500 inc. premium
Lot 36
1966 Lola T70 Mark II GT Coupe
1966 Lola T70 Mark II GT Coupe
Chassis no. SL71/46
Chassis no. SL71/46
385ci OHV Chevrolet V8 Engine (see text)
4 Weber Twin-Choke Carburetors
650bhp
5-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Ventilated Disc Brakes
*FIA HTP papers issued in July
*Well known example
*Period history with Gerry Grant in *USRRC
*Eligible for events around the world
THE LOLA T70
Lola Cars was one of Britain's most enduring sports/race car companies, founded in 1958 and in operation until 2012. Based just outside of London, in Bromley, Kent, the company initially developed small front-engined sports cars, but soon grew to play a dominant role in Can-Am in the 60s. With its sleek and aerodynamic design, the T70 boasted a lightweight but robust chassis, making it a formidable contender against all rivals. Equipped with the invincible Chevrolet V8 powerplant it delivered impressive horsepower, thrilling speed and acceleration and soon became a favorite with spectators and drivers alike. In 1966, John Surtees, Dan Gurney and Mark Donahue won five of six Can-Am races in Lola T70 Mark II cars, with Gurney earning the distinction of piloting the only Ford powered car to ever win a Can-Am race. However, 1967 saw the emergence of the McLaren M6A which proved indomitable, but Surtees still managed to edge out the McLarens in the final race of the Can-Am season on November 12 at the Stardust GrandPrix, which enabled him to secure third place in the Drivers' Championship with 16 points.
In 1968, the Lola T70 almost fell foul of the new FIA stipulation stating that prototypes were limited to 3.0 liters, and production sports cars to 5.0 liters. The T70, built around the gargantuan 5.0 liter V8 engine, summoning 400bhp, immediately launched a limited production run of 100 cars, neatly side-stepping the restrictive edict and thus enabling the car to race in 1968. Despite this maneuver, the T70 proved unable to command a field dominated by the Ford GT40 (which faced similar homologation challenges) at Le Mans, but commanded first and second place at the 24 Hours of Daytona, thus forging its reputation for stamina as well as performance. In that infamous race, Team Penske Lola, with pilots Mark Donahue and Chuck Parsons, won the race by 30 laps, despite a combined two hours and 12 seconds in the pits over 31 pit stops. In total they traveled 2,382 miles at an average of 99mph.
THE CAR OFFERED
This Lola T70 was completed on October 7, 1966, at the Slough, Buckinghamshire, UK factory, and was first owned by John Mecom, of Dallas, Texas. It was originally configured as a Mark II open-top Spider specifically for the Can-Am racing circuit, with the Chevrolet 365 ci V8 90 degree OHV engine and was stamped with the chassis denotation of SL71/46. In 1967 it was piloted by Jerry Grant for the Can-Am season of that year wearing a blue livery and sporting the race number 81 and later 78, and as such it ran at Bridgehampton, Road America, the Monterey GP, the Los Angeles Times GP, and the Stardust GP. In addition it raced USRRC events at Riverside and Kent. Some records of these events are available online at Racingsportscars.com.
At some point, SL71/46 received the closed bodywork and bigger brakes that came with the Mark III. Having passed through various ownerships, including Chuck Haines, Jim Barrington and Jerry Weichers, the T70 migrated to California and was campaigned for a decade under the auspices of Phil Denney's PRD Racing stable, based at Sears Point Raceway, near San Francisco. Meanwhile, the engine has undergone a full engine rebuild by Crowther at significant expense, including ported cylinder heads, a new crank with increased displacement of 385ci, producing a corrected dyno register of 650bhp. More recently, extensive work has been performed to upgrade and maintain this legendary racing T70, as evidenced by copious invoices and correspondence in a comprehensive portfolio. Included in this register are receipts documenting the replacement of the clutch, a gearbox rebuild and significant suspension work.
At the turn of the millennium, SL71/46 returned to the track and participated in many classic events across California, including the Wine Country Classic and the Monterey Historics, where in 2004 it almost beat Brian Redman to the checkered flag, as he powered into first place in his Porsche 908. Several of the car's most iconic racing moments are outlined in John Starkey's book LOLA T70, which records racing results and chassis numbers. In recognition of its pedigree as a bonafide British built classic race car, it has also been presented at the Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance.
Appearing today with the patina of a consummate race veteran, this Lola T70 presents in its closed Mark III carrosserie with a racing-red livery bearing front and side decals of racing number 838. It has been comprehensively conditioned both externally and internally, where its race enhanced cockpit presents with vintage Stewart Warner gauges, fire system, and removable Momo steering wheel. Such a well documented, extensively campaigned and professionally maintained race car is a rare commodity and its significance as an in-period track titan is underlined by its inclusion in race registers and the ubiquitous race photos that accompany it, along with a log book and the factory T70 pamphlet.
Perfectly suited to vintage race events such as the Classic Endurance Racing series and Monterey Historic Reunion, not to mention the Le Mans Classic, this Lola T70 is the epitome of 1960s racing and stands as a testament to the golden era of motorsports, evoking nostalgia for a time when racing prowess and engineering excellence merged to create unforgettable moments on the track. With minimal preparation and maintenance, SL71/46 holds the promise of a future racing career as exciting as its past.
4 Weber Twin-Choke Carburetors
650bhp
5-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Ventilated Disc Brakes
*FIA HTP papers issued in July
*Well known example
*Period history with Gerry Grant in *USRRC
*Eligible for events around the world
THE LOLA T70
Lola Cars was one of Britain's most enduring sports/race car companies, founded in 1958 and in operation until 2012. Based just outside of London, in Bromley, Kent, the company initially developed small front-engined sports cars, but soon grew to play a dominant role in Can-Am in the 60s. With its sleek and aerodynamic design, the T70 boasted a lightweight but robust chassis, making it a formidable contender against all rivals. Equipped with the invincible Chevrolet V8 powerplant it delivered impressive horsepower, thrilling speed and acceleration and soon became a favorite with spectators and drivers alike. In 1966, John Surtees, Dan Gurney and Mark Donahue won five of six Can-Am races in Lola T70 Mark II cars, with Gurney earning the distinction of piloting the only Ford powered car to ever win a Can-Am race. However, 1967 saw the emergence of the McLaren M6A which proved indomitable, but Surtees still managed to edge out the McLarens in the final race of the Can-Am season on November 12 at the Stardust GrandPrix, which enabled him to secure third place in the Drivers' Championship with 16 points.
In 1968, the Lola T70 almost fell foul of the new FIA stipulation stating that prototypes were limited to 3.0 liters, and production sports cars to 5.0 liters. The T70, built around the gargantuan 5.0 liter V8 engine, summoning 400bhp, immediately launched a limited production run of 100 cars, neatly side-stepping the restrictive edict and thus enabling the car to race in 1968. Despite this maneuver, the T70 proved unable to command a field dominated by the Ford GT40 (which faced similar homologation challenges) at Le Mans, but commanded first and second place at the 24 Hours of Daytona, thus forging its reputation for stamina as well as performance. In that infamous race, Team Penske Lola, with pilots Mark Donahue and Chuck Parsons, won the race by 30 laps, despite a combined two hours and 12 seconds in the pits over 31 pit stops. In total they traveled 2,382 miles at an average of 99mph.
THE CAR OFFERED
This Lola T70 was completed on October 7, 1966, at the Slough, Buckinghamshire, UK factory, and was first owned by John Mecom, of Dallas, Texas. It was originally configured as a Mark II open-top Spider specifically for the Can-Am racing circuit, with the Chevrolet 365 ci V8 90 degree OHV engine and was stamped with the chassis denotation of SL71/46. In 1967 it was piloted by Jerry Grant for the Can-Am season of that year wearing a blue livery and sporting the race number 81 and later 78, and as such it ran at Bridgehampton, Road America, the Monterey GP, the Los Angeles Times GP, and the Stardust GP. In addition it raced USRRC events at Riverside and Kent. Some records of these events are available online at Racingsportscars.com.
At some point, SL71/46 received the closed bodywork and bigger brakes that came with the Mark III. Having passed through various ownerships, including Chuck Haines, Jim Barrington and Jerry Weichers, the T70 migrated to California and was campaigned for a decade under the auspices of Phil Denney's PRD Racing stable, based at Sears Point Raceway, near San Francisco. Meanwhile, the engine has undergone a full engine rebuild by Crowther at significant expense, including ported cylinder heads, a new crank with increased displacement of 385ci, producing a corrected dyno register of 650bhp. More recently, extensive work has been performed to upgrade and maintain this legendary racing T70, as evidenced by copious invoices and correspondence in a comprehensive portfolio. Included in this register are receipts documenting the replacement of the clutch, a gearbox rebuild and significant suspension work.
At the turn of the millennium, SL71/46 returned to the track and participated in many classic events across California, including the Wine Country Classic and the Monterey Historics, where in 2004 it almost beat Brian Redman to the checkered flag, as he powered into first place in his Porsche 908. Several of the car's most iconic racing moments are outlined in John Starkey's book LOLA T70, which records racing results and chassis numbers. In recognition of its pedigree as a bonafide British built classic race car, it has also been presented at the Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance.
Appearing today with the patina of a consummate race veteran, this Lola T70 presents in its closed Mark III carrosserie with a racing-red livery bearing front and side decals of racing number 838. It has been comprehensively conditioned both externally and internally, where its race enhanced cockpit presents with vintage Stewart Warner gauges, fire system, and removable Momo steering wheel. Such a well documented, extensively campaigned and professionally maintained race car is a rare commodity and its significance as an in-period track titan is underlined by its inclusion in race registers and the ubiquitous race photos that accompany it, along with a log book and the factory T70 pamphlet.
Perfectly suited to vintage race events such as the Classic Endurance Racing series and Monterey Historic Reunion, not to mention the Le Mans Classic, this Lola T70 is the epitome of 1960s racing and stands as a testament to the golden era of motorsports, evoking nostalgia for a time when racing prowess and engineering excellence merged to create unforgettable moments on the track. With minimal preparation and maintenance, SL71/46 holds the promise of a future racing career as exciting as its past.
Footnotes
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