Vintage Lola Race Cars!

Mike I · #1 (**permalink**) 11-16-2002, 09:51 AM

I've just had the best morning.

Considering the fact that I should've already been in Lutz for the Reptile Roundup, I can't really be too disappointed with the way things worked out.

A friend of mine recently introduced me to a guy in my area who builds vintage Lola T-70 (and other models) "continuation" cars out of a small shop at the back of his property. My buddy had called me last week and asked me if I wanted to come with him to witness the latest customer car roar to life, but I had to turn him down because I had other things to take care of. Then he said he'd be going back again this weekend, the customer was coming in from CO to see the nearly finished product for the first time and take posession of it. Again I turned him down because I planned on being on the road to the Roundup. Well, after finding out that Roundup events were being moved to Sunday, I quickly got in touch with my friend and let him know I'd be available to go with him to the race shop. Well, I don't have to tell you guys, I spent a couple of hours there this morning, watching the new owner drool over his new toy.....these cars are as cool as anything out there, new or old.

The guy who owns the shop has been into racing for a long time, and told me some personal stories about Shelby, Ken Miles, Bob Bondurant and other notable racers of that era.

All in all, a very interesting morning, and the best part is, I have an open invite to come back anytime. If I can swing it, next week I may be able to take my car there and do a photo shoot with my car next to the Lola before it gets delivered.

Mike

ROSS WEAVER · #2 (**permalink**) 11-16-2002, 11:13 AM

Mike I,

How about taking some pictures when you go over there again. That way the rest of us can drool too.

Ross

bonyhadi · #3 (**permalink**) 11-16-2002, 12:23 PM

ditto, pics plus name and address would be much appreciated!!

speed220mph · #4 (**permalink**) 11-16-2002, 03:25 PM

If he's building Lola T-70's maybe there's a McLaren M8B or C in the works? I have a shot straight down on Bruce McLaren as he was bringing his M8B back into the pits at Mid-Ohio after practice. And I remember standing in the pits at Road Atlanta talking with Eric Broadly. Lengends! These were great cars.

Mike I · #5 (**permalink**) 11-20-2002, 06:09 AM

Guys,

Sorry for taking so long getting back to you. I haven't been able to get back to the guys shop yet to take pix, but here are a few links to show you what he's building. These are links to sites showing T-70 Mk III-B Coupes, he's also building the open top T-70s as well. The car he has just completed looks identical to these, and being a former aircraft mechanic and inspector, I can tell you the construction quality is as high as any aircraft I've ever seen, including F-14s.

Bony, please understand, I've only been to his shop twice so far. I don't believe he advertises other than word of mouth, no website that I know of, and I don't want to breach his trust by posting that info on a public site. Right now I have a standing invite to come back any time, I think you can appreciate my not wanting to put myself in persona non grata status...

Lola T-70 Mk III-B Coupe (Red)

Lola T-70 Mk III-B Coupe (Blue)

Mike

Tom, to answer your question about the possibility of him building McLarens in the future, I would seriously doubt it, he's a real Lola guy (he's owned 38 of them!). What I did find out though is that he may be producing GT-40s before too long....and I want one real bad!!

TOM ATLAS · #6 (**permalink**) 05-04-2005, 02:37 PM

Hello ya'll, I am the guy that had Mac build the Lola T70 Coupe you all are talking about. I currently race the car all over the U.S. in vintage events. Mac did a great job on the car. After some frustrating times, the car has performed well and is a star in the paddock. The car has appeared in a movie and been featured in vintage racing publications.

Vintage racing is alive and well. There are about 15 of these beasts running in the U.S. along with many of the Can Am cars of the 1960's. Victory Lane Magazine is the center of it all for info on the sport and can be viewed at their web site.

Hotfingrs · #7 (**permalink**) 05-04-2005, 03:09 PM

Just throwing this out, anyone interested is a set of rear wheels off a T55 Lola. These are off a car I used to race back in the late 60's and have just been sitting around. The wheels are magnesium and still have the Blue Streak Specials on them.

Johan · #8 (**permalink**) 05-05-2005, 05:49 AM

Hey Atlas, sounds neat. Tell us about your car and show some pictures. Please ? I wish you would consider coming to the Willis Races.
I know Mac. nice guy.

computerworks · #9 (**permalink**) 05-05-2005, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TOM ATLAS

....Victory Lane Magazine is the center of it all for info on the sport and can be viewed at their web site.

http://www.victorylane.com/

Mike I · #10 (**permalink**) 05-05-2005, 07:48 AM

Hi Tom, the car I saw in Mac's shop was painted yellow and the new owner I met had flown in from CO, was that you? If so, glad to see you respond and happy that you are enjoying that beautiful machine.

Mike

Mike I · #11 (**permalink**) 05-06-2005, 08:38 AM

Tom e-mailed me and attached a few pictures of his car, along with a list of items that needed to be fixed after taking possession of it, including a front brake rotor that was found to be .070" too thick. Apparently, when the rotor heated up and expanded, it wedged itself into the caliper and put him into the wall.....yikes!

Anyway, he got lots of help from some of the other racers and crew workers, who thrashed and got him back out on the track to finish the event. Nice to know the racing community still takes care of their own!

Here's a picture of his car out on the track at Hallett, OK.

Tom's Lola T-70 Mark III-B

He also mentioned, for those that have run there, his best lap time was 1:20.7

Thanks for the feedback Tom, it was nice to get an update on your car!

Mike