One to Buy: ex-David Piper / Solar Productions 1969 Lola T70 Mk3B GT
For 1967, Lola created a Coupe version of the highly successful T70 which for the previous two seasons had proven so effective in Can-Am, the Unites States Road Racing Championship and the British Sports Car Championship.
Having initially been conceived for the Group 6 Prototype class (where it went up against the likes of Ferrari’s 330 P4 and 412 P and the Mk4 and Mk2 Ford GT40), the T70 Mk3 GT caught a break when the production requirement for Group 4 Sports cars was slashed from 50 to 25 cars for the 1968 season. Homologation was duly approved on February 2nd 1968 and for the next couple of seasons the T70 proved itself the fastest Group 4 car around.
An improved Mk3B GT was introduced for 1969 which famously won first time out at the 1969 Daytona 24 Hours. 16 examples were built of what remains one of the era’s most beautiful Sports racing cars.
Currently on offer at the Fiskens showroom in central London is a spectacular example of the T70 Mk3B GT: chassis SL76/150.
Originally delivered to noted British privateer, David Piper, SL76/150 was raced far and wide throughout the 1969 and ‘70 seasons, during which it most notably collected outright victories at Montlhery (the Coupes de Vitesse and Paris GP) and the Hockenheim Solituderennen.
The car also appeared in the 1970 Solar Productions movie, Le Mans, after which it was sold to Frenchman Pierre-Henri Archambeaud who campaigned it in 1971 and ‘72.
Today, this fabulous T70 is presented in David Piper’s iconic BP green livery and is being sold complete with a replica body to ensure the accompanying original can be preserved.
Reprinted below is Fiskens’ description:
Delivered new to famed privateer racer David Piper in iconic green livery
Competition history with Piper, Richard Attwood, Jean-Pierre Beltoise, Hans Herrmann and more
Featured in Steve McQueen’s Iconic film Le Mans
Multiple appearances at Le Mans Classic and similar events
One of the best and most original MKIIIB coupes
First delivered to the great privateer racer David Piper, this is an outstanding Lola T70 MK IIIB coupé, one of the best and most original in existence, immaculately prepared, and immediately recognizable in its iconic green livery.
Chassis SL76/150 was delivered to Piper in March 1969, one of the last T70 MK IIIBs to be built, and finished in the famous BP green and fitted with a 5 litre Chevrolet V-8 by Traco. “It was fabulous,” was Piper’s verdict, “It was a great car, it still is…I loved the Lola.”
Famed for the Mk VI GT that grew into the GT40, Lola led the way in quantity production of racing cars, suitable for privateers like Piper to take on the factory titans. Masterpiece of architect designer Eric Broadley, the T70 MK IIIB coupé was a completely different beast versus earlier T70s, gaining its ultimate honour with victory in the 1969 Daytona 24 hours.
Piper campaigned her extensively in 1969, taking victory at Montlhéry in the Coupes de Vitesse among other podiums. For 1970 she ran mainly with invited drivers under Piper’s banner including the 1970 Le Mans winners Richard Attwood and Hans Herrmann, Matra’s Jean-Pierre Beltoise, Ferrari veteran Mike Parkes and more.
Among other accomplishments she recorded wins at the Solituderennen (Herrmann), Coupe Magny-Cours (Beltoise), Paris GP Montlhéry (Attwood), and Coupe de Dijon-Prenois (Attwood), in the latter event beating Piper’s Porsche 917 K to the line by just one second – Attwood comments “I think David was a bit pissed off about that!”
Chassis SL76/150 was loaned to Solar Productions in 1970 making a cameo appearance in the iconic Steve McQueen film Le Mans – Piper who both drove and supplied cars for the film gave strict instructions that only he and Attwood were to drive the Lola.
In 1971 she was acquired by Pierre-Henri Archambeaud, who campaigned her extensively in French events for two seasons – taking four victories in events at Montlhéry with other podium finishes. Bought back by Piper in ‘75, she was rebuilt but not raced, and sold on again in ‘79.
With continuous ownership history since then in the USA, Sweden, France and the UK, this MK IIIB coupé has retained its historic integrity, being among the most original examples, retaining its original chassis and body.
Acquired in 2007 by a prolific historic racer, she has appeared in suitable events including Silverstone Classic, multiple Le Mans Classics and Masters Series events. Prepared by Nigel Medcalf’s Moto Historics, a replica body was also commissioned to preserve the original.
Surely one of the most beautiful sports racers ever, this T70 MK IIIB is a phenomenal race car and will be a superb proposition for the owner-racer as in period. Wearing her iconic Piper livery, she has star power and will be eligible for a wide range of historic racing events.
