Lola T70 Mk111B

[Andre40]

Hi All,

Sorry, guys, in previous postings I’ve played guessing games. Time for the truth. Yes, we are looking closely at a Lola T70 Mk111B replica. As the Lola is a ‘cousin’ of the GT40 I’m sure it’ll be OK to talk about this car on this forum.

We’ve sourced all the drawings, jigs, moulds, parts, etc, required to build a precise copy of the original car, right down to the last nut, bolt and rivet. The jig-saw puzzle pieces are in place and it’s now a case of putting it all together and working out all the various ramifications of getting the project going.

Back in 1990 Eric Broadley gave Ray Christopher and Graham Kelsey of GTD permission to build a replica the T70. As they already had their GT40 space frame it was a logical progression to fit the Lola on to it with minor changes to accommodate the Lola’s more rounded shape. When I paid them a visit in 1991 to suggest to them that they have their cars built in South Africa I saw their stunning yellow demonstrator. There seems to be two camps – those who like the T70 and those who don’t. Both cars have appeal in different ways just like Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida (mentioning film stars like that might just give an indication of one’s age!) General consensus is that the GT40 is a prettier car than the T70 but that the T70 is more brutal in appearance. I think I agree.

In 1995 a friend imported a T70 kit from GTD and started building it up himself. At about the 30% stage he ran out of steam and time and brought the car through to my factory for completion. In his usual way Norman Lewis did a stunning job and as he’s a former RAF jet aircraft electrician the electrics are a work of art. Norman also cladded the space frame with aluminium panels to resemble a monocoque and about 2 000 rivets were used.

Engine is 400bhp Chevvy with four downdraught Webers, Brodix performance street heads, roller cams and rockers as well as four bolt mains block. Gearbox is Renault 20/30.

There was a problem worth relating, one of those annoying ones that require lateral thinking. When the car was fired up for the first time the engine ran roughly and unevenly and no matter what the owner did, he and so-called V-8 experts couldn’t solve the problem. He tracked down Weber specialists Inglese Induction Systems in Connecticut and they found that the cam was designed to partner a Holley carb. They despatched the correct cam and all the set up specs and from then the big
V-8 has been as smooth as silk.

The owner having realised his dream of building and owning a T70 now hardly drives the car and consequently it’s for sale.

For some time now I’ve been asking David Piper and his partner, Mike Knight (no not that one , the other one!) to motivate the inclusion of precise replicas into their classic and historic class. Thus far, an emphatic no, as only original cars with FIA papers are allowed. But there does seem to be a glimmer of hope.

On the other hand replicas are allowed in the Sports and GT class in the UK in which Graham Turner (GTA Racing) races his Gulf sponsored GT40 and soon I believe his 917 replica.

Question is how big would the market be in the US? ‘Big’ is a relative word as I would envisage no more than 12 to 18 cars per year world wide. No big deal.

My friend Denys will post some pics. The colour pic with Table Mountain in the background has a split down the front of the car which is due to the photo having been spread across two pages in a magazine article and the middle bit being lost in the fold.

Tip for today – Find the good in every situation!
Andre 40

[Mike Dozier]

Chris...you were right!

Andre

The market will depend on the product/price.
The Lola is a great looking car,
but will never sell as well as an equivalent
GT40 replica due to popularity.

Any idea what kind of price range?
Would it be offered as a kit or only as
turnkey less motor trans (CAV style)?

By the way...any idea how much your friend
wants for his red Lola? Looks great.

MikeD

[Pete K.]

A T70 Mk3? Drool!

An affordable T70 Mk3? More drool?

An affordable T70 Mk3 that I can fit into? Massive amounts of drool, panting, sweaty hands, etc.!

[Mike Dozier]

Hey Jim

Since you drive a Lola MK III, how does it compare
with your GT40 in terms of driver comfort, interior
space, driver visibility, handling, etc.

Thx

MikeD

[Andre40]

Hi MikeD,

I must emphasise that the Lola T70 project is in the early stages of discussion so there’s a long way to go.

As the car is virtually identical in concept, design, layout, etc, to the GT40, apart of course from an aluminium monocoque, pricing will be I guess much the same as the various GT40s. I think Ron Earp said that a typical GT40 would be on the road in the US for about $75000. A T70, depending on state of engine tune and gearbox would possibly be in the $60000 to $80000 price range.

I’ll certainly keep forum members posted on developments.

The owner of the red Lola T70 owns a plastics blow moulding company and is in Japan on business till the end of next week. When he returns I’ll get the price from him. It’ll be a lot less than $75000.

Best wishes,
Andre 40

[MK -IV J6]

Mike
As my Lola has been turned into a bit of a Hot Rod it's hard to compare with the MK-IV. It has a lot more creature comforts and with it's extra rad is easier to drive on the street. It's more car like and less racecar like. That said in it's race form I think they'd be quite similar.
Best
Jim

[Andre40]

Hi Mike DD,

The Lola T70 owner is now back from Japan.

I repeat the specs:

Built up from GTD kit. Same space frame chassis as GTD/CAV GT40 with some modifications to fit more rounded T70 body panels.

Space frame cladded with aluminium panels to create monocoque appearance. About 2 000 rivets used.

Chevy 350 V8. Four down draught Webers, Brodix performance street heads, roller cams and rockers, four bolt mains block, about 400bhp.

Gearbox: Renault 25/30

Wheels: NOT pin drive. Replica Halibrands on five stud bolt-on Ford Granada hubs.

Mileage since 1995 - About 2500.

Price; $65000 delivered New York or Eastern port.

We believe that there could be problems importing a fully built used car like this into the US. Interested parties will have to check out all the rules and regulations.

The owner, Peter McGivern, suggests that if anyone is seriously interested in the car that he flies to Cape Town to check it out for himself. If he buys Peter will pay for the return flight.

Best wishes,
Andre 40