1970 Lola T153
- Engine
- Turbocharged Ford V8
- Colour
- Sunoco livery
The Lola T153 (chassis SL 153/6), invoiced to Roger Penske on 2 April 1970, was the sole example of its type and the machine with which Mark Donohue secured a runner-up finish at the 1970 Indianapolis 500. Distinguished from its T152 predecessor by a turbocharged Ford V-8, two-wheel drive, and revised suspension, the car also competed at the inaugural California 500 and in early 1971 USAC rounds before a significant accident at Indianapolis with driver David Hobbs. After passing through several owners, it was fully restored in Indianapolis and subsequently appeared at Goodwood twice, driven by David Donohue, Chad McQueen, and Richard Hamlin.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$500,000 – US$700,000
- 1970-04-02 → 1971Factory deliveryRoger Penskefull documentation
Chassis invoiced directly from Lola; used as the primary race car for Mark Donohue in the 1970 and early 1971 USAC seasons before being sold after the Indianapolis crash.
- 1971 → 1995Private saleLeonard Fasspartial documentation
Acquired the T153 from Penske alongside an older Lola; both were entered but never raced at Ontario and Phoenix. The car remained in his possession until his death in 1995.
- 1995 →InheritanceFass's sonpartial documentation
Took ownership following his father's passing in 1995; subsequently transferred the car to Chuck Haines.
- → 2003-06-01Acquisition unknownChuck Hainespartial documentation
Based in Manchester, Missouri; intended to restore the car but instead kept it in storage until selling it in mid-2003.
- 2003-06-01 →Private saleJohn Darlingtonpartial documentation
Carmel, Indiana-based owner who commissioned a full restoration at Walter Goodwin's Race Car Restorations in Indianapolis; wrote an account of the car's condition at acquisition.
Competition
- 1970USAC1970 Indianapolis 500Driver: Mark Donohue2nd
Car ran in Sunoco livery and was considered a pre-race favorite; Donohue stayed in contention throughout despite Al Unser dominating the field.
- 1970-09-01USAC1970 California 500Driver: Mark DonohueDNF — engine failure
Inaugural running at Ontario Motor Speedway; overheating trouble identified in pre-race testing persisted into the race, causing the engine to fail after just a few laps.
- 1971USAC1971 USAC Phoenix raceDriver: Mark Donohue6th
Season opener; car qualified in 9th position and finished 6th.
- 1971USAC1971 USAC Trenton raceDriver: Mark DonohueDNF — transmission failure
- 1971USAC1971 Indianapolis 500Driver: David HobbsDNF — crash on lap 111
Transmission gear failure in the fourth corner on lap 111 caused Hobbs to slow rapidly; Rick Muther lost control attempting to avoid the stricken car, struck the wall, and rebounded into the Lola. Hobbs was uninjured and the car was repaired afterward.
- 20042004 Goodwood Festival of SpeedDriver: David Donohue
Car ran the hillclimb with both David Donohue (Mark's son) and Chad McQueen sharing driving duties following completion of its restoration.
- 20152015 Goodwood Festival of SpeedDriver: Richard Hamlin
Driven up the hill by Richard Hamlin under ownership of the current collector.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1971RepairPenske Racing
Structural and bodywork repairs carried out by Penske's team following the multi-car accident at the 1971 Indianapolis 500, after which the car was described as largely undamaged.
- 2003RestorationWalter Goodwin's Race Car Restorations
Comprehensive restoration undertaken at a specialist Indianapolis shop; car was displayed mid-restoration at the Mark Donohue Reunion at Watkins Glen in September 2003 and completed before the 2004 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
At purchase the car was largely intact but required a replacement nose cone, some missing minor components, bodywork attention, a repaint, and a thorough clean.
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