1966 Lola T70 Mk II Spyder
- Engine
- Chevrolet V8, approximately 500 bhp
- Colour
- White with gold accents
Lola T70 Mk II Spyder, chassis SL71/28, is one of 33 lightened second-generation open roadsters built. Delivered to US distributor John Mecom in February 1966, it passed briefly through Chaparral Cars before being purchased by Woody Young of Pennsylvania, who campaigned it with driver Bob 'Jake' Bucher during the 1966 SCCA season, recording wins at Cumberland, Vineland, and the Watkins Glen Trophy and 500 races. A mid-season crash sidelined the car; it later received a comprehensive three-year restoration costing over $110,000.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$296,500
- 1966-02-01 → 1966-03-01Factory deliveryJohn Mecomfull documentation
US distributor based in Texas who received the car without an engine; forwarded it to Jim Hall of Chaparral Cars for evaluation the following month.
- 1966-03-01 → 1966-04-01Acquisition unknownJim Hallpartial documentation
Chaparral Cars founder who received the car apparently to assess it; no engine was fitted during this brief period.
- 1966-04-01 →Private saleWoody Youngpartial documentation
Pennsylvania-based owner who had a Ford V-8 fitted and engaged Bob Bucher as driver for the 1966 SCCA season; car was reportedly sidelined after a mid-season accident.
- 2020 →Acquisition unknownCurrent consignorfull documentation
Commissioned a comprehensive three-year mechanical and cosmetic restoration by The Vintage Connection in Oklahoma City at a cost exceeding $110,000; invoices on file support the work undertaken.
Competition
- 1966SCCACumberland NationalDriver: Bob Bucher1st
Part of a strong 1966 campaign in the northeastern SCCA circuit; car ran in white with blue stripes and displayed race number 29.
- 1966SCCAVineland NationalDriver: Bob Bucher1st
Another SCCA national victory during the 1966 season under the Binghamton Auto Racing Club banner.
- 1966SCCAWatkins Glen Trophy RaceDriver: Bob Bucher1st
One of multiple victories recorded at Watkins Glen during the 1966 campaign.
- 1966SCCAWatkins Glen 500Driver: Bob Bucher1st
Second victory recorded at Watkins Glen in the same season.
- 1966Canadian Sports Car ChampionshipLabatt 50Driver: Bob Bucher14th
Held at St. Jovite, Quebec; a modest result compared to the car's domestic SCCA performances that season.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1966Engine rebuild
Original Ford V-8 believed replaced by a Chevrolet V-8 following a mid-season crash; car did not subsequently return to competition.
Timing and exact circumstances are uncertain; treated as an approximate mid-1966 event.
- 2020RestorationThe Vintage Connection
Comprehensive three-year mechanical and cosmetic restoration encompassing a rebuilt Hewland LG 500 gearbox, refurbishment of all ancillary mechanical systems, suspension, brakes, and the McClendon tub, plus repainting in the original white with gold accents. Total expenditure exceeded $110,000.
Workshop located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Work is documented by invoices. Restoration completed prior to the auction offering.
- —Engine rebuild
Chevrolet V-8 overhauled in a restoration prior to the current owner's tenure; found to have strong compression and close to 500 horsepower on dynamometer testing.
Date of this earlier restoration is not stated in the prose.
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