Lola T70 Spyders
SL71/31

SL71/31 was sold to Denny Hulme for Sid Taylor to drive in early 1966. It was built up by Sid Taylor's mechanic (Ron Bennett) at the Lola Works and a 5.0-liter Chevrolet engine installed first.

/31 was raced in 1966 with a 5.9-liter engine No: T.S.7. (Team Surtees) fitted.

Denny Hulme was extremely successful with SL71/31, winning five races. Sid Taylor and Tony Lanfranchi also won with it.

Afterwards, Sid Taylor took it to America where Denny Hulme drove it in four Can Am Races, without success.

On Jan 13, 1967, /31 was advertised for sale in "Autosport" and bought by John Scott-Davies who took it to Australia when he emigrated there.

/31 was entered for an International 12-hour sports car race at Surfers Paradise Raceway but did not start due to a dropped valve. It was running a 4.8-liter Chevrolet engine.

/31 was sold to Denis Geary who fitted a G.T. coupe body for road use. In 1973, it was sold to Matt Carrol, a film producer from Sydney. In 1980-1983, Matt Carrol had the car rebuilt by Kevin Shearer and Carrol did four races in Australasia in support of the Australian Grand Prix.

In 1989, /31 was sold to Nigel Hulme and was only used once in a test session at Silverstone.

In 1995, /31 was sold to Jean Blaton (Beurlys) of Belgium who raced it in the Paul Ricard 24 hour event twice.

Sold on since.

1966:
10/4: Scott-Brown Trophy, Snetterton: Hulme, #8; 1st OA.
11/4: Formula Libre, Mallory Park: Taylor; 2nd.
30/4: T.T. Oulton Park: Hulme, #4; 1st OA.
15/5: International Trophy Race, Silverstone: Hulme, #32; 1st.
21/5: Sports car race, Castle Combe: DNF when Tony Lanfranchi spun whilst leading. Lap record.
21/5: Formula Libre, Castle Combe: Lanfranchi; 1st. Lap record.
30/5: Grovewood Trophy, Mallory Park: Hulme, #1; 1st.
09/7: Martini Trophy, Silverstone: Hulme, #35; 1st.
17/7: Brands Hatch. Support race to British GP: Attwood; DNF. Puncture.
24/7: Formula Libre, Phoenix Park, Ireland: Taylor, #1; 1st.
24/7: Gold Flake handicap, Phoenix Park: T. Taylor; 4th.
30/8: Brands Hatch: Hulme; DNF. Engine.
25/9: Mosport Park, Can-Am 3rd round: Hulme, #81; DNF. Drive shaft failure.
16/10: Monterey GP at Laguna Seca, Can-Am: Hulme, #8; 5th in 1st heat, DNF in 2nd. 20th.
30/10: Times GP at Riverside, Can-Am: Hulme; DNF.
13/11: Stardust GP at Las Vegas, Can-Am: Hulme; DNF. Gearbox problems on 22nd lap.
4/12: Kyalami 9-hours for Dave Charlton/Roy Pierpoint with 289 Ford. DNF. Crown wheel and pinion failure.

Circuit records at: Snetterton: Hulme 1m 33.8 104.01mph.
Silverstone GP: Hulme 1m 28.2 118.66mph.
Oulton Park: Hulme 1m 37.4 102.5 mph.
Mallory Park: Hulme 47.6 102.1mph.
Castle Combe: Lanfranchi 1m 4.8 102.2mph and Phoenix Park.

1967: Jan 13. Advertised for sale in "Autosport", bought by John Scott-Davies who took it to Australia.

21/5: Entered for International 12-hour sports car race, Surfers Paradise Raceway: DNS due to a dropped valve. Then running 4.8-liter Chevrolet.

Sold to Denis Geary who fitted a G.T. coupe body for road use.

1973: Sold to Matt Carrol, a film producer from Sydney.
1980-1983: Matt Carrol had the car rebuilt by Kevin Shearer.
1989: Sold to Nigel Hulme.
1995: Sold to Jean Blaton (Beurlys) – twice.
Sold on since.