VIN: the Picko Troberg Lola T70 Mk3B GT chassis SL76/148A
History of chassis SL76/148A
Chassis SL76/148A was the second T70 Mk3B GT supplied to Swedish privateer, Picko Troberg. It replaced Troberg’s earlier example, SL76/148, which had been wrecked by Bjorn Rothstein during practice for the Nurburgring 1000km on May 30th 1969.
Picko Troberg was a successful car dealer. He began racing in the Swedish Formula Junior Championship and won the Swedish Formula 3 title in 1965.
Troberg was an extremely versatile driver who variously competed in single seaters, touring cars, GTs and sports cars. In 1966 he acquired a Porsche 906 and also raced in the European F3 series. A McLaren Elva Mk2 was added to Troberg’s fleet in 1967.
Like his previous T70, Troberg’s new Lola was painted yellow and dark green. Backing once again came from the Pierre Robert aftershave brand (PR for Men).
Chassis 148A was delivered in time for the PR Trophy Race at Anderstorp which took place on June 29th. The 20 lap contest was a support event for main event, a Formula 3 race won by Ronnie Peterson.
Despite a blown sump gasket, Troberg qualified fourth. Having initially dropped a couple of positions at the start, he eventually recovered to finish where he started.
Two weeks later, Troberg entered Peterson to race 148A at Magny Cours where the young Swede would also be contesting another F3 event. The 75 lap race was Peterson’s first in a sports car; he qualified on pole and set a new lap record on his way to a convincing win.
Following Peterson’s victory at Magny Cours, Troberg decided to have him race 148A at the brand new Osterreichring circuit two weeks later (July 27th). Unfortunately, when Peterson was lying third, a radius rod failure caused the car to have a major high speed accident. Peterson was unharmed, but chassis 148A was a write off.
The wrecked remains were returned to Lola where the engine and gearbox were used to construct a new car: chassis SL76/148B.
Chassis 148B (covered separately) was sold to British privateer, Barrie Smith.
Picko Troberg subsequently switched focus to running his touring car team and only occasionally raced in sports cars thereafter.
Notable History
Sold to Pick Troberg (PR for Men / Stockholm SVK), Sweden
Yellow & Green
29/06/1969 IND Anderstorp (P. Troberg) 4th oa, 2nd S2.0+ class (#16)
14/07/1969 IND Magny-Cours (R. Peterson) 1st oa, 1st 2.0+ class (#197)
27/07/1969 IND Osterreichring Eroffnungsrennen (R. Peterson) DNF (#22)
Wrecked in Peterson’s crash at the Osterreichring
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed
