motoprint news 21 July 2008
Sportique is THE place for exquisitely crafted model cars in various scales. Phone 011 455 5778, cell 082 923 0512. And if there is something there that you fancy but would like it in a scheme seen locally, PLEASE buy one of my pictures from this site.
Sportique is owned by Bunny Wentzel, one time Renault and Alfa pedaller and also the owner of a less than exquisite looking but no less fascinating piece of history. Rear engine, Chev powered, two speed automatic sports car late 60s. Kind of Chaparralish. Yup, the ex-Eric Brockhoven Lolette.
The car has been through a couple of hands since Eric and Lola set sail (literally) for Australia. Most of the car plus more bits Bunny took over from Eric’s folks when they joined Eric in Oz are now being readied for a restoration project. Bunny reckons it HAS to be started before the end of this year otherwise that will be another year gone and then……!
Unfortunately the rebuild will not have the two-speeder box fitted; Eric cast his own casing for that and the box has, shall we say, seen the stork. A Hewland gearbox will be fitted instead. That apart, Bunny says he has all the bits to restore the car to its original spec.
Pity about the automatic box. With that installed, I might have volunteered to drive it myself.
I took photos of the car today and have put some of them in the members’ area for free download. On the website on the 1967 SA GP page is a fine photo of the Lolette in the supporting race. On the same page I have placed more detail photos that I took today (21 July).
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