Lola T70 James Garner AIR Team Recreation. Interesting Back Story.

History

Chassis #SL73/131 was initially purchased by James Garner for his racing team, American International Racing (“AIR”).

The car’s first race was the 1968 Sebring 12 Hours. The car lead for the first three hours, ahead of the Porsche 907’s and Gulf GT40’s. However a piston failure at 109 laps ended their quest for victory. 

Garner entered his two car Lola T70 team for the 1968 Le Mans 24 Hours, to be held in June, 1968. However, the race was moved from its usual June date due social unrest in France, and was rescheduled for September. The change created a scheduling conflict for the team and they withdrew their Lola entries.  

The next race for chassis #131 would be the 1969, 24 Hours of Daytona. Again Scooter Patrick and Davey Jones piloted the car. The Lola completed the 24 Hours, finishing 7th. 

The Lola’s final race for American International Racing was the 1969  Sebring 12 Hours. The engine overheated and the car did not finish.

The team repaired SL73/131 and sold it to Ernest Kensler. Kensler made the Lola street legal, and registered it for street use. Kensler then sold the Lola to Brad Levett. When Levett passed away the car was inherited by Tim and OG Levett. 

The Lola was then sold to Jerry Weichers, who restored the AIR Lola. From Weichers the car went to Tim Coburn. The car was then disassembled.

The above information was obtained primarily from John Starkey’s book, Lola T70, as well as some additional sources. 

Thereafter the Lola was the subject of a loan, then a bankruptcy, and then ultimately a lawsuit to determine ownership of the car. Ownership was awarded by the California Superior Court to the car’s current owner/estate. All court documentation comes with the car.

The car was restored by assembling a new chassis and using the bodywork obtained from the bankruptcy. The Lola has since been titled in California. Extensive documentation comes with the car.

Description

The Lola is powered by at 540 h.p. Chevy small block with 410 ft.lbs. of torque. Fuel is supplied by 48 IDA Weber carburetors flowing through Dart heads. Internals include a Bryant crank, Crower rods, and JE pistons. The power is driven through an HB Retro – Tecno LG 500 gearbox.

The car has been sitting for the past couple of years. It presents well, but will need a thorough going through before being run.

We are now selling the car as a replica of the Garner AIR car. Yes, it may have sections from the original body that came to the owner as assets of the bankruptcy. However, the chassis was built separately. Having said that, the car also comes with a California Superior Court judgment awarding the rights to Chassis #SL73/131 to the owner/estate. The car also comes with a California title issued through the California Dept. of Motor Vehicles to the owner/estate. It will be up to the next owner to pursue any further claims to any Garner history if they so choose. The estate is not representing the car as the Garner AIR car, but instead as a replica of the Garner AIR car. 

Please contact us if you have any questions, or would like to make an offer. The car will be sold, so someone is going to get it.

We can help you with shipping the Lola worldwide. Just let us know your local port and we can get you a quote.

All vehicle descriptions are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing. Corrections, and supplemental information, are always welcome. Buyers are responsible for confirming vehicle histories, condition, and authenticity to their own satisfaction prior to purchase. Motorsports Market is not the owner of the vehicle and assumes no liability for errors and omissions.

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