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1969 Lola T70 MKIII B - SOLD

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Description:

Lola T70 Mk IIIB Coupé ex-David Piper

Delivered new to famed privateer racer David Piper in iconic green livery
Competition history with Piper, Richard Attwood, Jean-Pierre Beltoise, Hans Hermann and more
Featured in Steve McQueen’s Iconic film Le Mans
Multiple appearances at Le Mans Classic and similar events
One of the best and most original MKIIIB coupes

First delivered to the great privateer racer David Piper, this is an outstanding Lola T70 MK IIIB coupé, one of the best and most original in existence, immaculately prepared, and immediately recognizable in its iconic green livery.

Chassis SL76/150 was delivered to Piper in March 1969, one of the last T70 MK IIIBs to be built, and finished in the famous BP green and fitted with a 5 litre Chevrolet V-8 by Traco. “It was fabulous,” was Piper’s verdict, “It was a great car, it still is…I loved the Lola.”

Famed for the Mk VI GT that grew into the GT40, Lola led the way in quantity production of racing cars, suitable for privateers like Piper to take on the factory titans. Masterpiece of architect designer Eric Broadley, the T70 MK IIIB coupé was a completely different beast versus earlier T70s, gaining its ultimate honour with victory in the 1969 Daytona 24 hours.

Piper campaigned her extensively in 1969, taking victory at Montlhéry in the Coupes de Vitesses among other podiums. For 1970 she ran mainly with invited drivers under Piper’s banner including the 1970 Le Mans winners Richard Attwood and Hans Herrmann, Matra’s Jean-Pierre Beltoise, Ferrari veteran Mike Parkes and more.

Among other accomplishments she recorded wins at the Solituderennen (Herrmann), Coupe Magny-Cours (Beltoise), Paris GP Montlhéry (Attwood), and Coupe de Dijon-Prenois (Attwood), in the latter event beating Piper’s Porsche 917 K to the line by just one second – Attwood comments “I think David was a bit pissed off about that!”

Chassis SL76/150 was loaned to Solar Productions in 1970 making a cameo appearance in the iconic Steve McQueen film Le Mans – Piper who both drove and supplied cars for the film gave strict instructions that only he and Attwood were to drive the Lola.

In 1971 she was acquired by Pierre-Henri Archambeaud, who campaigned her extensively in French events for two seasons – taking four victories in events at Montlhéry with other podium finishes. Bought back by Piper in ‘75, she was rebuilt but not raced, and sold on again in ‘79.

With continuous ownership history since then in the USA, Sweden, France and the UK, this MK IIIB coupé has retained its historic integrity, being among the most original examples, retaining its original chassis and body.

Acquired in 2007 by a prolific historic racer, she has appeared in suitable events including Silverstone Classic, multiple Le Mans Classics and Masters Series events. Prepared by Nigel Medcalf’s Moto Historics, a replica body was also commissioned to preserve the original.

Surely one of the most beautiful sports racers ever, this T70 MK IIIB is a phenomenal race car and will be a superb proposition for the owner-racer as in period. Wearing her iconic Piper livery, she has star power and will be eligible for a wide range of historic racing events.