VIN: the Picko Troberg Lola T70 Mk3B GT chassis SL76/148
History of chassis SL76/148
Chassis SL76/148 was sold via Lola agent, Jo Bonnier, to Swedish car dealer and privateer racing driver, Picko Troberg.
Troberg began racing in the Swedish Formula Junior series. In addition he campaigned GT, Rally and Touring cars, most frequently competing in British machinery.
Driving a Mini Cooper, Troberg had much success in the European Touring Car Championship. He also won the 1965 Swedish Formula 3 Championship in his Brabham BT15 and occasionally co-drove compatriot Ulf Norinder’s Ferrari 250 GTO.
In 1966, Troberg moved up to a Porsche 906 and continued to race in European Formula 3 events. He added a McLaren Elva Mk2 to his fleet in 1967.
Having not raced a great deal in 1968, Troberg purchased chassis SL76/148 for the 1969 season. The yellow and dark green Lola was backed by Pierre Robert aftershave (PR for Men) and sometimes ran under a Stockholm SVK entry.
Troberg first appeared in his T70 at the non-championship Criterium de Vitesse, a 25 lap race that took place at Dijon on May 4th. Troberg qualified third and went on to finish second behind fellow T70 driver, Paul Hawkins.
Chassis 148 was then entered for the Spa 1000km World Sportscar Championship on May 11th. Troberg was joined in the T70 by fellow Swede, Bjorn Rothstein, who, hadn’t previously raced anything much bigger than a Mini Cooper.
Despite his lack of experience, Rothstein (who started the race from twelfth) acquitted himself well and was in fifth spot after 15 laps. Rothstein came in at the 20 lap mark, at which point the mechanics decided the Lola needed its nose taping down. Troberg took over, but had dropped five places to tenth.
After completing 71 laps, Troberg and Rothstein ultimately claimed eleventh overall and fifth in the over two-litre Sports class.
Following their strong showing in Belgium, Troberg and Rothstein headed to Germany for the Nurburgring 1000km on June 1st.
Unfortunately, chassis 148 failed to start.
During Friday practice, Rothstein lost control under the bridge at the end of the main straight. He left the road at over 150mph and only missed a marshal by a couple of feet. Chassis 148 barrel rolled through fences, brush and small trees and was completely demolished. It eventually ended up back on the circuit, blocking the track.
Practice had to be stopped for half an hour while the wreckage was removed. Rothstein was taken to hospital where he was surprisingly found to be suffering no more than a cut lip and twisted vertebrae.
Picko Troberg subsequently took delivery of a new T70 Mk3B GT which was numbered SL76/148A.
Notable History
Sold to Pick Troberg (PR for Men / Stockholm SVK), Sweden
Yellow & Green
04/05/1969 IND Dijon Criterium de Vitesse (P. Troberg) 2nd oa (#5)
11/05/1969 WSC Spa 1000km (P. Troberg / B. Rothstein) 11th oa, 5th S5.0 class (#34)
01/06/1969 WSC Nurburgring 1000km (P. Troberg / B. Rothstein) DNS (#60)
Wrecked in Rothstein’s practice accident at the Nurburgring
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed
