VIN: the Ecurie Bonnier Lola T70 Mk3B GT chassis SL76/143
History of chassis SL76/143
Chassis SL70/143 was one of the 16 B-spec. T70 MK3 GTs constructed by Lola.
It was supplied new to Swedish Formula 1 driver, Jo Bonnier, whose Grand Prix career included spells at BRM, Porsche and the Rob Walker Racing Team.
Ecurie Bonnier ordered chassis 143 to replace chassis 101, an old 1967 example that the team had campaigned throughout 1968. The new car was painted the Bonnier team colours of yellow with a broad white centre stripe and single red pinstripe.
It contested a mixture of World, British and Swedish sportscar championship events in 1969 plus a smattering of big independent events as well.
Highlights of its inaugural campaign included fifth overall and first in class at the Spa 1000km World Championship race, a brace of seconds in the British Sportscar Championship and outright victory in the Paris GP at Montlhery.
Throughout 1969, Jo Bonnier was a frequent guest driver in the Scuderia Filipinetti Lola T70s. The Swiss team’s number one driver, Herbert Muller, also appeared alongside Bonnier in chassis 143.
Another guest driver in the car was future F1 great and Bonnier’s fellow Swede, Ronnie Peterson. On home soil, Peterson drove chassis 143 to third place finishes in the 1969 Swedish GP and the 1970 Interserie race at Keimola.
The car was used in an equally diverse mix of events throughout 1970. Although grids were now swamped with Porsche 917s and Ferrari 512s, the bright yellow Lola was still able to pick up some strong results. It most notably finished in the top ten at each of its three World Championship events during 1970 and also secured a pair of Interserie podiums.
With five-litre Group 4 cars made obsolete at the end of 1970, there were suddenly fewer opportunities to compete.
Chassis 143 was sold, converted to Spider bodywork and, in its new configuration, is said to have contested a couple of Interserie events.
Thereafter, the car spent 40 years in storage at a Welsh farm prior to undergoing restoration to its original specification.
Notable History
Jo Bonnier (Ecurie Bonnier)
Yellow with White & Red central stripe
30/03/1969 BSC Silverstone International Trophy (J. Bonnier) 17th oa, 7th 2.0+ class (#38)
04/04/1969 BSC Snetterton Guards Trophy (J. Bonnier) 2nd oa, 2nd S5.0 class (#54)
07/04/1969 BSC Thruxton Embassy Trophy (J. Bonnier) 2nd oa, 2nd S2.0+ class (#1)
25/04/1969 WSC Monza 1000km (J. Bonnier / H. Muller) DNF (#40)
11/05/1969 WSC Spa 1000km (J. Bonnier / H. Muller) 5th oa, 1st S5.0 class (#32)
01/06/1969 WSC Nurburgring 1000km (J. Bonnier / H. Muller) DNF (#55)
08/06/1969 IND Paris GP, Montlhery (J. Bonnier) 1st oa, 1st S class (#32)
29/06/1969 IND Norisring 200 mile (J. Bonnier) DNF (#2)
17/08/1969 IND Swedish GP, Karlskoga (R. Peterson) 3rd oa, 2nd in class (#14)
24/08/1969 NDC Keimola (M. Gregory) DNS WDN over prize money (#9)
31/08/1969 NDC Mantorp Park (J. Bonnier / M. Gregory) 6th oa, 3rd S class (#1)
14/09/1969 NDC Anderstorp (J. Bonnier) 4th oa, 3rd S class (#6)
08/11/1969 SBK Kyalami 9 Hours (J. Bonnier / R. Wisell) DNF (#2)
11/01/1970 TEM Buenos Aires 1000km (J. Bonnier / R. Wisell) DNF (#18)
18/01/1970 TEM Buenos Aires 200 mile (J. Bonnier) 5th oa (#18)
30/03/1970 BSC RAC Thruxton RAC (J. Bonnier) 3rd oa, 2nd S5.0 class (#8)
12/04/1970 WSC Brands Hatch 1000km (J. Bonnier / R. Wisell) 7th oa, 5th S5.0 class (#5)
17/05/1970 WSC Spa 1000km (J. Bonnier / R. Wisell) 10th oa, 9th S5.0 class (#33)
28/06/1970 INT Norisring (J. Bonnier) 5th oa (#5)
05/07/1970 INT Hockenheim (J. Bonnier) 3rd oa (#4)
11/07/1970 WSC Watkins Glen 6 Hours (J. Bonnier / R. Wisell) 8th oa, 7th S5.0 class (#50)
12/07/1970 CAM Watkins Glen (J. Bonnier) 11th oa, 7th S5.0 class (#50)
09/08/1970 IND Swedish GP, Karlskoga (R. Wisell) 5th oa (#15)
23/08/1970 INT Keimola (R. Peterson) 3rd oa (#14)
11/10/1970 INT Hockenheim (J. Bonnier) 8th oa, 3rd S2.0+ class (#66)
18/10/1970 IND Nurburgring (H. Muller) 5th oa, 1st SRP5.0 class (#3)
Reputedly sold and converted to Spider trim
Stored for 40 years
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
