Experience the Thunder: The Legendary Lola T70 Returns to Rule the Roads and Tracks!
The Enduring Legacy of Lola Cars: A History Forged in Motorsport Innovation and Triumph
For decades, Lola Cars has stood as a titan in the realm of motorsport engineering. Established by Eric Broadley in 1958, the British firm boasts an unparalleled record of success, accumulating over 500 championships across a diverse spectrum of racing disciplines. From the pinnacle of Formula 1 to the raw power of Can-Am, and the grueling endurance races to the electrified future of Formula E, Lola's influence has been pervasive. Among its many groundbreaking designs, the Honda RA300, victorious at the 1967 Italian Grand Prix, and the Nissan R90CK Group C sports car, still holding a top speed record at Le Mans, are testaments to its engineering prowess. However, it is arguably the formidable T70 that remains one of Lola's most iconic and revered creations, etching its name into the annals of racing history.
The Rise of a Racing Icon: Tracing the T70's Dominance and Evolution on the Circuit
Introduced in 1965 as the successor to the Mk6 sports prototype, the Lola T70 swiftly cemented its status as a championship contender. Its debut year saw a victory at the prestigious Monterey Grand Prix at Laguna Seca, and by 1966, under the masterful driving of John Surtees, it secured the Can-Am Championship, winning five of six races. Throughout its competitive lifespan, the T70 evolved through various iterations, including the original, the MKII Spyder, the MKIII Coupe, and the MKIIIB, before eventually being succeeded by the T160. With over 100 units produced, the T70 achieved significant production numbers for a specialized sports prototype. Characterized by its lightweight aluminum monocoque chassis and fiberglass body, the T70 was typically powered by American V8 engines, most notably the Chevrolet 327ci small-block. This potent 5.4-liter engine, delivering approximately 420bhp, propelled the T70 from 0 to 100 kph in under 4 seconds and to a top speed nearing 320 kph. A pivotal moment in its history was the 1969 Daytona 24 Hours, where Mark Donahue and Chuck Parsons piloted the Sunoco Lola T70 to overall victory, besting formidable rivals like the Porsche 908 and Ford GT40. The T70 later found itself in direct competition with legends such as the Porsche 917 and Ferrari 512, accumulating over 230 official race wins. Beyond the track, its iconic presence was further amplified by its prominent role in the classic film Le Mans, starring Steve McQueen.
From Bankruptcy to Revival: The Rebirth of Lola Cars and the T70 Restomod Project
Following a challenging period, including a brief and ultimately unsuccessful venture into Formula 1 in the 1990s that led to bankruptcy and operational cessation in 2012, Lola Cars has experienced a remarkable resurgence. Under the leadership of Till Bechtolsheimer, the brand re-emerged in 2022, initially focusing on developing powertrains for the next generation of Formula E cars. Now, Lola's latest and most ambitious undertaking is the revitalization of the T70. This isn't merely a modern interpretation, but a meticulously crafted, road-legal restomod that aims to faithfully capture the essence and exhilarating experience of the original. The exterior design, with its distinctive low-slung nose, stacked headlights, wrap-around cockpit, pronounced rear hips with air intakes, and characteristic cut-off tail spoiler, retains its menacing yet beautiful aesthetic. This modern T70S embodies a continuation of Lola's racing heritage, engineered for unparalleled performance and driving excitement, with a forward-thinking approach to sustainable production. While maintaining the original's construction blueprint, it incorporates contemporary materials and advanced methods to enhance structural integrity and integrate essential safety features required for modern regulations.
Unveiling the New T70S and T70S GT: Track-Focused Performance Meets Road-Legal Luxury
The newly developed Lola T70S will be offered in two distinct variants, both meticulously recreated using archival drawings and 3D scans of an original car to ensure absolute fidelity. The T70S, the track-focused iteration, pays homage to the Sunoco-sponsored Lola T70 that conquered Daytona, featuring a dark blue livery with yellow pinstripes. This version delivers a power-to-weight ratio akin to the original, utilizing a 5.0-liter Chevrolet V8 engine generating approximately 500bhp, effortlessly propelling its 860kg frame. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a Hewland five-speed transmission. Notably, the body is constructed from a petrochemical-free material, incorporating natural fibers and a plant-based resin, highlighting a commitment to sustainability. The T70S is outfitted with period-correct magnesium alloy wheels, knock-off wheel nuts, and a fully adjustable suspension geometry with double-wishbones at each corner. Complementing this is the T70S GT, presented in a light blue hue, a road-legal variant conceived as a "homologation special that never was," as Lola never produced a road-going version of the original T70. This variant, slightly heavier due to additional safety requirements, houses a more powerful 620bhp Chevrolet V8, paired with a bespoke Lola-spec Hewland 6-speed gearbox. It achieves 0 to 100 kph in a blistering 2.9 seconds and boasts a top speed of 200 mph. Despite identical dimensions, the T70S GT offers enhanced comfort for road use, albeit with a deliberately spartan interior designed in collaboration with Neil Ferrier's Discommon. The cabin features Alcantara trim, a refined instrument cluster, and climate control, balancing minimalist aesthetics with essential amenities.
Exclusivity and Nostalgia: A Rare Opportunity for Discerning Enthusiasts
Production of both the T70S and T70S GT will be strictly limited to just 16 units each, with pricing available upon inquiry. While undoubtedly catering to an exclusive clientele, these projects are celebrated for reigniting the allure of what many consider the golden age of racing. The faithful recreation of such an iconic machine, infused with modern engineering and a commitment to sustainability, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of 1960s and 1970s motorsport, making these vehicles highly desirable for those who appreciate the fusion of historical reverence and contemporary innovation.