When it comes to vintage racing, there are endless options for how you can enter the sport. There are obviously tantalizing production-based options from the likes of Alfa Romeo, Porsche, and Lotus, but the price of entry can be high and that doesn’t include the ongoing upkeep associated with high-compression race engines. Another point of entry that I feel gets overlooked is going the open-wheel route where there are plenty of historic vehicles associated with the Formula Vee and Formula Ford series of racing, and offerings like this package deal for a Lola T324 and a Renard RF82 listed here on craigslist for $7K seems like a far better option than a $100K 911.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. for the find. Lola obviously is a storied brand in historic racing, and you can obviously spend big money to get into a car with actual pedigree and race history. The most sought-after Lolas tend to be the CanAm and IMSA-series racers, with desirability based solely on exposure alone considering the size and scope of those series (not to mention the performance levels and drivers that comprised your average starting grid.) If you were into Formula Fords, Formula Vees, Super Vees, or Miny Indys, you were either a very good weekend racer or a prodigy in training via the racing world’s farm system. Regardless of talent, those classes represented a great way to dip a toe into the highly-competitive world of open-wheel racing.
The T324 represented a notable design shift from the prior years’ T322. Considered a disappointment from a results standpoint, the T324 flared better and is distinctive for its full width nosecone with openings to supply air to the oil cooler along with a hump over the driver’s head to direct airflow over the rear wing. The seller notes his is one of only two built with a wing, but I’m guessing this is a racing vernacular issue as most of the historic photos I see show the T324 with some kind of rear-mounted aero equipment. Regardless, the Lola looks largely complete with some assembly required, and the listing notes it comes with a Ford 2000CC OHC motor.
I’m taking a wild guess that this photo shows the disassembled Reynard RF82 that is included with this offering, and the seller notes that it comes with “….an engine and Hewland Mk-9,” and that it is intended to be a source of parts for the Lola. The Reynard was a popular option in European racing leagues, so it’s interesting to see one stateside. The seller notes that this racer comes with a log book and original SCCA certificate but doesn’t specify what the Lola comes with for paperwork. Whether $7K for both is a good deal is an opinion I’ll leave to those of you in the comments section who have more experience with these cars; regardless, it looks like a fun way to blow $7K.
I’m sure I saw this car race “back in the day”
Pierre Phillips was a familiar name in Oregon Region.
You can see the Oregon Region sticker just behind the
front wheel.
Cool, but i can think of many other ways to blow $7k.
Not me! I raced SCCA, Formula V, and Formula Ford. It may take another few grand to get these up to safety specs but this is a deal. I am over 70 but am tempted. There is nothing like a day, or a few days at the track with open wheel racing.
I’m inclined to agree, if the chassises (eses) aren’t rotten. I’d prioritise the FFord, as that’s an easy way in to a competitive series (1600). Parts don’t transfer across makes (generally) so you’d want to find out exactly what the Lola was to start with. The Hewland’s a useful thing too, especially if it comes with spare ratios.
I never raced open wheelers; always fancied a go at Historic FFord – and almost bought the remains of a Crossle…
I knew Pierre Phillips and helped his son Tommy when we raced Formula Fords in the mid 70’s.
I bought a neglected, but complete and running early 70s D13 formula vee out of a chicken shed several years ago and basically over-restored it with lots of polishing and metallic paint and powdercoating. I take it to shows, autocross it occasionally, and frequently blast around the neighborhood. It’s the most bang you’ll find for a buck, because it’s just so raw, and exhilarating to drive, and it’s always one of the top draws at any car show, especially for kids who just go nuts over it. Race spec tires and fuel cells bite the wallet pretty hard, but I’m probably still under $4,500 all in.
At $7k, it is cheap. You’d spend and easy $3.5k for a Mk9 that needs a complete rebuild. Will get snapped up quickly is my guess.
best
bt
The engine and gearbox are worth that
love the Lima motor on merican cars (Pinto) as it’s on-shore, production (good aftr mrkt support), cross flow (when many werent), simple and can B made nice w/efi & turbo. Ford puda weber 32/36 on (H/W 5200 is the mirror view) and hada econ progressive that snapped open the 2nd v w/a foot stab.
These came in quite a variation and Ford 2000CC OHC motor might B a lill different. Do Not B too typical and mis-judge a 4 cyl. Our strip car is a Toy Starlet w/tocoma 2.7 that duz 8 sec and less (we just gotta get it consistent now). aahahahaa
As someone who races vintage FF now and has recently rebuilt a couple of cars presently running in competition I think you’re looking at a real money pit here.
The Lola has been heavily modified, probably was originally an air cooled Super Vee. The sellers claim of rarity doesn’t hold any water other than you are buying a Ford powered mutt that you likely will have a lot of trouble finding anyone to run with.
Using the Reynard for parts for the Lola is ridiculous. You’d be much better off trying to rebuild that, as FF racing, particularly vintage is growing, so finding a location and people to run with is relatively easy.
As for costs- unless you live in the area and can go fetch this pile, forget it. Shipping would be prohibitively expensive. To do this rebuild correctly will easily double the original cost and I wouldn’t be surprised if it tripled it. It basically needs everything.
Since you can buy an excellent RF82,83 or 84 ready to run, for under $20k -why buy this project? It’s a sucker hole.
Good points from someone in the know. Makes me double think my following comment. Thanks.
Though, I did get a few minutes of dreaming in …
What a great way to spend 7k! Of course that’s just a start. Would love to get into it. First for the rebuild and second for some track time.
Live doesn’t get much better.
You don’t invest/purchase an old race car for the $ investment. You invest in the fun of building and playing at the track. 2 cars (kind of) means 2 race cars. You have to be very careful of your spending, but you could sell one for the price of building the 2. Remember that if you plan on just track days and autocross, it does not matter if you are original or not. And in my humble opinion (having owned a few race cars) the only way to attack both of these is in the forementioned mindset. Trying to keep original for vintage racing IS a money pit for either one of these vehicles. There is enough there that with some resourcefulness neither will break the bank as long as you are not going for the vintage angle. The fun value (I enjoy the build as much as the playing on the track.) for both of these is off the charts. Having raced sedans and full body race cars and driven on the track open wheel cars. I prefer the sedans and full body cars. But open wheel cars are a blast also in their own way. (I prefer open wheel cars on an autocross track.)