Lola T70 Revival: Road-Legal Restomod of a 1960s Racing Legend

The Lola T70 is one of the most iconic sports prototype racing cars of the 1960s. Its thunderous V8 roar and aggressive stance made it a formidable competitor against Ferrari, Ford, and Porsche. Now, over half a century later, the name has been revived with a modern recreation that honors the original while adding road-legal capabilities.

Lola Cars: A Legacy of Engineering Excellence

Lola Cars, founded in 1958 by Eric Broadley in the United Kingdom, quickly became a respected name in motorsport. Over its history, the company amassed more than 500 championships and countless race victories across various disciplines, including Formula 1, Can-Am, endurance racing, and even Formula E. Among its notable achievements are the Honda RA300, which won the 1967 Italian Grand Prix, and the Nissan R90CK, which set a trap speed record at Le Mans that still stands. But the T70 remains one of its most celebrated creations.

The Original Lola T70: A Racing Icon

The Lola T70 debuted in 1965 as a successor to the Mk6 sports prototype. It achieved immediate success, winning the Monterey Grand Prix at Laguna Seca in its first year. In 1966, John Surtees drove it to the Can-Am Championship, winning five of six races. The car evolved through several versions, including the MKII Spyder, MKIII Coupe, and MKIIIB, before being replaced by the T160. Over 100 units were built, a significant number for a sports prototype.

Constructed with an aluminum monocoque chassis and fiberglass body, the T70 was lightweight and agile. Most were powered by Chevrolet V8 engines, typically the 327ci small-block, producing around 420 horsepower. This gave the car a 0-100 km/h time of under four seconds and a top speed approaching 200 mph. Its most famous victory came in 1969 when Mark Donohue and Chuck Parsons won the Daytona 24 Hours in the blue-and-yellow Sunoco-liveried T70, defeating rivals like the Porsche 908 and Ford GT40. The T70 also gained cinematic fame in the cult classic film Le Mans, where it raced against Steve McQueen's Porsche 917.

The Revival: Lola T70S and T70S GT

After Lola Cars ceased operations in 2012, the brand was revived in 2022 under new ownership. The latest project is a faithful recreation of the T70, developed using original archival drawings and 3D scans to ensure accuracy. The result is the T70S, a track-focused version, and the T70S GT, a road-legal variant. Both cars retain the original's aggressive silhouette, with its low nose, stacked headlights, wrap-around cockpit, and distinctive cut-off tail.

The T70S features an aluminum monocoque chassis and a 5.0-liter Chevrolet V8 producing around 500 horsepower, giving it a power-to-weight ratio similar to the original. It weighs just 860 kilograms and is equipped with a Hewland five-speed gearbox, period-correct magnesium wheels, and fully adjustable double-wishbone suspension. The bodywork is made from a sustainable material using natural fibers and plant-based resin, a nod to modern environmental concerns.

The T70S GT, designed for road use, is slightly heavier due to safety regulations but boasts a more powerful 620-horsepower V8 mated to a six-speed gearbox. It can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 200 mph. The interior, designed by Neil Ferrier's firm Discommon, is deliberately minimalist, featuring Alcantara trim, a revised instrument cluster, and climate control.

A Collector's Dream

Only 16 examples of each variant will be built, with prices undisclosed. This exclusivity makes the T70S a rich collector's toy, but it also serves as a tribute to one of racing's golden eras. For enthusiasts, the revival of the Lola T70 is a celebration of the spirit of 1960s and 1970s motorsport, blending classic design with modern engineering. As the original car remains a benchmark in racing history, this new interpretation ensures its legacy continues for a new generation.

For those interested in acquiring one, more information is available through Lola Cars directly. The T70S and T70S GT represent a unique opportunity to own a piece of motorsport history, reimagined for the modern era.