Lola T70 Spyders
SL70/2

Dark blue with a light blue stripe. Vent slot behind front wheels, a la Team Surtees’ cars.

SL70/2 was invoiced to Ian Yates of Long Melford, Suffolk (Harold Young Racing), on March 20th, 1965, for David Hobbs to drive. The car was delivered with a 4.7 (289) Ford V8, and then it was re-engined with a 5.9 (Traco 355) Chevrolet engine.

David Hobbs had a very good 1965 season with SL70/2, winning three races with this early Mark I. He won the Tourist Trophy on 19th March at Oulton Park, but the timekeepers awarded the race to Denny Hulme in a Brabham BT8. David and his small team were very upset! (Oddly, Denny would win the race in 1966, driving one of Sid Taylor’s T70s.)

This T70 was then sold to well-known Portland racer Monte Shelton, who raced it through 1966 and 1967 although: "So many races, I can’t remember the results!"

In 1967, Monte sold the T70 through a broker who never paid him. The next owner kept the car for thirty years before selling it to Bob Erikson who has carried out a masterful restoration on the car.

In 2002, the car was sold to England.

1965:
19/3: Goodwood. Unpainted. David Hobbs. 3rd.
01/5: Tourist Trophy. Oulton Park: (Now blue.) D. Hobbs; 2nd. (Hobbs actually won the race on aggregate but the timekeepers got it wrong and the RAC refused to correct matters.)
15/5: Silverstone. International Trophy: D. Hobbs; Result unknown.
07/6: Guards Trophy, Mallory Park: D. Hobbs; Pole 49.8s, 97.58 mph. 2nd in 1st heat, 1st in 2nd heat, 1st OA.
15/8: Croft: 40 laps. D. Hobbs; 1st OA.
30/8: Guards International Trophy, Brands Hatch: 5.9 Chevrolet. D. Hobbs, #1; DNF with gearbox problems.
19/9: Mont Tremblant-St. Jovite: D. Hobbs; 3rd OA.
NOTE: The car had Studebaker stickers on each side.
25/9: Mosport: GP, Canada: D. Hobbs, #3; DNF.
10/10: North West Grand Prix, Kent: D. Hobbs; 6th in 1st heat, DNF in 2nd heat.
30/10: LA Times GP: Riverside: Hobbs; DNF.

1966:
22/8: For sale in "Autosport." Offers.

Sold through Sid Taylor to Monte Shelton, Oregon.

SCCA Nationals: M. Shelton.
Newport, Oregon: M. Shelton; RU.
Rose Cup, Portland; M. Shelton; 2nd.
30/10: Riverside GP Can Am: M. Shelton; DNF. (Overheating.)

1967:
18/7: Kent: M. Shelton; 11th.
Sold to an owner who kept it for 32 years.

1999: Sold to Bob Erickson.
2000: Restored with bodywork from original moulds.
2001: For sale.
2002: Sold to Frank Sytner, U.K.