Beschreibung
A lovely and largely original Lola sports racing car from 1979.
Chassis number HU87 is one of around ninety eight T492 chassis constructed by Lola to compete in the Sports 2000 championship. This race series for sports racing cars was the brainchild of Brands Hatch owner John Webb, with the first race held at Oulton Park in April 1977. That race was won by Davina Galicia in her Kelly Girl sponsored Lola T490.
The Lola register maintained by Lola Heritage records details of forty three surviving chassis. HU87 is one of those appearing on the register.
This car has its correct Lola chassis plate. Also with the documents is a copy of the original Lola Data Sheet recording the build specification for HU87.
The Lola was acquired by the present owner in 2012 from the late Rob Fowler, ex Formula 1 BRM engineer and Formula Ford guru. The car had previously been owned in Luxembourg by a gentleman named Constant Wagner who apparently competed in European hillclimbs. Neil Fowler Motorsport immediately undertook a series of improvements, effectively to recommission the car to race again in the Sports 2000 category.
One of the two engines now sold with the car is believed to be the original Ford Pinto NEA installed when new. The Lola Data Sheet records the original engine as Nelson number 800 (referring to Nelson Engine Services). Upon purchase, the engine still had its Nelson alloy cam cover bearing the number 800. This original engine was then stripped down by Rob Fowler and reported to be in good condition but no longer to Sports 2000 specification; in particular it had forged Accralite pistons. Learning this the owner decided to purchase a second Ford Pinto which had been freshly rebuilt by Rob to the correct Sports 2000 specification. This was then installed as part of the Neil Fowler recommissioning. The original engine was then reassembled (not rebuilt) and is sold with the car. The Nelson 800 cam cover has been moved over to the replacement engine.
The gearbox is Hewland Mk 9, again as per the Lola Data Sheet.
Unusually for a car of this era, the entire ownership history is known from ‘old style’ FIA papers issued in both Denmark and Luxembourg. These record the ownership as follows:
1979-1984 Leif Hellberg, Sweden (from new)
1984-1989 Ole Fredsgaard, Denmark
1989-1997 Ove Bladt, Denmark
1997-2001 Morton Mortensen, Denmark
2001- 2008 Palle Ringstrom, Denmark
2008-2012 Tommy Rollinger/ Constant Wagner, Luxembourg.
2012 to date - present owner, UK.
In present ownership the car has continued to be improved and maintained by highly respected race engineer and historic racer, Jon Waggitt. It has received Jon’s customary attention to detail and no expense has been spared in making this one of the best examples of its marque. It is particularly nice that the car looks to retain its original aluminium monocoque and steel engine frame, the monocoque showing some signs of minor repairs as one would expect over time. The result is a car that presents incredibly well but still shows some patina commensurate with age. The bodywork is painted to road car standard in a period Ford Modena green (RS2000 colour). Invoices are held for all work done for the present owner. There is also an interesting file containing some papers from previous ownerships, including the expired FIA papers. These can be seen by anyone who is seriously interested in making a purchase after viewing the car.
The Lola has been used very sparingly in present ownership - a handful of HSCC meetings. The car can still compete with HSCC, there being Sports 2000 classes in both the Thundersports Championship and the Classic Clubmans Championship. Of course the car can also compete in the very well supported SRCC Sports 2000 Championship where it would run in the Historic class as a car falling within the classification of FIA Appendix K classes S2/ 2 (Sports 2000 cars 1976-1981).
The advertised price includes the spare (believed to be original) engine which requires a rebuild, two sets of Revolution rims with regulation Yokohama Advan tyres (slicks and wets), various Hewland gear ratios and a custom made bespoke car cover made by Specialised Covers.
The car has been kept dry stored and regularly started but has not competed for some time. It would therefore benefit from a thorough pre race check before being out on track again. The seatbelts and plumbed fire extinguisher are both perfect, but now sadly out of date. Knowing the car well, Jon Waggitt would be very happy to continue his association with it.
Priced at £32, 500 the car is considerably less than its cost to the present owner. There will be less expensive Sports 2000 chassis advertised for sale but the T492 is widely regarded as the most desirable chassis to own. It is undeniably the most attractive Sports 2000 car made and carries along with that the cachet of the Lola name. This particular car can also trace its history back to the date it was supplied new to its first owner in Sweden (then in yellow gel coat!). Few cars will be able to claim that same level of provenance.
One not to miss!
