Rev Up the Past: Unleashing the Iconic Lola T163, T222, and T260 – A Blast from the Analog Era

Lola Cars: A Legacy of Racing Excellence

The Founding of Lola Cars

Lola Cars was founded in 1958 by Eric Broadley, a quantity surveyor with a passion for motorsports. Broadley’s first car, the Broad-Ray Special, won several local races, prompting him to develop a production version, the Lola Mk1. The Mk1 was named after the song “Whatever Lola Wants” from the musical “Damn Yankees.”

Early Success and Innovation

In the early days, Lola Cars focused on single-seater machines, but the Mk6 marked a significant shift towards sports prototypes. This design eventually evolved into the Ford GT40. The first open two-seater, the T70, was unveiled at the 1965 London Racing Car Show and won the 1966 Can-Am Challenge Cup with John Surtees.

The T160 and T220

Lola’s Can-Am car evolved into the T160 in 1968, but it failed to achieve spectacular results due to delays and competition from McLaren’s M6A. A revised model, the T220, was developed, featuring a shorter wheelbase to improve driving performance. Although the T220 showed promise, it was plagued by engine problems and handling issues.

The T222 and T260

The T222, an improved version of the T220, was driven by Peter Revson in the 1970 season. However, it was eventually replaced by the T260, which was driven by Jackie Stewart and achieved two wins, giving Lola its first win since 1967.

The Lola T222 and T260 in the Rosso Bianco Museum

The Rosso Bianco Museum features a Lola T222 with chassis number HU222/02, driven by Peter Revson in the 1970 season. The museum also has a T260 with chassis number HU2, which was sold to driver Tom Heyser in the 1972 season.

Images

Lola T163
Lola T222
Lola T260

T. Etoh