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1970 Lola T165

The British based Lola Cars International Ltd. Company was founded by Eric Broadley in 1958 and was in operation until 2012. Its existence began from humble beginnings, building front-engined sports cars, then Formula Juniors, before entering a wider range of sporting vehicles. They became one of the top chassis suppliers in the 1960s, building cars that raced in Formula One, Formula 5000, USAC/CART/Champ car, Formula Two, Formula 3000, CanAm, and many other series. Among its most memorable and successful cars were the T70s that won the inaugural Can-Am Challenge Cup with driver John Surtees in 1966.

The CanAm series became very popular with manufacturers and spectators, as the nearly wide-open formula had very few restrictions, allowing technology to quickly evolve, and top speeds reach new heights. The highly experimental nature of the Group 7 competition was a proving ground for cutting-edge technology, where the world's top drivers brought the car's to its limits, offered their design feedback, resulting in further improvements. While the T70 was very successful during the 1966 season, it became obsolete a year later by new racecars from other manufacturers. Broadley continued to fill customer orders for the Roadster and Coupe version of the T70, while concurrently developing a new racecar for the 1968 season. The car, dubbed the T160, was a new design that continued to utilize many of the design principles of the T70. A new big-block V8 engine was installed in the aluminum monocoque chassis and clothed with a fiberglass body featuring a 'Kamm' tail.

Twelve examples of the Lola T160 were built and although an improvement of the T70, they were not to the same level as the works McLarens. Steady improvements resulted in the T162, followed by the T163 for the 1969 season. Chassis modifications of the T163 allowed the engine to rest an inch lower in the chassis, improving the car's center of gravity resulting in better handling and performance. A much taller rear wing was installed to increase the downforce at speed. The McLarens featuring the 'Bruce and Denny show' continued their race-winning ways, but the T163 proved to be a worthy adversary, with Chuck Parsons in the Simonz backed car providing many notable finishes.

For the 1970 season, new rules were introduced which prohibited large wings, prompting Lola to make revisions and further evolve the design, resulting in the T165. These changes were made concurrently with the development of an all-new T220 for the works team. The T165 was the final evolution of the T160 series and four examples were built. Many of the prior T160 series cars were upgraded to the new specification and bodywork.

The Chevrolet-powered V8 engine had an aluminum block and head and a displacement of 427 cubic-inches. Fitted with Lucas fuel injection, the overhead valve engine developed upwards of 650 horsepower. It used ventilated disc brakes, a Hewland LG600 five-speed gearbox, and a suspension comprised of double wishbones in the front with coil springs and anti-roll bars. The rear setup used reversed lower wishbones, anti-roll bars, coil springs over dampers, twin trailing arms, and top links.

The T165 was the final evolution of the T160 series and approximately 25 examples of all T160 versions were built.

by Dan Vaughan

Sports Roadster
Chassis number: SL165-22

This Lola T160 was originally owned by the Chicago-area racing team owner and financier Carl Haas. It was raced extensively by Jack Hinkle from 1972–79, and it was featured in an April 1972 Road & Track article profiling Hinkle. Paul Newman raced it at heartland in Topeka, Kansas in 1989.

This car has its original SCCA vehicle logbooks documenting its racing history throughout its competitive life.

In the late 1990s, the car received a meticulous restoration by Bruce Canepa, and the fiberglass exterior was finished in red as a tribute to Hinkle. The car has its polished aluminum trim, Jim Hall's famous West Texas–proven wing, and authentic 1970 Chevrolet/Chaparral 427 big-block V-8 producing over 900 horsepower.

by Dan Vaughan

The Lola T70 was replaced by the T160 in 1968. The following year, the T-160 which had undergone developmental improvements through the 1968 season, was dubbed the T163. Sadly, the T160 and T163 were unable to carry on the tradition of the highly successful T70. Though they scored several important victories, they were unable to provide real competition for the dominate McLarens and failed to capture the Championship.

The Lola T160, T162, and T163 were never able to score a victory in the Can-Am series, but were able to capture many podium finishes with many top-six finishes.

The final derivative of the T160 series was the T165 which was introduced in 1970. These were customer cars; the factory backed cars were the T220 and T222 with the T222 entered mid-season as a replacement for the wrecked T220. The T222 had a wider wheelbase than the T220 and its best finish was a second place for the Peter Revson team.

by Dan Vaughan