Underappreciated: Lola T70 History & Engineering Deep(er) Dive

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  • Опубліковано 19 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 113

  • @lenslr
    @lenslr  2 місяці тому +3

    Pinned post for questions, clarifications, and corrections 😊

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому

      Note, for instance, that some comments on inboard mounted brakes are general rather than Lola specific, and different engineering solutions within the category provide different benefits.

    • @74surfboards
      @74surfboards 2 місяці тому +1

      Amazing! Fantastic information and outstanding photographs. The T-70 Spyder is def one of my favorite sports racers of all time. Thank you for putting this video together.

    • @cloudfrontsystems
      @cloudfrontsystems Місяць тому

      I do not believe that inboard brakes were standard on all T70 mk3b perhaps only on the spiders. I have seen a few confirmed original chassis that did not have this. Fantasy Junction is a famous broker of collector vehicles and has some great photographs of previously sold examples on their website.

  • @michealfigueroa6325
    @michealfigueroa6325 2 місяці тому +12

    The Lola T70 is in my view the most beautiful GT ever made followed by the Porsch 904 a totaly different "beast" intirely TY for sharing

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому +2

      I'd have a hard time picking an out and out favorite. The 904 would definitely be up there, but I really like the original GT40 as well as the T70. If we're expanding it to road cars I'd 100% go for the Alfa 33 Stradale but the racing versions never looked as good, to me.

    • @michealfigueroa6325
      @michealfigueroa6325 2 місяці тому +2

      @@lenslr The 904 is such a simple design put up against so much complication and the 1968 Alfa ATL grabs me by "my lower body parts" when view from the left or right rear, pure sex on four wheels Stradats are just scary TY for sharing

    • @deborahchesser7375
      @deborahchesser7375 Місяць тому +1

      And the Ferrari 330 P4

    • @michealfigueroa6325
      @michealfigueroa6325 Місяць тому +1

      @@deborahchesser7375 Not familiar with this beauty and am reminded of an Alfa Romero Having had few chances to see many of these special cars, I envy those who have and take joy in seing the T70 and the 904 up close

    • @deborahchesser7375
      @deborahchesser7375 Місяць тому

      @@michealfigueroa6325 I can only dream of driving one of these gorgeous cars, I still love racing of any type but I truly believe this era was the best of them all.

  • @Naniss1965
    @Naniss1965 15 днів тому +1

    I'm really happy to see the Lola T70 getting the Love and Recognition it deserves!
    I Absolutely enjoyed watching ur video too! Both the T70 and the GT40 are my favorite British race cars!🏁🇬🇧🥰

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  14 днів тому

      @@Naniss1965 glad you enjoyed it!

  • @darkchild130
    @darkchild130 2 місяці тому +2

    I search at least once a week for new videos of my favourite car, and I very much look forward to watching this one!

  • @seaninness334
    @seaninness334 Місяць тому +1

    Really enjoyed this video. I was born around the time of these innovations and very young seeing them compete but the imagery is burned into my head. Great clip of the IT Crowd around the 19:00 mark. "Oh! Right." LOL! That story at 22:55 Jeez!

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  Місяць тому +1

      @@seaninness334 Moss just felt like the right inclusion from a reaction standpoint. Haha, I was trying to find a similar Father Ted clip but couldn't think of one quite as apropos

    • @seaninness334
      @seaninness334 Місяць тому +1

      @lenslr Yup. It cut right to the point. So many clips used are not that precise and/or too long. It was perfect. Well done. As an American, I had somewhat limited access to the IT Crowd, but I liked enjoyed it.

  • @john1703
    @john1703 2 місяці тому +7

    Splendid video. The T70 mk 3 and Ford mk 4 are the prettiest GT cars, with the Ford mk 2 being a beautifully brutal car. Putting the brake discs just inside the front hubs rather than inside the front wheels does not reduce unsprung weight. To do that requires brake shafts with inboard brakes, as used on a MB W196 or a Lotus 72.

  • @briancavanagh7048
    @briancavanagh7048 2 місяці тому +4

    Just confirming your correct appreciation of the aesthetic of these sports racing cars from the 1960 & 1970 as peak auto beauty. My school books at this time were littered with attempts at sketching these masterpieces.

  • @danvandal4127
    @danvandal4127 2 місяці тому +4

    Thank you, didn't know anything about these other than that GT40 connection. Loved the look of these cars, even the spiders.

  • @anthonymigchelbrink3254
    @anthonymigchelbrink3254 14 днів тому

    I thoroughly enjoyed this! I look forward to more!

  • @EuropaSman
    @EuropaSman 2 місяці тому +3

    12:02 More likely to be Oulton Park because Donington Park didn't reopen until 1977 after closing in 1939.
    The T70 Mk3B is my favourite of the T70s. I watched the 3Bs at historic meetings at Donington Park in the mid 2000s, competeing with the orher "big banger" GTs. Am awesome sight.

  • @calummorris-astro
    @calummorris-astro 2 місяці тому +4

    Another Excellent video! I'd always liked the T70, It's got that underdog thing down. Also the I.T crowd clip was unexpected to say the least!

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому +2

      @@calummorris-astro appreciate it! I was originally trying to find an equally salient Father Ted clip (because we appreciate the obscure here at Lenslr) but I realized that IT Crowd one was just too appropriate to pass up

  • @nobodyimportant6614
    @nobodyimportant6614 2 місяці тому +3

    As a HUGE Ferrari fan, I will honestly say the the T70 is my 2nd most beautiful prototype from the 60's after the P4s. And one of my all time favorites.

  • @ianwynne764
    @ianwynne764 2 місяці тому +4

    Hello: I agree with you about the beauty of that era of racing cars. Have a lovely day.

  • @papaloongie
    @papaloongie 2 місяці тому +5

    I don’t think you’re old enough to remember the Dan gurney gag.
    7 litre cars were putting out a lot closer to 550-600 hp
    Up here in Canadia (a few years back) at the legends of Motorsports vintage car weekend in mont tremblant; there were about 8 of these 427 cars .
    The CanAm cars were the most ungodly.ground-pounding otherworldly magnificent machines ever made .
    Twenty of them at 7000 rpm on the grid literally made the earth move.
    Props for the Gurney gag.
    💐💐 from Montreal

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому +1

      @@papaloongie oh I'm not but picked up on it at HSR events over the past few years and love to keep an old joke alive

  • @markusjuenemann
    @markusjuenemann 2 місяці тому +2

    I´m getting used to these high-level-standard-videos... Well done, as always!

  • @malcolmmoy
    @malcolmmoy Місяць тому +1

    Love your shout-out to Tony Southgate, nice.

  • @wskinn
    @wskinn Місяць тому +1

    I don't know about riveting saving weight over welding, but it does allow one to drill out rivets to remove damaged pieces instead of cutting welds.

  • @robinoconnor1203
    @robinoconnor1203 2 місяці тому +3

    Good video. Great delivery, I like your humour Sir.

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому

      @@robinoconnor1203 much appreciated!

  • @andybacon6007
    @andybacon6007 2 місяці тому +2

    Great video... many thanks
    I recall seeing the Aston Martin T70 at Brands Hatch that had been pre-qualified on the Friday/ Saturday for Dr. Jonathan Palmer to drive on race day. Placed at the back of the grid he carved his way through the pack in what I can only describe as spectacular driving... tail out and charging through the field. The race (or races) were won convincingly by a March 707 in STP colours which was also a fantastic looking and sounding car. Great memories

    • @magikjoe3789
      @magikjoe3789 2 місяці тому +1

      That would be Charlie Agg in the March 707 I would think. I have a poster of him driving that 707 on my bedroom wall.

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому

      glad you enjoyed it!

  • @grahambell4298
    @grahambell4298 2 місяці тому +3

    Nice and informative with a nice line in humour, though I will point of that the Jaguar D Type used an aluminium monocoque before either Lotus or Lola (1954). I'll also point out that the Aston Martin V8s used were still prototype units at that point, the lessons learned from the T70 tie in leading to the development of an engine that in later years would power the Aston Martin Nimrod (chassis designed by one E Broadley) to a 7th place Le Mans finish as well as 3rd place in the World Sportscar Championship.

  • @chasbari
    @chasbari 2 місяці тому +3

    Here because of Hot Wheels. I was an oddball as a kid. The Lola was my favorite redline back then. Still is, even though it is considered a common and, thus, a wheel donor by most collectors for more supposedly worthy cars, most likely Detroit pony and muscle cars of the 1960's. I thoroughly enjoyed this history of the real version of one of my favorites.

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому +2

      Haha, I think you get points for the most unusual path of discovery. But glad you enjoyed it - I'd only vaguely heard of them before seeing my first one at Sebring Historics in 2020

    • @UberLummox
      @UberLummox 2 місяці тому +2

      Me as well. A gorgeous copper Spectra-Flame T-70 was my 2nd. Hot Wheel car, and still have it. Though very high mileage!

    • @chasbari
      @chasbari 2 місяці тому +1

      @@UberLummox High mileage.. but an absolute treasure! Nice!

    • @UberLummox
      @UberLummox 2 місяці тому

      @@chasbari 😁👍

  • @johngibson3837
    @johngibson3837 2 місяці тому +1

    A good and interesting video with some sweet humour plus i like GT40s so thank you

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  Місяць тому

      My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it!

    • @johngibson3837
      @johngibson3837 Місяць тому +1

      @lenslr thanks again mate

  • @tossr4716
    @tossr4716 2 місяці тому +1

    11:54 freeze-frame, it looks exactly like the new Thomaso (dipantera) P72, beautifull.

  • @paulreilly3904
    @paulreilly3904 2 місяці тому +1

    And great to see the name Marcel Fassler on car shown at 20.20. One of my favourite drivers who doesn't receive the acclaim he deserves.

  • @JohnSmith-is8nq
    @JohnSmith-is8nq 2 місяці тому +1

    I drive that one in Assetto Corsa a lot. If the simulated models are anything to go by, the T70 handled a bit better than the GT40.
    These old 60's cars are almost as insane as the moon rockets that were being built at the time.

  • @trottermalone379
    @trottermalone379 2 місяці тому +4

    Another great video! Thanks!! Bit of Engineering FYI… The riveting of thin section aluminum sheet produces a more structurally repeatable joint as compared to welding, hence less safety factor, resulting in less weight for the same strength structure. You could weld one up out of similar materials and safety factors, but it would want to be NDI’ed (or thrown away) every hundreds of load cycles, instead of millions. If ships were built to durability versus weight requirements similar to those of racing cars and airplanes, they would be riveted together still, but ships prioritize for less maintenance and more durablity/longevity.

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому

      @@trottermalone379 ah good to know. An engineer I am not, but that makes sense.

    • @jimtitt3571
      @jimtitt3571 2 місяці тому +6

      When the T70 was built TIG welding was an exotic and crude technique, the chances of welding anything thin was zero, only when Miller brought in the square-wave welders in the 1970's progress was made. The alternative back in the day way using a gas torch which was adventurous in itself. However the problems with race-car tubs was distortion. I worked for Lola Cars in the 1970's so ten years after the T70 (we had one as a development hack) building the T333 C8 and even producing the required accuracy with riveted tubs was difficult, on hot summers days panels just wouldn't fit the jigs and in the end we had to build a cool-store to prep parts before riveting. Welding would also have produced problems with the heat treatment of the alloy used so basically it didn't work.
      The T70 itself proved (while it did quite respectably) was horribly unreliable and had massive traction and braking problems becoming unstable if those crap Bendix brakes actually worked. The T333 C8 was hugely better and more succesfull, Eric finally managed to shake off his desire to make pretty cars and follow McClaren in building aerodynamics that worked around corners rather than down the Mulsanne straight (he was an architect by training with all that entails).

    • @trottermalone379
      @trottermalone379 2 місяці тому +1

      @@jimtitt3571 Great story!

  • @williamstel9330
    @williamstel9330 2 місяці тому +2

    I saw them at some of the last IMSA races at Riverside.

  • @Commander-McBragg
    @Commander-McBragg 2 місяці тому

    Excellent presentation!

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому

      @@Commander-McBragg Thank you! Other end of the Lola story (their last prototypes before their bankruptcy in 2012) goes live at 6p Eastern tonight, if that's within your interest set

  • @papaloongie
    @papaloongie 2 місяці тому +2

    Wunderschon!!
    You also might like Elgar, Holst and Andre Previn’s jazz peregrinations.
    Oh, and McLaren marque cars.
    I saw one wipe the field about 10 years ago in a can am tribute series
    It was (of course) orange, support crew was the 70ish yo drivers’ delightful wife, elegant as ever.
    Cheers.

    • @papaloongie
      @papaloongie 2 місяці тому +1

      I suppose everyone knows this but GT-P is alive and well , owned by Allen grant in California.

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому

      @@papaloongie as soon as I can find some of the McLarens at a historic race somewhere - I try to mostly use my own photos for these videos

  • @jerrylagesse9046
    @jerrylagesse9046 2 місяці тому +1

    Donohue/Penske car ?

  • @lenslr
    @lenslr  2 місяці тому +1

    And, if you're interested in seeing what I get up to when I'm not photographing or researching race cars, recently it's been the occasional destruction of old German porcelain figurines, and video two goes live tonight at 6p Eastern on the Variety Channel! Hope you'll join us, particularly if you hate knick-knacks or just want to criticize my golf swing. ua-cam.com/video/_aNoSIVOF1s/v-deo.html

  • @lqr824
    @lqr824 2 місяці тому

    29:44 You name-check Von Karajan: I nearly bought his 959 from his Swiss chalet (or villa, not sure, didn't go) and later I lived and worked a combined 8 years adjoining Van Karajan Platz in Tokyo, a town square so named because Suntory Hall, part of the development around it, had Karajan consulting on the design and acoustics. (His comments at the naming ceremony make me think he was probably quite the jerk, not thanking Suntory or the property developer, but rather simply saying the new hall had many of the qualities of his beloved favorite hall in Germany.)

  • @hangonsnoop
    @hangonsnoop Місяць тому +1

    FWIW, I get the "Ethal The Ardvark Goes Quantity Surveying" reference. My brain hurts!

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  Місяць тому

      @@hangonsnoop hahaha, first time I heard that sketch I lost it and have been looking for a way to work a reference in for ages

  • @briangriffith3985
    @briangriffith3985 2 місяці тому +4

    you can actually buy one brand new as a Broadley T76. Broadley restarted production based on original drawings

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому +3

      @@briangriffith3985 🎼 if I were a rich man... 🎶

    • @davidhamer8333
      @davidhamer8333 2 місяці тому

      As Eric died some years ago, this may just be 'badge engineering'

    • @briangriffith3985
      @briangriffith3985 2 місяці тому

      @@davidhamer8333 regardless, original drawings exist for the exactly replicas to be made

    • @darkchild130
      @darkchild130 2 місяці тому +1

      @@davidhamer8333they are identical to the originals made on the original tooling. Broadley is the name of the company now, not the man.

    • @davidhamer8333
      @davidhamer8333 2 місяці тому +1

      @@darkchild130 Thank you, they are obviously striving to get as close to the original as possible. I always thought they were beautiful. I did work for Lola in the 1980's but of course the T70 was not a current model then.

  • @mannyricketson4517
    @mannyricketson4517 Місяць тому

    The lola was instrumental in the development of the ford gt

  • @AirtonCosta-b3k
    @AirtonCosta-b3k 2 місяці тому

    Sendo aqui do Brasil,só tínhamos detalhes destes belos carros por fotos, mas sempre poucas informações técnicas de marcas emblemáticas como a Lola de Eric Broadley.Obrigado.

  • @allamar9083
    @allamar9083 2 місяці тому +1

    Dream car Lola.

  • @mochabear88
    @mochabear88 2 місяці тому +1

    ty

  • @windyworm
    @windyworm 2 місяці тому +2

    I saw Lola's in the 1970 (or maybe 1969.. it's along time ago) racing in the BOAC 1000km against the Porsche 917s, Ferrari 512S and the screaming Matra. This was a shame, because the Lola's were overshadowed by the big manufacturers. All I can remember is that they miss fired, but looked cool, unfortunately not as cool as the Porsche and Ferrari.

  • @billy54bob
    @billy54bob 2 місяці тому +3

    Ford Cortina mk1 tail lights on mk6

  • @davidzdrojewski9197
    @davidzdrojewski9197 2 місяці тому +1

    saw it at wakins glen 1979

  • @lqr824
    @lqr824 2 місяці тому

    You're telling us everything except: what were different about them. My favorite comment was when you pointed out they used engine and gearbox as stressed member, that they had a transaxle designed for F1, why the Chevy's didn't run well in Europe, very interesting... just wish you had more such tidbits.

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому

      @@lqr824 this was not pitched as a comparative analysis, which would be the fundamental question of, as you out it, "what were different about them". That's subject for an entirely different video that would, by necessity, encompass several different models at once and easily form it's own 30 minute or so video

  • @Dave.S.TT600
    @Dave.S.TT600 2 місяці тому +1

    Was Ken Miles on Firestones, when he died? Because they failed and caused Jim Clark's death and that covered up to help protect their sponsor at the time. -And..Thanks for the Video!

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому +1

      @@Dave.S.TT600 I'd have to go back and do some further investigation. If memory serves, Ford was one of the people who provided Harvey Firestone with backing to get his tire business up and running, but that doesn't mean the relationship had continued fifty plus years later. I'm pretty sure they were running Goodyears at Le Mans in 66 though, so that's probably what they had on the J Car too

    • @robertobrien9706
      @robertobrien9706 9 днів тому

      @@lenslr Carroll Shelby had the west coast Goodyear racing tire distributorship as far back as 1963. Since Shelby American was in charge of the J-Car tests, and all identifiable pics of the J-Car's tires show Goodyears, it's highly unlikely that it was running on anything other than Goodyears.

  • @LukeTansiongco
    @LukeTansiongco Місяць тому

    Didn't Southgate design the Le-Mans winning Jaguar XJR series too? Suprised it didn't show up in that mini slideshow you did for his designs

  • @arthurmchugh5184
    @arthurmchugh5184 29 днів тому

    Had a Lola t70 slot car !¡!!! 😅😅😅😅😅😅

  • @KevinONeil-k8d
    @KevinONeil-k8d 2 місяці тому +1

    Canadia?

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому

      @@KevinONeil-k8d that's the technical term for it, so my northern sources inform me

    • @KevinONeil-k8d
      @KevinONeil-k8d 2 місяці тому

      @@lenslr In context, your context, it's the name of my counrty, that is Canada. Canadia is not a term that exists in the English language. Perhaps you meant to say Canadian. The Canadian American Challenge cup series.

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому +4

      @KevinONeil-k8d or, in context, it was intended in a humorous light, and you're taking it too seriously.

    • @paulreilly3904
      @paulreilly3904 2 місяці тому +1

      ​@@KevinONeil-k8dIs it possible that you are missing a subtle use of humour over there in Canadia? 😉😁

  • @Peasmouldia
    @Peasmouldia 2 місяці тому +1

    Marty Feldman Show...Feat J. Clease.
    I don't think Lola was a homage to the Kinks though...
    Ta.

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому +2

      @@Peasmouldia different, earlier song actually. What Lola Wants, Lola Gets from Damned Yankees, if memory serves.

  • @billy54bob
    @billy54bob 2 місяці тому

    Excuse me! Was that book not "Eric the Aardvark goes quantity surveying" originally?😊😊

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому

      @@billy54bob you be the judge, but anything is possible... Hahq

  • @arthurmchugh5184
    @arthurmchugh5184 29 днів тому

    5 minutes, Cortina tail lights??????😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  29 днів тому +1

      @@arthurmchugh5184 could be

  • @barrycuda3769
    @barrycuda3769 2 місяці тому

    What would that song be that inspired Broadley to use the name Lola ? , it was too early to be that awful Kinks song.

    • @robertobrien9706
      @robertobrien9706 2 місяці тому +2

      "Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets," from "Damned Yankees."

    • @barrycuda3769
      @barrycuda3769 2 місяці тому

      @robertobrien9706 Thanks. 👍

  • @joedeegan3870
    @joedeegan3870 2 місяці тому +1

    I think full windshield looks better.

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  Місяць тому

      Certainly more distinctive, the Spyders do look a bit generic for the era

  • @paulreilly3904
    @paulreilly3904 2 місяці тому

    And I hear Marcel Fassler mentioned for his driving, and that you like the Peugeot 908 and the R18. As a big fan of the diesel era in race cars, ( 2006 onwards) I would welcome in depth coverage of this period, principally the Audi /Peugeot rivalry. The drivers alone merit a video, with greats such as Tom Kristensen. The performance of the lone Audi at the 2011 race for instance. With a few exceptions, ( Truth in 24, (2)) notably, is poor, both in print and on UA-cam.

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому +1

      It's certainly on the list, as Truth in 24 is actually what got my interested in endurance racing to begin with, but there's a sort of hope against hope that Audi will bring the big diesels out for historic racing at some point in the next year or two so I can actually take photos of them for that video. When we get to video 200 I'll consider loosening my principles

    • @paulreilly3904
      @paulreilly3904 2 місяці тому +1

      @lenslr Good to hear from you. I'd been interested in endurance racing before Truth in 24 because, as a Brit I had met Andy Wallace and knew of Derek Bell. But when I came across Truth in 24 (2) it was to have a huge effect on my life. It's become my premier interest and I just can't get enough of it. I like most forms of motorsports, but the diesel years are at the top of the list. To learn more from from a great presenter would be a real treat.

  • @larrykroger3100
    @larrykroger3100 2 місяці тому +1

    And they were wrecking them in THX1138..

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому

      @@larrykroger3100 and in the Le Mans film. Crazy stuff.

  • @billy54bob
    @billy54bob 2 місяці тому

    👍

  • @garneauweld1100
    @garneauweld1100 2 місяці тому +1

    They still run strong, if set up well, to this day. Lots of options under the skin. What is a T70 is probably the best question.

  • @robertreid2262
    @robertreid2262 2 місяці тому

    Denny Hulme.Not Denny Hume.This is not the first time you have got it wrong

    • @lenslr
      @lenslr  2 місяці тому

      @@robertreid2262 media.tenor.com/HW8lfUJ3x5cAAAAM/niles-frasier.gif

  • @nielslund2800
    @nielslund2800 2 місяці тому

    Hulme is pronounced with an "L" - not Hume....

  • @michaelpaulos420
    @michaelpaulos420 2 місяці тому

    The lava T 70 was good five years before they built it. It's a piece of junk! I reached against those cars and they were nothing but Canon fodder. Are used to fly by them like they were tied to a post and I was in a 2 L car. They often won the overall even against McLarens, which were 100 times better than the Lola. Lol as for qualifying at the very back of the field in the race they were very very very slow. I think the first year on the same day did OK but no cigar. Looks great. Please don't overwrite their car. It was a pile.

  • @hughcrawford5
    @hughcrawford5 Місяць тому

    Canadia ?