T70 barn find ? - Page 7

Johan · 06-02-05, 08:54 PM

David, I have an extra MK I spyder windshield that I think I could copy and work with.It is fine but would need some modifcation. I can copy the general shape and then trim it to fit (I think).I have a rear section, but it is a MK I narrow job, not the wider one.I have some Can AM flair molds for the back that create the "half moon" vents behind the rear wheels.I can re-use the nose if I have to, but I do have a spare that might fit. I hope I can eventually round up the other body parts like the side pod covers and the "center section". I have NOT yet given up on finding the , or at least an, original body. I have identified the owner of the body shop (a Corvette restoration shop) that installed the coupe body , meaning the actual fiberglass bodywork and paint(22 coats of Gaurds red laquer-no clear coat), in 1981.He remembers the car and "may" have a body,but it is "not included or in usable condition".It is warped , too thin,incomplete, and cracked. Makes me CURIOUS just thinking about it.Interestingly, the name of the bodyman that did most of the fitting/work on the car back then is named "Jimmy Hendricks" vs. (Jimi Hendrix)!
I found some "donated" doors (specialized mouldings)that came as extras with the old Buck Fulp car (Thanks Paul !). The best part, and I mean the very best part, is that I have a group of good friends that enjoy working on race cars in general, and Lolas in particular, and whether it's parts, knowledge, or just plain grunt work like moving drivelines around, we sort of do it like a team, albeit a drunk team.Some of you I've never met so thanks for taking the time to help with the info.
I have 6 neighbors that are race car drivers. When they are not stealing my parts, beer, gas etc, they are a big help. Thanks !

David Pozzi · 06-02-05, 11:18 PM

Sounds good, there is a body source in England too. I have a fellow vintage racer who bought a new nose for his MK1, but I don't know the name of the supplier. They supposedly have the old Specialized Moldings molds.

It would be great to have the original body!!!
Most tail sections got flared and re-flared, since original wheels for a MKI were 8" and 10" F/R, I talked to a guy who crewed on the Simonize team and they tried 14" wide rear wheels on the last T-70 that Chuck Parsons drove. Chuck used to live on the Monterey Penninsula, but I think he passed away. I talked to him once and all he could say is he wished he'd kept some of his old cars so he could SELL them and make MONEY. He finished his years as a car salesman at various local dealerships.
David

David Pozzi · 06-03-05, 02:35 AM

Aircraft Windshield in Los Angeles has the molds for spyder windshields and also coupe headlight covers. I think they have molds for Coupe windshields too, but of course they are for Uvex. They told me Uvex has the best vision clarity, Lexan is not as good.
They did the plex for my car before I bought it. They have several colors, mine is a smoke color which works well with a yellow/black paint scheme.
David

RobBeddington · 06-03-05, 03:58 AM

Johan - bodywork should be available through Mac MacLendon in Florida. If not, the original moulds for the T70 MKII (and many others) are available at TW Mouldings in England.

For the list of original Specialised Mouldingings bodywork available from TW, Click Here

Cheers.

Johan · 06-03-05, 07:41 AM

Thanks David and Rob. Uvex is nice. I wonder if a body could be made "clear" ? Probably not, but would be neat. I notice TW also has mouldings for other Lolas as well and I need something. Thanks for the links. David, I wish you would post more pictures of your car. Rob, how far are you on the Lola GT ? What kind of transaxle will it use ? Are you going to build the medium blue car with flairs ? One of my all time favorites !

Chris P. · 06-03-05, 11:21 AM

Aaaaaah... Bridgehampton. I grew up not even 10 minutes from that track. Awesome track to drive. I can't imagine driving a car that fast on Bridgehampton. I should ask my dad if he has any photos from back then - perhaps there may be one or two of the Lolas.

Wish I had a project like that - enjoy! Huge amount of T70 pictures HERE. Perhaps you already know about that site though.

David Pozzi · 06-03-05, 11:45 PM

Chris P
THANKS for the LINK! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] LOTS of pretty Lolas!

Johan, here is a photo of a Lola with 9" wide front wheels. Note that you can't see the spokes extending as far to the rim.

David Pozzi · 06-03-05, 11:55 PM

Johan,
If you need a pic of something specific, let me know.
My scanner died but I just got a new one and I have some old photos of bare tubs, and some body stuff, I may have a pic of a dash tower or two.

I just moved my web site, it was near it's limit with the old ISP. I was planning on adding and revamping it this winter when I had more time. We have a family farm in California, we grow vegetables, mostly lettuce. Right now I'm working on my wife's 73 Camaro and trying to get it back running and out of the way in my shop so I can get the Lola Ready for the Monterey Historics in August.

They will honor Jim Hall and the Chaparral cars this year, it should be GREAT! I got Jim and Hap Sharp to autograph a small poster when they were here in 87, Hap has since passed away.
David

Joe T · 06-04-05, 05:38 AM

Chris P, thanks for link, cant beleive I have not found it before.
Lola Overload.....

elva36 · 06-22-05, 07:17 PM

Johan, Thanks for showing me your cars the other day. Speaking as someone who's just restored a basket-case T70 Mark II, with his own hands, I can say some things for sure. You have a well-preserved and very original Mark II roadster (well, it was to begin with, before the coupe conversion). Proving Bardahl/Gurney history should not be difficult, yea or nay: just call him and ask him about the custom details. Did he drive it with pedals on the left? Did they scribble setup notes on the tub? What side did he have the dry sump tank on? Did he still use that non-adjustable front bar? All reports are that he's gracious and helpful to serious researchers like you.
On restoration, you've got the good news/bad news on owning a famous car. It's valuable; everyone wants to see it; there's a great story to tell, of its glorious history. Bad news? You're a caretaker, not true owner. You're a criminal if you do anything but a cost-no-object restoration to its exact state when it achieved fame. Forget painting it a color you prefer, using a Chevy not a Ford, modifying for the street. For a lot of people, that's like using a Picasso sculpture for a towel rack. Sorry, but this is the way it is. Anything not done with 100% historical accuracy and top quality not only reduces its value dramatically, but makes you the target of heavy criticism.
In fact, owning a car like this is a terrible burden, if you really think about it. However, I have a solution. When you realize that owning a true museum piece is a heavier responsibility than you are comfortable with, just one phone call to me will solve your problem.On short notice, I'd be happy to set out for Atlanta with a suitcase full of cash and the trailer I built for my other T70 . . .
Paul Wilson

John Starkey · 06-23-05, 12:44 PM

Hi. My name is John Starkey and I've researched, written about, owned and raced three Lola T70s. Johan has found and bought SL71/34, Dan Gurney's 1966 Can Am Spyder. Although it's been fitted with a coupe body subsequently, there is no doubt that he's found the real thing.

Incidentally, there are probably about ten Lola T70s still waiting to be found out there. Get looking!

John Starkey

David Pozzi · 07-07-05, 01:17 AM

John!
Nice to have you post here!
Thanks for writing those great books about Lolas!

My entry was accepted for the Monterey Historics this year, Jim Hall will be the guest of Honor, should be a fun event.
David

Johan · 07-08-05, 03:53 PM

Progress update:
I've now got the original bell housing/adapter to take a Hewland LG500 to a small block Ford. This is reputed to be the unit that came off this car, and was indeed purchased from a person that worked on the car in 1980(when it was not only converted to a coupe, but also to small block Chevy power). I feel quite lucky to have this piece. I also got (as a last resort) a set of Gurney Weslake heads, but they need repair(welding cracks). I'm looking for a better set. I also need a set of valve covers.
I also would like to have some of Chris Melia's GW valve covers that I might be able to use. Chris, if you are reading this, please let me buy some from you.
The fuel cell is being made.
I need shocks...David or Paul, what do you use ? Any part numbers? The car has an ancient set of Konis I believe.
I have 2 original doors,a nose, and a right side of the body. I have a set of gold wheels with old used tires and a set of Gray wheels with un-used(but 25 year old ) Goodyear Blue Streak Sportscar specials. This is my last 20 days worth of progress. Thanks for the help with this project !
Johan

MK -IV J6 · 07-08-05, 07:29 PM

Send the shocks back to Koni. They will rebuild them good as new no problem. I still use my original koni's (rebuilt) in all my cars.

Johan · 07-08-05, 11:15 PM

Jim,
Super idea. Thanks.

David Pozzi · 07-15-05, 05:32 PM

I sent my Koni's back to Koni to be rebuilt. Truesports used to be the dealer but that may have changed.
I have some old Armstrong shocks on the front with a 1965 date of manufacture!

Ron Earp · 07-16-05, 11:57 AM

TrueChoice in OH still does them, I've had a few done recently. Not cheap, that is for sure, and you must make sure they do everything they are supposed to - sometimes they'll skimp, particularily with older shocks where pieces are not readily available. Koni, to my knowledge, will ship them to TrueChoice, at least that is what a couple of racers have experienced.

Ron

Ron

Mark Worthington · 07-18-05, 04:50 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I also got (as a last resort) a set of Gurney Weslake heads, but they need repair(welding cracks). I'm looking for a better set. I also need a set of valve covers.
I also would like to have some of Chris Melia's GW valve covers that I might be able to use.

[/ QUOTE ]

There is a gentleman who occasionally posted on this forum who bought Dan Gurney's stock of NEW Gurney/Weslake heads. I believe he resides in Maine. Do a little searching and you may find a NOS set of heads for your Lola.

Congratulations on a great find and a wonderful car. She appears to be in very good hands.

Rex · 07-18-05, 09:45 PM

I have a NOS complete Gurney Weslake 289 weber carburetor, cylinder head set available. I bought this directly from the All American Racing shop when I had attended a SAAC national in Pasadena.

Johan · 07-18-05, 11:08 PM

Thanks for all the help with the shocks. They are indeed konis and the rears look better than the front but they are all pretty old, I would say original equipment. I will get them rebuilt. Thanks.
On the heads, thanks for the lead Mark, and the kind words. I sat in the car last night making race car noises, so we'll see.
Aluminum GT40, of course I need what you have and am interested.
Please tell me more.....!