Lola Mk6 on track for 2001

The Lola Mk6 GT car which took Eric Broadley’s marque to Le Mans for the first time in 1963 has been bought in unrestored condition for 1,120,000 by British historic racer Paul Haywood-Halfpenny. One of three forerunners of Ford’s GT40, it will return to the tracks next year.

After burning much midnight oil, Lola boss Broadley drove the midengined Ford V8-powered car from Bromley to Le Mans in ’63, where scrutineering wrangles added to the drama. Eventually, the little coupe was made to comply with the regulations, and Richard Attwood and David Hobbs took to the track.

Hobbs crashed it following a gearbox problem, but the Lola gave a good account of itself. As cashstrapped Broadley could not afford to develop the car, Ford’s funding was snapped up, and the rest is racing history. All of the Mk6 GTs still exist. This important Le Mans car has now been entrusted to Barry Hodson for preparation. MP