Franco Sbarro’s Lola T70: A Road-Legal Tribute to Racing Legend

Velocity Reborn - In the vibrant world of motorsports history, few names echo with the same mechanical poetry as the Ford GT40 and its kin. These were cars not merely engineered for speed, but for purpose — born out of fierce rivalries and fueled by daring innovation. Among those who shared this vision of purposeful performance was Eric Broadley, whose Lola T70 became a pivotal chapter in race car lore. But what happens when a car built for the track dares to cross into the realm of the road? That’s where Franco Sbarro enters the picture, with his singular vision and unmatched craftsmanship. 

The Sbarro Lola T70 is a road-going version of the Lola T70 MkIII racing car, built in limited numbers by Franco Sbarro through his company ACA (Atelier de Construction Automobile) between approximately 1974 and 1976. (Picture from: Classic And Recreation Sportscars in Facebook)

The Lola T70 wasn’t just another machine chasing podium finishes — it was the culmination of Broadley’s deep involvement in sports car racing and his formative experience designing the early Ford GT40. When tensions between Broadley and Ford reached a boiling point, the British engineer struck back on his own terms, creating the Lola T70 MkI spyder as a continuation of his ideas. 

The Sbarro Lola T70 is captured in a 1975 photograph alongside its creator, Franco Sbarro, showcasing the man behind the machine. (Picture from: Sbarro/PhCalvet.fr)

This foundation evolved into the MkIII coupe, first revealed in 1967, with a sleek, enclosed body styled by Peter Bohanna and Jim Clarke, complete with dramatic gull-wing doors. While the car didn’t secure dominance on the racetrack due to limited manufacturer support, its allure never faded. It gained admiration not only for its aesthetics but also for its raw, untamed performance.

Two Lola T70s are seen parked in front of Franco Sbarro’s ACA (Atelier de Construction Automobile) workshops in Grandson, Switzerland, capturing a rare glimpse of these iconic machines at the birthplace of their limited road-going transformation. (Picture from: Sbarro/PhCalvet.fr)

This admiration extended to one Franco Sbarro — a man already well-versed in the language of race machines. During his tenure as chief mechanic for the famed Scuderia Filipinetti, Sbarro worked intimately with legendary models like the Ferrari P3 and the Ford GT40, absorbing their intricacies and refining his craftsmanship. 

The Sbarro-type Lola T70 HH is equipped with a 300 hp Porsche 935 turbo engine, capable of reaching a top speed of 310 kph, blending race-bred power with road-going ambition. (Picture from: Sbarro/PhCalvet.fr)

This experience would prove invaluable when he began crafting replicas using original Lola parts. His work was so precise and faithful to the originals that even Eric Broadley took notice. In fact, Broadley personally commissioned Sbarro to build a road-legal Lola T70 MkIII for his own use — a gesture of trust and mutual respect between two minds shaped by the racing world.

The Sbarro Lola T70 HH is shown with its bodywork fully opened, revealing the intricate engineering and race-inspired layout beneath its striking exterior. (Picture from: Sbarro/PhCalvet.fr)

Sbarro spent about a year completing this extraordinary commission, eventually handing over a British Racing Green masterpiece to Broadley himself. Yet that was only the beginning. Through his company ACA (Atelier de Construction Automobile), Sbarro went on to build a limited series of these remarkable road-going variants. Using ten original chassis and a monocoque body as a template, he crafted just nine official examples of the Lola T70 MkIII for the street. Each one was a true labor of love, blending precise engineering with handcrafted artistry.

The Sbarro Lola T70 features a leather-trimmed interior, adding a touch of comfort and refinement to its otherwise raw, race-inspired design. (Picture from: Sbarro/PhCalvet.fr)

While many clients chose to stick with the race-proven Chevrolet V8 engine, others ventured into more unconventional territory, equipping their cars with powerplants like a Ferrari V12 or a Porsche 3.3-liter turbocharged flat-six, known as the Sbarro Lola T70 HH. Regardless of engine choice, all the Sbarro-built Lolas shared identical bodywork and chassis layouts, staying true to the essence of the original MkIII. 

The Sbarro Lola T70 with chassis number SL-106 was offered for sale in Paris in 2014 through RM Auctions, highlighting its rarity and collector appeal. (Picture from: Sbarro/PhCalvet.fr)

These were not comfortable cruisers, however. Space inside was tight, visibility was poor, and entry required the kind of agility not often found outside a gymnasium. For taller or less flexible drivers, simply getting behind the wheel was a challenge. And yet, that was part of the car’s charm. The Sbarro Lola wasn’t meant to be easy. It was a distilled experience — a raw, raucous reminder that driving could be demanding and deeply rewarding.  

The Sbarro Lola T70 looks impressive from most angles, but its rear end is considered less elegant, focusing more on function than style. (Picture from: Sbarro/PhCalvet.fr)

Despite the addition of leather-trimmed interiors, air conditioning, and even a clever trunk with drawer-style storage, this was still very much a competition-bred vehicle. Driving it on public roads required both skill and courage. But when conditions allowed, and the throttle opened wide, it could push well beyond 300 km/h, delivering an experience that bordered on the transcendent. Please note that the following video features a Lola T70 replica, not one of the models built by Franco Sbarro, and is shown for illustration purposes only. | 6l6kx-gR9Ak | 

Today, these Sbarro-built Lola T70 MkIII coupes stand as rare expressions of passion meeting precision. They are not merely replicas; they are painstaking recreations, endorsed by the original designer and brought to life by a mechanic who understood every curve, bolt, and roar of the machines he loved. It’s a story of shared vision — between Broadley’s original dream and Sbarro’s meticulous execution — proving that even the wildest race cars can find a second life, not just on the track, but on the open road as well. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS.NET | CLASSICDRIVER | HOTROD | CARS.BONHAM | SBARRO.PHCALVET.FR | CLASSIC AND RECREATION SPORTSCAR IN FACEBOOK | WIKIPEDIA ]

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