Lola project

Lola Mk6 GT Project: November 2019 Background The Lola Mk 6 GT is one of the most technically significant GT racing cars ever constructed. It provided the Ford Motor Company with the template to create the GT40 and indeed the Lola T70, paving the way for everything else that followed. Just 3 cars were built in period and all survive; with 2 in the States and 1 in Japan. Each example is highly prized by their long-term owners and would carry a value of £2m+ in the unlikely event should one come up for sale. In 2000, RH Classics were privileged to rebuild the 2nd example, the 1st ‘production’ car which carried chassis number LGT-1. This car featured at Le Mans 1963, driven by Richard Attwood and David Hobbs, running as high as 9th, before crashing out due to gearbox issues. On completion of the restoration, the car went on to race successfully, before being sold to Japan. At the time of the restoration, we created a brand-new set of body moulds, as the originals weren’t initially available to us. After some time, they eventually did surface so we were able to create a ‘composite’ body mould incorporating elements of both original and new sets. The moulds comprised front & rear clip, central section, including ‘screens & doors, which we retain. We also had the foresight to comprehensively photograph the car, before, during and after the restoration was completed, meaning we have access to a substantial photographic archive, giving a unique insight into the construction of the car above and below the surface. This Lola has for more than 50 years been nothing more than a footnote in racing history and we think that it has sat in the shadows for too long. We believe there’s a fantastic opportunity to rewrite history and share this beautiful and significant car with a wider audience, both on the race track and indeed for the road…

The cars The three cars produced by Lola in 1963 are pictured below; in the form they survive today. The first, LGT-P, has been owned by former Shelby American driver Allen Grant since 1965 and is configured as a narrow bodied ‘street’ specification car, just as it first appeared at the Olympia Racing Car Show in January 1963. This car carries a Ford 260 engine and Colotti transaxle, as originally constructed. The next car is LGT-1, the first production car, seen here as restored by RH Classics in 2000. This Ford 289 powered car differs from its original ‘as built’ specification with the addition of wider rear clip, extra cooling ducts and use of Hallibrand wheels, as fitted to Cobra’s and GT40’s in period. This car competed at Le Mans in 1963 and now lives quietly in Japan. And finally, LGT-2, the car raced in period by John Mecom Jr, fitted with 5.7 litre Chevrolet power, much to the discomfort of the Ford Motor Company. It competed at Bahamas Speed Week in 1963 and was a regular fixture in US domestic racing during the mid 60’s. Sold by RM Sothebys in August 2014. A comprehensive history of LGT-2 can be seen on the RM Sotheby’s site. https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo14/monterey/lots/r167-1963-lola-mk-6-gt/181140

Build Options 1: GT40 Kit based, with Lola style bodyshell: £120k +£10k IVA costs Various engine & gearbox options available, from crate SBF Ford or Chevrolet to bespoke build, using period, date coded parts. This could increase the completed price by up to £30k, subject to final specification. Estimated timeline: 18 months to build Estimated delivery date: Spring 2022 Pro’s • It’s the cheapest option in terms of initial outlay • We can use pre-engineered underpinnings as the basis of the build – possibly Tornado • A ‘GT40’ kit would offer choice on how we specify the car; i.e. brakes, wheels etc Con’s • Potential issues with mating a Lola body to a GT40 monocoque – these remain unknowns at this stage of the project • What would the car be registered as? • IVA registration for road use is an unknown quantity • The completed car could be difficult to sell on • Ultimately, it’s a nice, one off replica, based on a kit car • It won’t be identified as a Lola or anything connected with the factory • It’s likely the completed car would be worth less than the build cost: £100k - £120k

2: Fully engineered ‘RH Classics’ constructed Replica, featuring a bespoke chassis: £200k + £10k IVA costs Various engine & gearbox options available, from crate SBF Ford or Chevrolet to bespoke build, using period, date coded parts. This could increase the completed price by up to £30k, subject to final specification. Estimated timeline: 2 years Estimated delivery date: Autumn 2022 Pro’s • The car would be bespoke built and well-engineered, rather than a compromised combination of kit car originating parts • It would be the sole example of its type Con’s • One-off engineering costs would have to be incorporated into the build cost • What would it be registered as? • IVA registration for road use is an unknown quantity • Ultimately, it’s still a nice, one-off replica, albeit bespoke built • It won’t be identified as a Lola or anything connected with the factory • It’s likely the completed car would worth less than the build cost: £120 - £150k 3: Toolroom recreation, featuring Lola built chassis, registered and badged as a Broadley Automotive Mk6 GT: £150k + £10k IVA costs Various engine & gearbox options available, from crate SBF Ford or Chevrolet to bespoke build, using period, date coded parts. This could increase the completed price by up to £30k, subject to final specification. Estimated timeline: 18 months to build Estimated delivery date: Autumn 2021 Pro’s • It’s the real thing and will be identified a Broadley Automotive Mk 6, so will effectively be a continuation of the original 1963 production run • It is highly likely appreciate in value – realistically £250 -£300k, possibly more as an FIA registered competition car • One off engineering costs will be avoided • The completed car will be genuinely rare and desirable • We will deliver a properly engineered car at a highly advantageous price • Play a part in Lola continuation history! Con’s • Not the cheapest option of the 3 scenarios • IVA registration for road use is an unknown quantity • We would need to consider limited series production to make it financially viable, so the car will form part of a very small production run, rather than being truly unique

Toolroom/continuation car market values As this is a rather unique project, we thought it might be useful to give some context to the current market. The below listed cars represent a cross section of similar ‘tool room’ constructed continuations; either road registered or purely track focused, FIA papered cars. • Superformance GT40 via Le Mans Coupes (Nigel Hulme): £155k + • Cobra FIA HTP (NOT AC registered) Class GTS and Period F (not K): £245k + • Gelscoe toolroom Ford GT40 with FIA HTP: £350k + • Safir Ford GT40 Mk 5: £250k - £300k • Lola T70 Mk3b brand new continuation cars: £285k plus VAT • Lola T70 Second hand race cars: £400k + • Birrane era Lola T70’s: £500-£600k • Lola badged T70 continuations from the 1980’s: £750k + • Ecurie Ecosse XJ 13 LM69: £800k - £1m subject to specification Well-constructed, fundamentally period-correct cars are much in demand and can represent a good investment, especially if registered correctly; as road or competition cars. Those with genuine, credible links to the original manufacturer are especially desirable. We would like to acknowledge the use of period images in this piece. They may not be used elsewhere without the prior permission of the original copyright holders.