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Chassis Num: BR-10
Engine Num: 772

Following the successful debut of three prototypes the year before, 19 Mark 1s were constructed in Bromley, the first Lola factory. Chicago-area distributor Oliver Schmidt worked with Eric Broadley to have chassis number BR-10 fitted with a 750-cc OSCA engine and gearbox to compete in SCCA's H-Modified class. The car was enormously successful, and Schmidt won the class championship in 1961. Its SCCA racing career continued well into the 1960s following a tune-up to 850-cc as SCCA raised H-Modified limited in 1983. the car recently resurfaced after 30 years of storage, and is displayed in 'as-found' condition.

Background
Lola Cars was established in 1958 and within a short period of time, had captured numerous championship titles and overall victories. In 1966 their Lola T70 won the Canadian-American (CanAm) Challenge Cup and the Lola T90 won the Indy 500. A few years later, in 1969, Roger Penske's Lola T70 MK3B won the Daytona 24 Hours. Brian Redman driving a Lola won the SCCA/USAC titles three years running, from 1974 to 1976. These are but a few representations of the Lola success in various forms of racing competition.

The Lola MK1 started it all, weighing in at a mere 860 lbs and powered by a Coventry Climax 1100cc motor that produced 70+ horsepower. The space frame chassis was suspended in place by an independent suspension and in the rear were inboard brakes. The MK1 was very successful in 1960 and would continue this trend through the early 1960s, even against the competitive mid-engines sports racers.

In December of 1947, three Maserati brothers named Bindo, Ettore and Ernesto formed OSCA, short for 'Officine Specializzate Costrutzione Automobili.' Their Tipo MT4 sports racing cars, powered by a variety of engines racing from 1100cc - 1500ccc displacement, captured many important victories during the early 1950s. Their Tipo S-187 was introduced in 1956 and it was powered by a 749cc engine. It was very competitive in the under-750cc class in Europe and the US. The Tipo S-187N version was introduced in 1960 and featured a revised intake and exhaust porting. As the years passed, chassis's from other automakers became more sophisticated and better designed to accept new engine developments. One such constructor was Lola.

This Lola MK1 is chassis number BR-10 and was ordered Porsche/Volkswagen distributor Oliver Schmidt in 1959. The car was ordered with a new S187N OSCA engine but it did not arrive at the Lola works until early 1960. At the time, it was the most powerful and reliable engine available for the H-modified class. It had twin overhead cams, a displacement size of 746cc, and an available 77 horsepower at 7750 RPM.

Schmidt used the car during the 1960 season in the H-Modified category where it was able to continue his winning streak and secure a points championship in hte H-modified class. The following year, Schmidt scored eight firsts and one second in class in 10 SCCA Nationals earning another H-modified championship.

In 1962, Schmidt sold the Lola. The new owners continued its racing career in the northeaster US. In 1963 the engine was bored out to 843cc as the class limitations had been raised to 850cc.

The car was sold in 1968 and by this point in history the H-modified classification had been changed to D-Sports Racing. The Lola continued to be a contender, winning a first in class at the 1968 Marlboro Regional and having strong finishes in a number of the other races. In the 1970s, the ownership again changed, this time to Francis Ginther. The car still had its original OSCA engine even after a decade of competition. Ginther dismantled the car and stored it for over three decades. In 2006 it was reassembled and remains in its original, unrestored condition as last raced in the early 1970s.

In 2007 it was shown at the Amelia Island Concours and later that year, brought to Pebble Beach, CA where it was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction. The car had an estimated value of $300,000 - $350,000. Sadly, it failed to find a bidder willing to satisfy the cars reserve; the lot remained unsold.

With the knowledge gained from the successful Broadly Special project, Eric Broadly began development on an even better racer that would be more sophisticated and competitive than its predecessor. The resulting racer was the MK1 that incorporated a lightweight design matted to many proven components from various manufacturers. The engine weighed just over 200 pounds while the chassis was only 60 pounds. The engine was an 1100 cc Coventry Climax FWA based on the FW, meaning feather weight, four-cylinder mobile fire-pump engine. In standard form the engine had a 9.8:1 compression ratio, 1098 cc displacement, and produced 36 horsepower at 3500 rpm. The Mark II version, which was adapted to the MK1, increased horsepower to an impressive 83 at 6800 rpm.

The vehicle was outfitted with Triumph TR2 brakes fitted with Alfin drums, Austin A30 gearbox and Lotus close-ratio gears, BMC 4.55:1 differential, BMC steering, Morris Minor suspension uprights and 15 inch Cooper wheels. The aluminum body was courtesy of Maurice Gomm. The multi-tubular chassis was constructed from bronze-welded 20 gauge steel tubing creating a lightweight but sturdy base. The suspension was made up of double wishbones in the front and upper/lower wishbones with transverse links in the rear.

The Lola MK1 immediately proved its potential by capturing a second place finish at Snetterton in only its second outing. Soon the orders began flowing in from customers eagerly wanting to get their hands on one. Broadly was able to raise capital for the production of three more MK1's by securing a loan and by selling the original MK1. One of the cars produced was kept as a works car while the other two were sold to privateers, one being an American.

In 1959 the MK1's took first through third at Goodwood while competing in the Chichester Cup. Class wins were scored at Sebring and Nürburgring 1000km. In 1960 a total of 19 examples were created.

The first batch of three MK1's produced in 1958 were given chassis prefix 'BY' which represented ByFleet. The 19 produced in 1960 were given 'BR' chassis prefixes which indicated their Bromley assembly.

The 1960 MK1's were given fiberglass bodies and Mark III FWA engines which boosted horsepower to 90.

Chris Kerrison and Peter Sergent navigated the MK1 to another class victory at Nürburgring 1000km in 1960. Peter Ashdown and Alan Reese finished first and second in the 1960 Autosport Sports Car Championship for the 1150 cc class. Ashdown defended his title again in 1961.

During the 1961 year, seven MK1's were constructed. The following year three were constructed and a one-off known as the MK1A.

The vehicles were built to varying specifications that included a range of brake, engine, suspension, and other mechanical component options. Popular engine choices were the Ford 105E, 109E, Coventry Climax 1100cc, and 1216cc FWE.

The lightweight and sturdy bodies, potent engines, proven mechanical components, talented builder, and experienced drivers were some of the reasons for the MK1 success at the racing circuit.

Photos grouped by event
Gooding & Company	Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance

1960 Lola MK1
Year	1960
Make	Lola
Model	MK1
Engine Location	Front
Drive Type	Rear Wheel
Production Years for Series	1958 - 1962
Combined MPG	0.00

Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown
Chassis Number	BR-10
Engine Number	772

Engine [Optional Engines]
Engine Configuration	I
Cylinders	4
Engine	Coventry Climax FWA
Aspiration/Induction	Normal
Displacement	1098.00 cc \| 67 cu in. \| 1.1 L.
Valvetrain	SOHC
Horsepower	83.00 BHP (61.1 KW) @ 6800.00 RPM
HP / Liter	75.5 BHP / Liter
Compression Ratio	9.8:1
Fuel Type	Gasoline - Petrol

Standard Transmission
Gears	4
Transmission	Manual
Clutch	4.55:1
	Austin A30 gearbox with Lotus close-ratio gears

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1960 Lola MK1