1965 Lola T70 MKI Roadster

This Lola T70, chassis number SL70/15, is currently owned by Brian Johnson, the lead singer of AC/DC. It is the last MK. I built.

The car was delivered on August 12th of 1965 to Haskell Wexler of Haskell Automotive in Hollywood, California. It came equipped with a Ford 289 cubic-inch engine and two gearboxes - LG500-15 and LG500-16. The lead driver was Ronnie Bucknum who was also a factory Ford driver in the GT40 program. When Bucknum was unable to drive, those duties were handled by Davey Jordan.

The car, finished in medium blue and white, was sponsored by Russkit, a maker of slot cars at the time. Unique features to this car include knock-off wheels from Schroder, which are still fitted to the car.

It was hoped the car would be ready to race at the 1965 Monterey Grand Prix at Laguna Seca, CA, but it would have to wait as the car was not ready in time. The next race was at the LA Times GP at Riverside, but unfortunately mechanical problems resulted in a non-start. So its first official start was at the next race, at Las Vegas on the Stardust Raceway where Bucknum finished 4th.

The car competed during the 1966 season, but was often plagued by problems. The only recorded finish for the team was at the Laguna Seca USRRC event where Davey Jordan finished 4th. During the 1966 season, the car was repainted white and fitted with a MK.III style nose but without the headlamps.

After the 1966 season, the car was put up for sale and purchased by Brian O'Neil of American Racing Motors. O'Neil had back-to-back second place finishes at Fernandina and Savannah, and a victory at West Palm Beach and Osceola during 1967.

The car was later sold to Bob Bondurant for use as a camera car in the film 'Winning' starring Paul Newman. After the film, the car went to William Fuller who raced the car in minor SCCA events during the 1971, 1972, and 1973 season.

The next recorded owner was Dr. Gilles St. Pierre of Quebec, Canada, who sold the car on to Curtis Jackson of Atlanta, GA in September of 1987 as a coupe. During this time period, the car may have been used as a road car.

In 1998, the car was sold to Skip Shattuck with the coupe body still installed. Skip removed the coupe body, purchased a new set of bodywork from the original suppliers in England and stayed in this condition until recently sold to its present owner, Brian Johnson. The car, at the time, was a chassis with new bodywork in white gel coat and the suspension, brakes and most other mechanical components in boxes.

The car was given a complete restoration and now competing at many historic races and circuits throughout Europe and the United States.

Powering the car is a period Ford 341 cubic-inch engine and tuned to produce in excess of 640 horsepower. There is an original LG500 4-speed gearbox.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2012