This is what over 600 hours of hard work looks like, and it has away to go before it is finished, but as you can see when the mind is made up that is it. From a few wrecked parts and information gained. At the moment it is set to run a small block Chev and has been built to Lola specs but also as close to original as possible. Will run similar gear to the Lola F5000 so spares are on hand.
This is one great project.
Last edited by Rod Grimwood; 09-05-2014 at 11:08 PM.
Rod, that sportscar is sensational! What is the body modelled on? It looks familiar. Is the tub scratch built, or has the builder started with an existing tub?
That gentleman is one clever cookie and I totally admire his dedication. That car will be a stunning addition to our sportscar ranks. Keep us updated Rod
Its all new Steve, He has some parts from a damaged Lola car in Canada (crashed in 78) and has used the Lola as a base to the tub with modifications in width and bits. It started life as F5000 and was raced in Europe and then to Canada and converted to CanAm later in life when it was unfortunately crashed and packed away. The body is also as close to Can Am cars as he can get it. It will be running F5000 technology so will be period sports car. Yes kiwi285, he is a very clever cookie, and a real gentleman to talk to and a alround nice guy. I will try and get some photos of some of his creations over the years.
The original car has a interesting history and will be revelled later.
Last edited by Rod Grimwood; 09-05-2014 at 11:11 PM.
Rod - can we ask who this gentleman is ?
Lyndsay Willis. Lindsay has built alot of cars for all different forms of motorsport over the years and is a very approachable guy and will share knowledge with people. Lindsay also has the Caterpillar Museum in Rotorua (machinery not bugs), if you are ever down that way have a look. I will add a couple of photos of other cars Lindsay and son Brett have played with (sucessfully) over the years.Originally Posted by kiwi285
The Mazda was Chev powered spaceframe, as was the Camaro. Brett ran a spaceframe Commodore before the Mazda and it was a ground breaking car in sports sedans when it arrived as it was basically the first full space frame car in class along with Bob Homewoods little Escort. Lindsay built a about another 4 frames and cars for other people during this time
The Caterpillar Experience is really a must see if you are in Rotorua. Not only is there lots of interesting restored machinery, but it is all laid out superbly with lots of audio-visual aids and historic items. It really is a history of Forestry in NZ. I can't see how Lindsay finds time for all his projects.
Another project that Lindsay built a few years back between other things, he decided to do some Tuna fishing, so built a boat and went and did commercially for awhile and sold to his skipper after awhile.
Most of us know or were there at Hampton Downs for the Festival back in January when Brett was unfortunately caught out on a big line of oil and was taken for a scary ride down the front straight and into the pit wall. Thank god only the car and pride were hurt and it was upsetting for all involved. But in true spirit the Willis team accepted it and got on with it and that clever man from Rotorua downed tools on his latest project and got stuck into fixing the Lola. (more on the latest project shortly).
These are a few photos of Lindsey's labour of love.
The repairs under way.
The finished project, now that is neat. This is a credit to Lindsay and the Willis family.
Sadly very unfortunate accidents/damage can happen some times to these beautiful pieces of motorsport history, but with the likes of Lindsay Willis, Motorsport Solution boys and others they can be repaired to new and enjoyed by all enthusiast's to watch, listen too and feel good.
Photo of the man in his favourite place, the 'workshop'
I will put together a series of photos of the latest bit of beauty to roll on that floor.
Last edited by Rod Grimwood; 09-30-2014 at 02:18 AM.
Woooow Rod very cool piks etc ............... Thank you.. talk soon Grant
Back in 7/11/2011 I posted "this is what 600 hours of hard work does"
Well I was very fortunate a couple of weeks ago to be invited to go with Lindsay and Brett Willis along with spanner man Ralph Mossman for the first run of this car.
Well this is a little pictorial of what 1200 plus Hours of hard work does. This all started as a very damaged pile of bits and had sat from 1978 in a couple of boxes. (story will come later) As is the rule over the years bits disappeared and were pilfered for other damaged cars. Lindsay had the specs and went to work in his amazing workshop.
Last edited by Rod Grimwood; 09-30-2014 at 03:20 AM.
The moulding of the body.
You need something to hang that body on. As you can see there was a lot of fabricating and work to be done.
More Hours
Now more hours setting up dummy suspension etc to get measurements etc.
And now some more hours, fitting the beautiful body.
More fitting with the man himself covered in dust hard at it with his mate.
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