Hodges Lola T70 Mk2 Spyder – SL142/22
Part of Ryan Hodges estate included a part finished Lola T70 project amongst a couple of Elva’s, a one-off Belgian sports car called a JCX and a Ferrari 206 Dino replica. The Lola is in the middle of a ground up rebuild with the majority of parts being renewed or refurbished on the car. This has included a refurbished gearbox and a fresh engine rebuild. The new engine now produces 440bhp at 6800rpm. The aim is to have it run key ready to race and to be sold at auction early 2024.
Here is what we know of the car so far. The T70 appeared in 1997 and was sold by Richard Simms to Ryan Hodges, so it has been in current ownership for the last 26 years. The chassis plate mounted to the car was that of SL142/22, an F5000 car that has previous racing history up until 1975 where it had been acquired by Derek Robinson of Motor Racing Supplies, Frome, Somerset. The chassis had wins on circuit and previous overall hill climb championships but it subsequently disappeared. Several years later the T70 Mk2 Spyder appeared with this chassis number and Ryan is the current registered owner on the oldracingcars.com owners list. I have found reports of Richard Simms racing a T70 with BMW turbo engine in the mid 70’s with a John Markey but apparently the engine combination was short lived.
There are two body’s with the car, both Spyder. The blue body we have pictures of is from Terry Smiths car which was chassis SL71/23 which in its time was both a Spyder and a Coupe. Terry was a Bristol based racer who used the car on hill climbs with the Uk reg RLG 259D. It also raced in the HSCC Atlantic Computers series in the 80’s.
I am continuing to delve into the archives and speak to those in the know to uncover more history about the car has it continues its restoration process. I will do my best to keep this feed up to date as we head further into the year.
The Blue Spyder body of Terry Smith, A Bristol man who was a very capable racer but sadly no longer with us.
The current state of the rebuild at local sports racing specialists. I adore the workmanship in these old sports racers, its something to behold.
The newly rebuilt engine with side draft 50's on. It did have updraft 48's fitted but these were incorrect for period according to the FIA so the engine ahd to go back to the builder for the side drafts and more dyno runs. It peaked at 6800rpm with 440bhp.
Part of Ryan Hodges estate included a part finished Lola T70 project amongst a couple of Elva’s, a one-off Belgian sports car called a JCX and a Ferrari 206 Dino replica. The Lola is in the middle of a ground up rebuild with the majority of parts being renewed or refurbished on the car. This has included a refurbished gearbox and a fresh engine rebuild. The new engine now produces 440bhp at 6800rpm. The aim is to have it run key ready to race and to be sold at auction early 2024.
Here is what we know of the car so far. The T70 appeared in 1997 and was sold by Richard Simms to Ryan Hodges, so it has been in current ownership for the last 26 years. The chassis plate mounted to the car was that of SL142/22, an F5000 car that has previous racing history up until 1975 where it had been acquired by Derek Robinson of Motor Racing Supplies, Frome, Somerset. The chassis had wins on circuit and previous overall hill climb championships but it subsequently disappeared. Several years later the T70 Mk2 Spyder appeared with this chassis number and Ryan is the current registered owner on the oldracingcars.com owners list. I have found reports of Richard Simms racing a T70 with BMW turbo engine in the mid 70’s with a John Markey but apparently the engine combination was short lived.
There are two body’s with the car, both Spyder. The blue body we have pictures of is from Terry Smiths car which was chassis SL71/23 which in its time was both a Spyder and a Coupe. Terry was a Bristol based racer who used the car on hill climbs with the Uk reg RLG 259D. It also raced in the HSCC Atlantic Computers series in the 80’s.
I am continuing to delve into the archives and speak to those in the know to uncover more history about the car has it continues its restoration process. I will do my best to keep this feed up to date as we head further into the year.
The Blue Spyder body of Terry Smith, A Bristol man who was a very capable racer but sadly no longer with us.
The current state of the rebuild at local sports racing specialists. I adore the workmanship in these old sports racers, its something to behold.
The newly rebuilt engine with side draft 50's on. It did have updraft 48's fitted but these were incorrect for period according to the FIA so the engine ahd to go back to the builder for the side drafts and more dyno runs. It peaked at 6800rpm with 440bhp.
