Twin LeMans and Monza Winning Lola-Mazda T616s at Russo and Steele Monterey

July 10, 2014 by Russo & Steele

Scottsdale, Arizona (July 07, 2014) – To committed enthusiasts, Monterey, California is the undisputed hub of the classic-car auction and vintage-racing worlds each year during mid-August. With our early line-up of vehicles already shaping up to beat all expectations as our strongest to date on the Monterey Peninsula, we are bringing the kind of race-bred excitement unavailable anywhere else with a pair of screaming Lola-Mazda T616 Group C sports racers from 1984.

Developed from the Group C T600 marking Lola's drive to regain international supremacy, the T616 of 1984 accomplished its singular purpose by winning the brutal 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world's most important endurance race. Brimming with advanced technologies including a carbon-fiber composite structure and cutting-edge aerodynamics, the T616 was selected by the Jim Busby/BF Goodrich racing team for the 1984 racing season. Power was supplied by Mazda's new 13B rotary racing engine developing over 300 horsepower. Following Daytona and Miami, the cars offered here, Chassis T616 H.U. -2 (Number 68), and Chassis T616 H.U. -3 (Number 67), went on to rewrite the history books.

Car number 68, (Chassis T616 H.U. -2), scored a class win and 10th overall at Le Mans, an historic first win there for a Japanese engine manufacturer. The other T616 offered here, Car 67 (Chassis T616 H.U. -3), won its class at the prior Monza 1,000-kilometer enduro and finished third in class and 12th overall at the 1984 Le Mans.

Some 20 years after their historic 1984 season, both of the 'Twin Lolas' were restored by Jim Busby and Rick Knoop, both of whom co-drove the cars in period. Both are race-ready, offered with exceptional spares, and well-known to racing fans for their many classic entries including the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Monterey Historics, appropriately held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Ready to go and steeped in racing history, the 'Twin Lolas' now stand ready for you to share the glory!

Learn more about the victorious 1984 Lola T616 sports racers and our many other outstanding feature consignments on our sale website and contact us to make advance bidder arrangements for this must-attend event. Get ready to join us from August 14th to the 16th to experience the refreshing Russo and Steele difference at what promises to be our strongest Monterey auction yet! For further supporting documentation, high-resolution images or more information, please contact Darin Roberge at darin@russoandsteele.com

About Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auctions

One of the nation's premier collector-car auction houses, Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auctions continues to set records and attract clients worldwide. In addition to offering stellar collector automobiles, our unique auction experience is simply unattainable anywhere else. Auctions include our signature event in Scottsdale, Arizona every January, followed by June at Newport Beach, August at Monterey, and September's Las Vegas auction. For additional information, please visit www.russoandsteele.com or call 602.252.2697.