TWO sensational Jersey racing cars are due to celebrate their triumphant homecoming this weekend at the Credit Suisse Festival of Motoring.
In their day, both the 1927 Sunbeam Special sand racer and the 1965 Lola T70 MkII Spyder amazed Island crowds with their speed and technology.
However, the Sunbeam left Jersey shortly after the Occupation, while the Lola’s association with the Island came to an abrupt and tragic end when it was involved in a high-speed crash in Canada.
Retired builder Tony Sargeant (79), of Gorey, bought the Lola new straight from the factory in 1965. Then, last year, he received a call out of the blue from America from a man who now owned his Lola and wanted to know more about it. Unbeknown to Mr Sargeant, the car had been restored, and, after a few phone calls, he managed to buy her back.
The Sunbeam will not be racing, but will be one of the stars of static displays around the Island.
*Matthew Sargeant at the wheel of his grandfather’s 1965 Lola T70 Spyder
