The Lola T70, in Spyder and coupe form, remains a fabulous-looking car that featured on the racing stage for some years — though it had limited success at the very top level. Starkey has owned a T70, among other competition cars, and is a former curator of the Donington collection, so he knows his stuff. But this book is a mixed bag. First published in 1993, this is the fourth reprint but the only changes this time around are some updates to the record of all T70s. This comprises 34 pages and has some interesting material, but I notice the current owner of the ex-NZ Cambridge-sponsored car hasn’t been included. The early development of the model is covered well: it is followed by a full and well-illustrated coverage of the T70’s competition career from 1965-’70. It was often a winner in Denny Hulme’s hands, but the numbers made meant that many drivers took the wheel of this model. Most were Chevrolet-powered, but the unsuccessful attempt to use Aston Martin motive power for Le Mans is also covered. The T160 series of CanAm cars get a chapter, as does the place of the T70 in historic racing.
It’s an interesting book, but I feel it would have benefited from more effort having gone into its presentation and updating. As it stands, this doesn’t have the look or feel of a $150 book, compared with other titles at a similar price.

Lola T70: The Racing History and Individual Chassis Record by John Starkey
Review copy supplied by the publisher
Review by Mark Holman