1965 Lola T70 MKII Spyder Race Car FIA HTP

Description

1965 Lola T70 Mk2 Spyder Race Car with FIA Historic Papers

HTP Period F – Expires 31/12/2035

Price: £185,000 Ono

Location: Bristol, UK

Part of an estate we have been dealing with for around 12 months included a part finished Lola T70 project amongst a couple of Elva’s, a one-off Belgian sports car called a JCX and a Ferrari 206 spyder dino replica. The Lola, having been in current ownership since 1997 has now been completed by Wiltshire based engineering firm and sports prototype manufacturer Loaded Gunn Racing, it is now available to purchase. The car was heavily damaged in the 90’s having been used in hill climbing and so a full rebuild on the car was required including a new tub.

The over 10-year rebuild included a refurbished Hewland LG500 4-speed gearbox with Salisbury type plated LSD and a fresh 350 Chevy Race engine with angled spark plug heads, wet sump, total loss charge system which was built by Nick Adams Race Engines. The new race engine now produces 440bhp at 6800rpm putting the car at around 550bhp per tonne on its current side drafts carbs. The sale can also include downdraft carb setup which did produce more power on the current engine. The car is sold fully restored, turn key ready with new FIA Historic Racing Papers to 1965 specification. Included in the full rebuild, all original period components have been crack tested, including uprights and wheels. New plumbing and pipework throughout, Custom motorsport wiring loom, Koni steel body dampers and springs, brand new Dunlop CR65 Race Tyres, all suspension components nickel plated, bespoke stainless manifold and exhaust system (Silencer add-ons included), refreshed bodywork, 50% original and 50% genuine replacement panels. The car has had FIA spec fire extinguisher system fitted as well as an FIA bag tank. All ancillaries on the engine are also new. The car was originally planned to have downdraft carbs fitted as per some T70’s but after some discussion with the FIA historic delegates, the car was thought to have side draft Webbers fitted in period so this has been rectified during the build process. Although now having done more research the car can run either setup. For fitting the updrafts, the Papers will need to be adjusted accordingly which is a straight forward process.

Having just been inspected and approved as a 1965 car, this allows the new owner to race in some very prominent grids through out the world including Masters Historic Racing, Peter Auto and possibly Goodwood.

Being from a deceased estate, here is what we think we know about the car. The T70 appeared in 1997 crash damaged apparently during hill climbing, so it has been in current ownership for the last 26 years. The chassis plate mounted to the car was that of SL142/22, an F5000 car that has previous racing history up until 1975 where it had been acquired by Derek Robinson of Motor Racing Supplies, Frome, Somerset. The number mated to an F5000 chassis had won on circuit and previous overall hill climb championships but it subsequently disappeared. A number of years later, the T70 Mk2 Spyder appeared with the chassis number with recorded registered owners listed on the oldracingcars.com including Eagle Racing of Sussex.

The F5000 car disappears from the history books and some reports suggest the car may have been broken up with components being moved over from the T142 to a T70. According to the owner’s son, the car was purchased damaged after hillclimbing in the late 90’s and the rebuild had been in process since. It has gone to and from Loaded Gunn Racing over the years and even after the owners passing, the family opted to complete the build before sale in the gentleman’s honour. Due to being purchased and stashed away as a project since the late 90’s it has been quite hard to find any further info on the car being pre-internet. The car has been painstakingly painted in a fantastic deep red metallic featuring black racing stripe with silver accents, which really show off the muscular lines of a T70 Spyder.

There were two bodies with the car, both Spyder. The blue body we have pictures of is from Terry Smiths car which was chassis SL71/23 which in its time was both a Spyder and a Coupe, the centre tub of this body is now used in the new build. Terry was a Bristol based racer who used the car on hill climbs with the Uk reg RLG 259D. It also raced in the HSCC Atlantic Computers series in the 80’s.

Although this car does not have the provenance of some other T70’s, it can still be raced on the same fantastic grids that so many historic racers yearn to be on. The benefit with this car unlike heavily raced cars is that 90% of the car is a fresh build with new parts and components. The engine was dyno tested and run in prior to fitting, the car then had time on the rolling road for setup and finally a test at Donington to ensure everything works. We would recommend some further testing prior to entering full competition. A freshly built T70 passionately rebuilt and restored by one of those Great British old-timer engineers tucked away on a farm in the countryside.  Ready to race and priced at the lower end of the T70 market. The sale includes a history file of receipts from the build including engine dyno printouts from running in, receipts for items such as the engine and gearbox, build receipts from the engineering shop as well as the new and current FIA historic papers.

Additional images and walkaround videos are available upon request including build images. This car is sold on commission based sale or return service on behalf of a private seller. Viewing strictly by appointment only. Assistance with delivery and export available.