My Car Quest

March 29, 2024

At Amelia Island – A Beautiful Race Car

by Mike –

I am leaving Florida today and I just passed Sir Stirling Moss in the Jacksonville, Florida airport. He couldn’t keep up with me.

I am now in the air somewhere between Jacksonville, Florida and Dallas, Texas.

Lola T70

This Lola T70 caught my eye at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, maybe because I have always admired their shape and maybe because of the color.

1969 Lola T70 MK3B Race Car

Mike De Udy and Frank Gardner raced this Lola in the 1970s. In their third outing at Vila Real Portugal, Gardner set a lap record of 104 MPH and finished second overall.

Lola T70

That same year, the car posted three first place finishes and seven other podium finishes. They went on to win the Spring Box Championship in South Africa.

Lola T70

In the spring of 1970, the car was entered in the 24 Hours of Sebring with De Udy and Mike “The Bike” Hailwood driving. Hailwood had a tendency to crash cars, at least street cars.

It retired with a blown engine and later was leased to Solar Pictures (Steve McQueen’s company) for use in the movie “Le Mans”.

I suspect it was painted to look like a Ferrari for the movie. It looks better now than in the movie I’m sure.

Lola T70

Here is another Lola T70 with a claim it was in the movie “Le Mans”.


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Comments

  1. Now, this looks like a race car. I did not know that Mike Hailwood also raced cars.

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