Fantasy Junction

Description

1969 Lola T142 F5000 Race Car
Chassis Number – SL.142/32
Frame Number - 40
Exterior Color – White
Interior Color – Black
Engine Type – Chevrolet Z28 302 cu. in. V8
Gearbox – 5-Speed Hewland Manual Transaxle
Current Mileage – TMU

Marque and Model History

Established in 1958 by Eric Broadley, this remarkably talented engineer and astute businessman quickly built Lola’s reputation as technology leaders and innovators. The UK based company began their engineering developments with front-engine sports cars, but quickly advanced to new areas. Their ground-breaking work on the mid-engine Lola Mk6 coupe fitted with a Ford engine captured the attention of Ford engineers, who tapped Broadley for critical contributions to the development of the Ford GT40. Exhausted from the demanding work on the GT40, after two years, Broadley returned to Lola with newfound focus, building dynamic platforms that offered phenomenal and reliable performance at surprisingly modest cost for a wide range of racing classes.

SCCA Formula A races ushered in the Formula 5000 series in 1968. During this period the massive growth and popularity of large-capacity stock block V8 engines dominated the Can-Am racing circuit. The rapid growth of this new class motivated Lola to develop a single seat layout platform leveraging the V8 engine. The notion of strapping a powerful V8 to the back of single-seater tubular frame cars offered a great deal of promise on the track and in expanding markets. The new class of cars attracted substantial interest and, with plenty of T70 spare parts available due to FIA Group 6 rules changes, the T140 became a reliable and affordable entry into Formula 5000 for racers eager to compete in the new series. Following in the development path of the T140, the updated replacement T142 emerged in 1969 with 28 units produced, making it the most successful selling F5000 car at that time. F5000 enjoyed significant popularity through the early 1970s contributing to the success of US drivers such as Mario Andretti, Al Unser, Bobby Unser, James Hunt, Jody Scheckter, Brian Redman, David Hobbs, Sam Posey, and many others.

History of this Car

According to information from the owners, a father and son recognized Lola expert team or vintage racers, this car is attributed to the first owner Sherwood Johnston, Scottsdale, AZ with the first outing at an SCCA Regional event held at the Tucson Airport, May 11, 1969. Johnston, a seasoned racer who raced for Cunningham at Le Mans in 1954, placed third at 12 House of Sebring, and became champion of SCCA’s new C/Sports Racing class (1955) driving Jaguar D-Types and a Ferrari 375 MM. After taking a break from racing, he returned in 1969 to drive this T142 at the US Pro Series at the Continental Divide on June 8, 1969, and at Sebring December 28, 1969. Shortly after, it was sold to cattle rancher Ed Luke who crashed the car at Phoenix International Raceway in 1970 while attempting to avoid an emergency vehicle. Injuries from the accident ended Luke’s racing career, eventually selling the car to Ron Elliot, Scottsdale, AZ, likely in 1971. Elliot repaired the car and raced it at Riverside in 1972. As part of his rebuilding efforts, Elliot acquired a new Lola factory frame. This frame still bears the welded plate bearing the frame number 40. Photos accompanying the car show that the factory chassis identification plate was no longer in place in the early 1970s (likely lost after the accident in 1970). Dated factory original components still with the car, history of arrival in the US, and Lola historian evaluations lead to the conclusion that this is chassis #32. Regarding the chassis number and frame number, it is important to note that all but one of the 28 Lola T142s built have Lola production sequence numbers that differ numerically from the frame number. By 1987, #32 was sold to the father of the consignor and current owner, a well-known vintage racer and owner of four Lolas. The father and son embarked on an extensive restoration to bring the car to the condition seen today. As part of the restoration, a new Lola Cars Ltd. chassis identification plate was riveted to the car bearing the chassis number SL.142/32A total of 11 recorded races are attributed to this car in period competition and there is no dispute or challenge to the recorded history of #32.

Upon their purchase in 1987 the car was complete but in need of a restoration. After a slow start with other vendors and careful evaluation to determine the best direction, in 2008 the car was sent to Willy Stryker who worked on the frame at Dave Vegher’s shop in Petaluma, CA. After carefully studying the frame, Stryker concluded a small portion of the front inboard boxed sheet metal section required rebuilding and a few minor tube areas repaired as needed. The frame, having only been raced for a brief period after it was delivered from Lola remained in very good original condition, though the team still performed a comprehensive restoration of all mechanical components. Joe Sacra, a highly capable engine builder, worked with Stryker focusing on the engine rebuild. The engine purchased with the car appears to have been with it for many years prior to 1987. The 302 V8 engine bears a casting block number consistent with a 1969 Z28 302 built November 1969. While not original to the car when assembled in 1969, it is a period correct block dated within months of the original T142 fabrication. The engine was rebuilt and mated to a period correct Hewland LG 600-307 5-speed gearbox, believed to be original to #32.

After the build was completed, the owner’s father drove the completed car for the first time in December 2013 at the Petaluma Airport. The car remained in storage at an airport hangar until 2021 when the current owner brought it to his Danville, CA home, flushed all the fluids, installed a fire system, installed a tach drive, installed a new set of Dunlop vintage race tires (CR82), and finished the seat installation. The bodywork was removed and sent to Frank Zucchi who finished the car to match the original Sherwood Johnston color when it first ran in 1969. The combined restoration efforts are supported by receipts for parts and services totaling nearly $115k. The engine was last run in April 2023. Less than one hour has been accumulated on engine run time, mostly limited to starting, warming, and the aforementioned test drive at the Petaluma Airport. Notable restoration work includes:

• Frame restoration with new roll bar, aluminum panels and powder coating
• New coolant piping throughout
• All suspension components restored with new coating
• Electroless nickel plating by Sherms in Sacramento for steel components
• New chromate for magnesium components by Gary Arentz in San Andrea
• Original Lola magnesium wheels re-chromated by Gary Arentz
• New rod ends and wheel bearings
• Original aluminum Koni shocks rebuilt by Performance Shocks.
• Brakes rebuilt with new rotors, pistons, seals, and new metal lines
• New nose and cowl pieces fabricated by Frank Zucchi from owner molds
• New Smith gauges
• New Fuel Safe Systems fuel cell
• New fire suppression system
• New fuel system lines
• Weber carburetors set up with new jets from Pierce Manifolds
• Joe Sacra engine with ARP fasteners, new clutch/flywheel, Powermaster starter
• New windshield from Aircraft Windshield
• New paint by Frank Zucchi Restoration

General Overview

Today this historically important Lola has been faithfully restored and comprehensively rebuilt to a very high standard. The build, components, and finishes are reflective of quality workmanship, expert construction, and exterior finishes consistent with vintage competition use. The car is currently finished in white awaiting application of vintage livery or newer treatment depending on new owner preferences. The front stabilizers and elevated rear wing give the car an impressive presence, while the Weber carburetors and exposed exhaust deliver a powerful representation to the amazing performance these cars can achieve. The restored and chromated magnesium wheels are in excellent condition shod with new vintage Dunlop tires still wearing the identification stickers adhered to the new tread. The exposed suspension components are beautifully finished and with the nose removed, the impressive build and restoration are revealed in the front suspension support, radiator and lines, instruments, steering, and the Lola chassis identification plate. The cockpit is clean and very well laid out with excellent driving position. A formed seat shell is in place accompanied by a padded red vinyl liner. Seat belts included with the car will need to be installed. A Safecraft fire suppression system is installed and plumbed.

With the rear section removed, the mechanical components, beautifully finished suspension, and ground-breaking engineering combine quite well with the restoration work performed under current ownership. The 302 V8 engine, built with 12.5:1 compression, is beautifully detailed and very tidy, featuring cast aluminum finned valve covers, four dual throat downdraft Weber carburetors, MacKay intake manifold, the correct Hewland LG 600-307 5-speed manual gearbox, and beautifully formed “bundle of snakes” exhaust. The car bears the Lola identification plate SL.142/32 as well as a plaque identifying the restoration “Restored 2009-2012 Willy Stryker Donald McGreevy”. Other notable branded features include Aviaid Metal Products custom oil pan, Mocal radiator, SHT Limited Oxford Oil Cooler, Koni shock absorbers, Girling brake and clutch fluid reservoirs, Smiths instruments, Talbot racing mirrors, and Supertap exhaust. The exposed mechanicals of the front and rear sections reveal the clever engineering developed for these fast and capable race cars. Although this car has been expertly prepared, we recommend a professional race shop perform an inspection and review all systems before use in a competition setting.

This is a fantastic opportunity to acquire a recently restored and documented Lola T142 F5000 series race car. With exceptional work performed by experts, this Lola is ready to start the next chapter in vintage racing. The superb mechanical preparation, long-term Lola expert ownership history, and astonishing performance are excellent considerations for anyone ready to advance their driving skills in a highly capable car.

Included with this Car

This car is accompanied by two large notebooks of significant documentation supporting the history of the car, restoration photos, receipts and records, and various literature. Spare parts include a spare rear wheel, spare windscreen, assorted fiberglass molds, various spare body parts, a red vinyl seat liner, a multi-point seat belt harness, spare mirrors and riser props, various brake parts, seal kits, misc. gears, spark plugs, spare wing struts, various hardware, and misc. component parts.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

Inquire About This Car

Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608