Penske T70s

[Gerald Swan]

Just a heads-up to let you all know I've just put an article by noted Lola author (and member of this Forum) John Starkey all about the Penske T70s and the mysteries of who drove what and when.

You can view it in the Scrapbook section,
http://www.lolaheritage.co.uk/scrapbook/036/036_page1.htm, and I'm sure John will appreciate any comments or contributions you might have.

Gerald.

[Johan]

Nice informative article.

"SL71/47 is documented, through a bill of sale that I have seen, as being sold from Penske's team headquarters on March 29th, 1969 to John Marr, who kept it for several years before selling it to Nick Engles. I have spoken to both gentlemen and both remember having owned it. John Marr distinctly remembers seeing the car at the New York Auto Show and talking to Mark Donohue on the phone after seeing an Ad in, he thinks, "Autoweek" for the Lola. John Marr remembers Mark Donohue telling him that the Lola was: "raced just a few times by George Follmer. Follmer crashed the car, it was then retired" and later used as a show car in the 1969 New York Auto Show". John Marr then recalls going to Philadelphia from New York, following Donohue in his "hot rodded 1967 Camaro" and ending up at the team's headquarters, where he viewed, and then bought, the car."

I can't imagine anything neater than trying to follow Mark in a Camaro to go look at his T70 for sale. I bet that no matter hor quick it was, that was a long trip for Mr. Marr.

[Napolis]

Very nice article!

Two minor points:

"(where is the chassis plate? Has it surfaced on another chassis? )"

SL 71-32 has been registered with DMV authorities continuously since 1970 and that chassis # has never surfaced or passed through customs any where in the world except as as the car I own nor could it.

"Jim Hall saw it at Goodwood in 1998-Said he put the spoiler on it in 1966."

I met Jim Hall in 98 at Goodwood when I was there with my MK-IV J6 not my Lola SL 71-32 but we did discuss my Lola and he remembered putting the spoiler on it in 1966.

[LolaJudd]

The three World Sportscar Championship races that were held in North America in 1969.

1969 Daytona 24 Hours

# 6 Lola T70 Mk.3B GT #SL76/139 – Chevrolet LS1/Traco V8/90° 2v OHV 4965cc

Driven by: Mark Donohue (USA)/Chuck Parsons (USA)

Result: winner - 626 laps (159.756 kph), margin: 30 laps (over another Lola Chevrolet...not from Penske)

Grid: 2nd(1:52.7)

Tires: Goodyear

http://racingsportscars.com/photo/1969/ ... 02-006.jpg

1969 Twelve Hours of Sebring

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwJQ44aIFy4

# 9 car

Result: did not finish (Radius arm mounting) - 96 laps

Grid: 2nd(2:40.92)

Driven by: Ronnie Bucknum (USA)/Mark Donohue (USA)

http://racingsportscars.com/photo/1969/ ... 22-009.jpg

http://racingsportscars.com/photo/1969/ ... 22-dk4.jpg

1969 Wakins Glen 6 hours

Penske's car doesn't show up

http://wsrp.ic.cz/wsc1969.html

[LolaJudd]

Lola T70 Mk III B Penske Special

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/1368 ... ecial.html

[Napolis]

Very nice article!

Two minor points:

"(where is the chassis plate? Has it surfaced on another chassis? )"

SL 71-32 has been registered with DMV authorities continuously since 1970 and that chassis # has never surfaced or passed through customs any where in the world except as as the car I own nor could it.

"Jim Hall saw it at Goodwood in 1998-Said he put the spoiler on it in 1966."

I met Jim Hall in 98 at Goodwood when I was there with my MK-IV J6 not my Lola SL 71-32 but we did discuss my Lola and he remembered putting the spoiler on it in 1966.

Lola also issued a replacement chassis plate to me in the early 70ies stamped SL 71-32 which has been affixed to the chassis since then.

[Johan]

All good stuff, but I hope you bring it to Mosport !

http://www.lolaheritage.co.uk/news/news241/241.htm

[Napolis]

All good stuff, but I hope you bring it to Mosport !

http://www.lolaheritage.co.uk/news/news241/241.htm

Humm. I think my car was the one that won there in 66. I will try to come.

Best

[Johan]

I've never been. My car would be for display or some lunchtime laps. I'll sit out the race with you and drink wine or something. Always wanted to do that !

[Writer]

The one person who was a member of the Penske team in 1966-67 that I could never find to talk to was Peter Reinhart.

I did hear that he'd returned to Europe and, at one time, had mangaed the ATS F1 team. Does anyone know of his present whereabouts?

Appy Thanksgiving!

John Starkey

[sunoco]

Here's a recent photo of 75/124. This was Donohue's 1967 Can Am entry. This was one of the four lightweight spyders made by Lola. Donohue finished tied for third place with Surtees that year.

[Johan]

Your car sure looks great Pat. I hope you still intend to take it out and race it occasionally. You won Amelia because of your race patina !

[sunoco]

Johan,

You know better than anyone the constant internal debate about racing the cars or displaying them only. Since it is winter and the snow is falling here I'm leaning towards the display side of the argument. Perhaps, once the weather warms, I'll be convinced to get it out on the track again. Like Turn 6 at Road America.

Your car is truly a gem among all the great cars at the Shelby Museum in Boulder. I'm glad you let them display it for everyone to enjoy.


All the best,
Pat

[Johan]

Thanks Pat. I have found a solution to it I think:
Have an original car to display and use for light racing duty like Goodwood Festival or Targa 66 or Can Am at Mosport or Wine Country, because to race it hard would be to invite it to fall apart or crash, and then to have a serial numbered Lola continuation T70 to race away to my hearts content in events such as the KIC or Zippo. I am starting to agree with Jim Glickenhause about the demise of originals in historic racing but it is bound to happen as the cars consume themselves...