Lola T70: The Bold British Racer That Challenged Legends

Defiant Speed - Every so often in automotive history, a machine emerges that doesn’t just chase victory—it redefines how the race is run. Born from bold ideas and built with a craftsman’s eye for detail, these cars don’t rely on flashy badges or corporate muscle to make an impression. Instead, they earn respect the hard way: by being faster, smarter, and often more daring than their rivals. That’s exactly where the Lola T70 fits in—a car that may not be a household name, but on the race tracks of the 1960s, it spoke louder than most.

The Lola T70 earned respect the hard way—by being faster, bolder, and more capable than many of its better-known rivals on the race tracks of the 1960s. (Picture from: Cars.Bonham)

Lola Cars, the company behind this masterpiece, was never about mass production or marketing glitz. Founded in 1958 by Eric Broadley in the quiet town of Bromley, just outside London, Lola quickly carved out a reputation for building focused, competitive race cars. What started as a small workshop creating front-engined sports cars evolved rapidly into one of the most feared names in international motorsport. And by the mid-60s, Lola wasn't just participating—it was dominating.

The Lola T70 stood out not just for its results, but for its head-turning design—low, wide, and aggressive in all the right ways. (Picture from: Cars.Bonham)

The turning point came in 1966 with the introduction of the T70, a machine purpose-built for the brutal demands of Group 7 and Can-Am racing. With John Surtees behind the wheel, the T70 thundered through the competition, securing a commanding win in the inaugural Can-Am series. That same year, Graham Hill powered a Lola T80-based car to victory at the Indianapolis 500, proving that Lola’s engineering was not just quick—it was versatile and world-class.

The Lola T70 marked a major breakthrough in 1966, when, purpose-built for the fierce demands of Group 7 and Can-Am racing, it powered John Surtees to a dominant victory in the inaugural Can-Am series. (Picture from: Cars.Bonham)

What made the T70 truly special wasn’t just its results, but its design. It had the kind of styling that made you stop and stare—low, wide, and aggressive in all the right ways. Beneath the bodywork was a lightweight yet rigid chassis, and under the rear deck sat the heart of a lion: a Chevrolet V8 that delivered relentless power and a soundtrack that echoed through the paddocks. Whether sprinting down straightaways or diving into corners, the T70 had the kind of balance and confidence that made it feel alive in a driver’s hands.

The Lola T70 featured a lightweight yet rigid chassis beneath its striking bodywork, with a roaring Chevrolet V8 under the rear deck that delivered relentless power and an unforgettable soundtrack. (Picture from: Cars.Bonham)

But Eric Broadley wasn’t done. In 1967, he pushed Lola into new territory, challenging the likes of Ferrari, Ford, and Porsche in endurance racing. The result was the T70 Mk III Coupe—a sleek evolution of the original, now wearing a roof and refined for longer, grueling events like Le Mans and the Nürburgring. Though it looked like a missile, the Coupe was more than just fast—it was the first Lola to benefit from wind tunnel testing, thanks to the aerodynamic expertise of Tony Southgate.

The Lola T70 delivered a sense of balance and confidence—whether charging down straights or attacking corners—that made it feel truly alive in a driver’s hands. (Picture from: Cars.Bonham)

This development led to some radical choices. Instead of following the trend of sloping rear ends for aerodynamic drag reduction, Lola went in the opposite direction, opting for a high, flat tail with a lip spoiler. The result? More drag, yes—but also three times the downforce of its rivals. That extra grip translated into superior handling and high-speed stability, traits that mattered far more than theoretical top speeds during an endurance race.

The Lola T70 took a radical aerodynamic approach by rejecting the common sloping rear design in favor of a high, flat tail with a lip spoiler—resulting in increased drag but generating three times the downforce of its rivals. (Picture from: Cars.Bonham)

Powering the T70 Coupe was still the tried-and-true Chevy V8, available in 5.5 to 6.0-liter configurations. Delivering around 460 horsepower, it offered a near-perfect blend of muscle and reliability. And because Lola designed the car with private teams in mind, it was surprisingly accessible for a vehicle of its capability. It allowed smaller outfits to take part in the world’s most prestigious endurance races without needing the deep pockets of a factory-backed team. | PcQmOzrpZpg | hXg8NjoPbDE |

What the Lola T70 achieved was rare: a harmony between beauty, brawn, and balance. It wasn’t built to be a legend—it became one because it dared to challenge convention. With every lap, it proved that brilliance doesn’t need a big name or a big budget. It just needs a bold idea, a dedicated team, and the courage to build something different. That’s the legacy the T70 left on the tarmac—and it’s one that still inspires racers and dreamers today. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORSPORTSMAGAZINE | CARS.BONHAM | SUPERCARS.NET | CLASSICDRIVER | HOTROD | CARS.BONHAM | SBARRO.PHCALVET.FR ]

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