Casting : Lola GT70
Years of Production:
1969 - 1970
Country of Origin:
US and Hong Kong
Casting Variations:
HK vs. US Casting Differences
Interior and Glass Colors:
US
* Clear glass
* Black Interiors
Hong Kong
* Blue glass
* Black Interior
Paint Colors and Variations:
| Color | US | HK |
| Green Enamel |
Most Common |
Most Common |
| Blue |
Rare |
Common |
| Light Blue |
Rare |
- |
| Red |
Common |
Common |
| Red Enamel |
- |
Rare |
| Brown |
Common |
- |
| Green |
Common |
Common |
| Lime |
Common |
- |
| Antifreeze |
Uncommon | - |
| Magenta | Rare |
- |
| Rose |
Less Common |
- |
| Aqua |
Uncommon | - |
| Olive | Common |
- |
| Orange | Common |
Hard to Find |
| Purple |
Common | - |
| Gold | Common |
- |
| Copper |
- | Rare |
| Creamy Pink |
Rare | - |
| Hot Pink |
Rare | - |
| Yellow |
- | Super Rare |
Discussion:
The Lola GT70 was one of the eight new models released in 1969 as part of the new Grand Prix series.
Lola GT70 on a Grand Prix Card
The Hot Wheels rendition of the Lola GT70 was based on the Lola T70 Mk3b coupe, one of the legendary
series of V-8 powered Lola T70 race cars that dominated much of Grand Prix and CanAm racing in the 1960s.
The mid-engine Lola T70 Mk3b coupe, created by Eric Broadley, was designed to accept any of the then-current American V-8 power plants
already popular with racing teams.In 1966, John Surtees won the inaugural CanAm Championship, driving an open cockpit spyder version.
In long-term Japanese ownership, this is the GT Mk6 that raced at Le Mans in 1963.
The list of drivers competing in Lola T70s in 1966-68 was impressive: Parnelli Jones, Mario Andretti, Jackie Stewart, Denny Hulme, and Graham Hill,
among others. In 1969, Mark Donohue and Chuck Parsons drove a Roger Penske-prepared T70 M3b coupe to victory in the Daytona 24 Hours race.
Lola GT 70 in British Racing Green
Mattel's Lola GT70 featured a rear hatch that opened to show a detailed engine. The Lola GT70 was produced in
various Spectraflame colors, as well as in British Racing green enamel. Lolas were made at both the US and HK plants.
Early vs. Late Run Hatch Design
Earlier runs of US Lolas had a transmission immediately behind the engine. In later models, the transmission was
replaced by a peg that prevented the rear hatch from opening too far, to prevent the hatch from breaking off of the body.
Lola GT 70 US Body
Lola GT 70 HK Body
The body casting of the Hong Kong and US versions are nearly identical.
Lola GT 70, Front and Rear
Both US and HK Lola GT70's lacked any detail paint on the headlights or tail light.
Lola GT 70 Base HK
Lola GT 70 Base US
The US Base is solid whereas the Hong Kong base has the typical four rectangular cut-outs.
Lola GT 70 Sticker Sheet
A sticker sheet with racing stripes and #10 racing numbers was included in the blister
pack. Unlike the white stickers supplied with other Grand Prix cars, the Lola stickers were yellow.
US Lola Rainbow
US cars featured a clear windshield and a black interior. Like all 1969 Grand Prix cars, the Lola can be found in most of the first generation colors. Lolas in second
generation colors such as yellow, magenta and hot pink are very rare. All US Lolas appear to have bearing style wheels.
HK Lola Rainbow
HK-produced Lolas differ in that they have blue-tinted windshields, chrome rather than silver wheel trim, and a different base (four square openings).They are relatively
common in green enamel and Spectraflame red and blue. As with Chaparrals, HK blue Lolas are much more common than US blue Lolas. Orange and copper brown are tough
colors for HK Lolas. Two HK red enamel Lolas have been found. Not much is known about the origin of these rare cars. Some HK Lolas, especially green enamel cars,
have raised feature lines and cap style wheels. Most HK Spectraflame Lolas have bearing wheels. Note that HK Lola sticker sheets used a different font than the US sheets.
The Lola GT70 in Spectraflame Magenta
A pair of rare light blue Lolas
A hot pink Lola GT70
Photo courtesy of Bob Case, Littletoycars.com
A pair of rare creamy pink Lola GT70s
A very rare red enamel GT70.
A very rare true yellow Lola GT70.
A Circle of Lola GT 70's by Evan Knapp!
Prototypes:
Blank base prototype Lola
Photo courtesy of Bob Case, Littletoycars.com
Credits:
Photos and text by Rick Wilson and Ted Gray
Visit Rick Wilson's Redline Grand Prix site for more information.
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