114 replies to this topic

[island]

He was one of the best independent Can-Am drivers,
I think. Second overall in 1970. Did he quit racing
after the last Can-Am at Road America in 1974 ?

[TonyKaye]

I think Lothar Motschenbacher effectively stopped racing before 1974.
1970 had been a good year for him, resulting in second place in the CanAm championship ,but 1971 was a different kettle of fish. Although he had sponsorship from Paul Newman,he could only get a few placings and didn't win a single race. He finished fifth in that year's point standings, but still held a kind of record in that he had taken part in every single CanAm race to that time.
The following year, 1972, he crashed his F5000 car at Road Atlanta and then received burns in a garage fire towards the end of the year. I don't know if he NEVER raced again (never say never), but I can't recall his name in later major championships.

[Dave Ware]

Pete Lyons' book would cover the years up to 1974. Perhaps I can look at it tonight.

I remember one year, it must have been '73, he had Derek Bell driving his McLaren at Mid-Ohio. I think that was a one-off deal, though. Bell was fourth, as I recall. Also a hot day. I remember him removing his helmet and balaclava on the cool-off lap, and finishing the lap with the wind blowing in his face and hair.

Dave

[Neuz]

I was just wondering if he was still alive. I have many photos of him back in the CanAm days and thought that if I could I would email him a few. Would anyone know how to get a hold of his email address?

Thanks
Neuz

[WINO]

His ex-wife is still around. Former race queen Marilyn [Motschenbacher] Fox Halder can be reached at

FoxyCV@aol.com

where she is selling CanAm videos.


WINO

[Neuz]

Thanks,
Does that mean that Lothar has passed away?

Neuz

[WINO]

I don't think so, biut Marilyn probably knows his whereabouts.

WINO

[ReWind]

He was destined to take part in this year’s Mille Miglia
http://www.collexpo....rint.php?sid=50
(6th paragraph “Personaggi e VIP…”, row 16)

Perhaps someone knows whether he actually was there in May.

[David Pozzi]

He was at Pebble Beach Concours a year or two ago, I hear he goes there almost every year.
He had or has a repair shop in Los Angles but I don't know the name of it.
David

[raceannouncer2003]

I found this contact info:

Motschenbacher Inc
1339 S Lyon St
Santa Ana, CA 92705-4608
Phone: (714) 543-3883

Also address and phone number in Newport Beach, which must be his home

Also, pictures from a couple of years ago on this webpage:

http://www.vintage-s...verreunion.html

Vince Howlett, Victoria, B.C., Canada

[raceannouncer2003]

Me yet again!

Another website had this phone number for Motschenbacher Inc:

(714)979-3815

Vince H.

[brooster51]

Wow, talk about a name from the past. I always thought he was a pretty good driver who deserved a chance. I thought that his cars were always very well turned out. What ended his carerr or when did it end.

[Neuz]

That's a good question. Suprised that he now runs a repair shop. Not sure why I am suprised but I was.
What did happen to his carreer?

Neuz

[Manfred Cubenoggin]

As for his career evaporating, I don't recall a whole lot of his efforts after Jack Oliver pushed him off the road on the back straight at Mosport in a CanAm circa 1970. From what I heard and can recall, Lothar was balking JO while being lapped. Long time ago...may have it wrong...

[Bob Riebe]

In 1970 Lothar finished second in the championship, including a second and three thirds; in 1971 he finished fifth in the championship including two thirds and a fourth.

He seems to have suffered from being a privateer in 1972 without a Porsche or ex-team car, and totally disappeared in 1973 but scored a third again in 1974.

Bob

[WGD706]

Does anyone have the photo that shows Jim Hall's Chaparral 2G hitting the back of Lothar's McLaren in '68 at Las Vegas’ Stardust International Raceway.
Hall ran into the back of Motschenbacher at the exit of the very high speed turn two at the Stardust. Reports later said a front suspension piece on Motschenbacher’s McLaren broke and dug into the pavement acting as a brake to bring the car to a near standstill from 150+ MPH.

[Duncan Fox]

That great James Johnson shot is on pg 161 of the Falconer/Nye book on Chaparral

[antonvrs]

Would anyone on this board have contact information for Lothar Motsenbacher?
Thanks,
Anton

[RA Historian]

It is Lothar Motschenbacher, and I would suggest contacting Jerry Entin.

[The Famous]

I know that Kris Mellon
22 Lighthouse Ct
Napa, CA 94559
was working on a car (Vintage Racing) for Lothar. I sent him some old photos I had of Lothar last year. He is in contact with Lothar and I'm sure he will help you.

This is the shop # I have, but I'm not sure it is current: 707-996-4447

[NGSmith]

John Collins was his mechanic and spent a number of years with him. He will surely have more information on him.

John Collins Race shop is in Santa Ana CA (714) 540-2591

Nick

[teegeefla]

Lothar's ex-wife Marilyn has a website with vintage Can-Am videos and she may be able to help.

foxycv@aol.com

[Ol'_Motorhead]

I watched Lothar race several in Can Am events - he was one of the quicker privateers chasing after Bruce in the "Works" car!
Here's a photo from Mosport circa '65 or '66 - I wouldn't mine this machine in my yard.

[T54]

Lothar can be contacted at his place of business in his shop in Santa Ana at 714 543 3883.

[RA Historian]

Originally posted by Ol'_Motorhead
[IMG]Here's a photo from Mosport circa '65 or '66 - I wouldn't mine this machine in my yard.

Mine, as in dig up?
It has to be 1966 as that is a McLaren Elva Mk II, or M1B as it was also known, which was a '66 car.

[Jerry Entin]

Lothar and Peyton Cramer. Peter Revson's car next to them. Team was called Dana Chevy Team. This is from Elkhart Lake in 1967. Cars are Lola T-70 3B's.
photo lent site Tom Schultz. copyright 2007 Tom Schultz

[kayemod]

Yet another lovely pic Jerry, and it encapsulates so well the whole atmosphere of Can Am, informality, roped-off grass paddocks & general good humour, to a large extent, these guys raced for fun, even the McLaren guys up at the deep end. I made the same point in another thread on Can Am, but upset someone who didn't bother to try to understand what I'd posted, or more probably didn't have experience of more 'serious' formulae like F1. I'm not saying that's bad of course, but I hope that you at least understand what I'm on about. Makes me feel old. Those were the days alright.

[Jerry Entin]

Kayemod: I understand you exactly. In the day as they now call it everyone enjoyed their competitors. And of course respected the Formula One and Indy drivers when they were in the series. And as you say everyone was nice to the spectators and fans.

[RA Historian]

Yes indeed. As you can see from my picture above of Peyton Cramer and Lothar Motschenbacher, things were very accessible in the paddock. Back in the 60s I simply purchased a paddock pass, loaded my camera, and spent the day roaming the paddock, walking right up to the cars and drivers, shooting both photos and the bull. No fenced off motor homes, no roped off work areas, just open on the grass. If things got fancy it was just an awning to keep the sun off. Very, very enjoyable indeed!
Tom

[T54]

The car in Jerry's picture is not a McLaren or course but Lola T70.

[David M. Kane]

A few years ago I saw one of Lothar's Can-Ams at Graham and John Collins shop. I think it was sponsored by some RV Company?

[pete3664]

Commander Motorhomes

[S&M Minis]

Lothar with his M12 at the 1969 Can Am at Mid Ohio. Parked in the grass and no ropes around it. It was indeed a great time that won't return. The Simoniz Lola motorhome in the background was a sign of things to come. Didn't Lothar have some impressive string of consecutive USRRC and Can Am starts that even the pro teams couldn't match?



Lothar in his ex-Shelby King Cobra at the 1965 USRRC at Mid Ohio. Others in the picture include Mike Hall in the Essex Wire 427 Cobra and Tom Payne in one of three 289 Cobras entered by Shelby American. There were 4 Elvas entered, not sure which one this is. Notice the tree-hanging spectators - try that nowadays!



Same event, at the end of the main straight.



I have more pictures of this car that I'll post on the "King Cobra" thread.

[Duncan Fox]

Lothars McLaren Trust newsletter has been retuned unknown from his Santa Ana address, I know there was a thread on this very subject some time back but a search produces nothing . Any one have fresh contact details please?

[Jerry Entin]

Duncan his address is the same his e-mail is classicmbinc@yahoo.com

[Duncan Fox]

Thanks Jerry.Ill follow that up.

[Jerry Entin]

Lothar in his Indy racing period.
That is Jerry Eisert leaning in giving Lothar advice


Side view of Lothar in the Indy car.
Harrison Special crewed by Jerry Eisert.

photos :Gil Munz-

scanned for site: Ike Smith

Edited by Jerry Entin, 26 April 2011 - 03:00.

[fbarrett]

Originally posted by Neuz
That's a good question. Surprised that he now runs a repair shop. Not sure why I am suprised but I was.
What did happen to his carreer?

Neuz

Neuz:

I believe it's more of a restoration shop, actually. Last time I saw LM, he was showing classic pre-war Mercedes-Benz cars (540K, etc.) in Newport Beach.

I take it that the John Collins referred to above is the ex-Shelby American mechanic?

Frank

[Jerry Entin]

Lothar in his CanAm McLaren signing autographs.
Frank: John Collins who was referred to in the thread above has sadly passed away from complications of pneumonia. And yes he was the ex Shelby mechanic known as Granny Collins. Lothar is well and his daughter Hedy is helping him at his shop. He does buy and also restore Mercedes cars.

[Dennis Currington]

By dc at 2008-05-10

Lothar at Riverside in 1967 (?, Jerry?)

[RA Historian]

Originally posted by Dennis Currington


Lothar at Riverside in 1967 (?, Jerry?)

I believe that this may be 1966. The car is the Nickey sponsored McLaren M1B, and it ran in this configuration at the 1966 Riverside Can Am. For the 1967 Can Am Lothar was in the Dana Lola T-70. But he was fourth in the early 1967 USRRC in a McLaren. I need help on this (Jerry? Tam?), as I suspect that the car may not have been Nickey metallic violet in the 1967 USRRC.

[Jerry Entin]

Dennis: Very nice picture. I am afraid that RA Historian is right. Your picture is from 1966. Lothar finished 9th in his McLaren at Riverside in the CanAm in 1966. In 1967 he didn't finish that well at Riverside in his Lola T-70 sponsored by Dana Chevrolet, he finished 15th. He did beat his friend Jerry Entin though, who finished right behind him in 16th, in his McLaren Mk2.

[Dennis Currington]

Then THIS should be 1967 at the Stardust:

[Jean L]

For the Nickey McLaren M1B,I think it is the Riverside USRRC race 1967 4 30.

[Jerry Entin]

Lothar's first race car was a Dolphin Formula Jr. He bought it off Ken Miles. When he got the car it was black. Lothar painted it White. Lothar's crew was one man. His good friend Walt Levenstein. Lothar Motschenbacher was 24 years old. This was in 1962. Lothar had his novice race at Santa Barbara.
This was the start of Motschenbacher Racing.

[Dennis Currington]

Then that would be the famous #50 now owned by Phil Binks of San Diego. Frank S. has the car documented on his site: http://home.san.rr.c...f/dolphin05.htm

[RA Historian]

Originally posted by Jean L
For the Nickey McLaren M1B,I think it is the Riverside USRRC race 1967 4 30.

That could very well be. I know that his McLaren was violet at the 66 Can Am, but do not know the color for the April, 1967, USRRC. so I will have to go with your view.

[RA Historian]

Originally posted by Dennis Currington
Then THIS should be 1967 at the Stardust:

right.

[Dennis Currington]

In keeping with the Lothar theme, here he is at Riverside in 1968 USRRC race:

[Manfred Cubenoggin]

Great pix of the M6 at work there. iirc, Lothar was 2nd only to Mark Donohue in the USRRC that year. Also, too, irrc, he was using a Ford mill which I seem to remember was rated at 377 CID. What motor basis would this have been, I wonder? And did it sport Gurney-Weslake heads? It would appear from our photo that is on fuel injection as well.