For those who frequent historic racing circuits, the sound of a Lola T70 is unmistakable—a visceral, thunderous bellow that once intimidated the giants of the mid-1960s automotive world. Now, after decades of dormancy and a complex corporate rebirth, the Lola T70 return is no longer just a memory for collectors; It’s a tangible, road-legal reality.
Lola Cars, the storied British engineering firm, is reviving one of its most formidable prototype sports cars through a precision restomod project. Rather than producing a modern interpretation that merely wears a classic badge, the company is utilizing archival drawings and high-resolution scans of original chassis to create a one-on-one recreation. The result is the T70S and the T70S GT, two variants that blend 1960s aesthetics with contemporary safety and sustainable materials.
This revival comes at a pivotal moment for the brand. After officially ceasing operations in 2012 following a series of financial struggles, the Lola name resurfaced in 2022 to develop the drivetrain for the next-generation Formula E cars introduced in 2024. Now under the ownership of Till Bechtolsheimer—a figure well-known in the tech world as a co-founder of Sun Microsystems—Lola is pivoting back to its roots in high-performance internal combustion.
A Legacy of Can-Am and Daytona
To understand the significance of the T70, one must look back to 1965, when it was introduced to replace the Mk6 sports prototype. The car quickly established itself as a titan of the track, winning the Monterey Grand Prix at Laguna Seca in its debut year. By 1966, the T70 had secured the Can-Am Championship under the guidance of John Surtees, winning five of the six races in the series.
The T70’s versatility was its greatest strength, available as both a coupe and a spyder across three generations. It became a frequent foe to the likes of Ferrari, Ford, and Porsche. Perhaps its most enduring achievement occurred in 1969, when Mark Donahue and Chuck Parsons piloted the iconic blue-and-yellow Sunoco Lola T70 to an overall victory at the Daytona 24 Hours, defeating legendary competitors like the Ford GT40 and the Porsche 908.
Beyond the podiums, the T70 cemented its place in pop culture through its appearance in the cult-classic film Le Mans, where it served as a primary rival to Steve McQueen’s Porsche 917. Over its competitive lifespan, the model is credited with more than 230 official race wins, making it one of the most successful prototypes of its era.
Engineering the Restomod: T70S vs. T70S GT
The new project splits the T70’s DNA into two distinct paths: a track-focused weapon and a road-legal “homologation special” that never existed in the original production run. Both cars maintain the original’s low-slung nose, stacked headlights, and the characteristic “cut-off” tail with an integrated spoiler.
The T70S is the purist’s choice. It features an aluminum monocoque chassis and a 5.0-liter Chevrolet V8 producing approximately 500 bhp. Weighing in at just 860 kg, it maintains a power-to-weight ratio similar to the original racers. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a Hewland five-speed transmission.
The T70S GT, however, is designed for the street. Because it must comply with modern safety regulations, it is slightly heavier but compensates with a more potent 620 bhp Chevrolet V8 and a Lola-spec Hewland six-speed gearbox. According to company specifications, the GT can sprint from 0 to 100 kph in 2.9 seconds, with a claimed top speed of 200 mph.
| Feature | T70S (Track) | T70S GT (Road) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5.0L Chevrolet V8 | Chevrolet V8 |
| Horsepower | ~500 bhp | 620 bhp |
| Transmission | Hewland 5-Speed | Hewland 6-Speed |
| 0-100 kph | < 4 seconds (est.) | 2.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | ~200 mph | 200 mph |
From a technical standpoint, the most intriguing update is the body construction. In a nod to modern sustainability, the body is crafted from a 100% petro-chemically free material using natural fibers and plant-based resins. This allows the car to look identical to the fiberglass originals even as reducing the environmental footprint of its production.
The “Happy Few” and the Path Forward
The interior of the T70S GT reflects a “Spartan by design” philosophy, developed in collaboration with Neil Ferrier’s design firm, Discommon. While it remains minimal, the GT adds Alcantara trim, climate control, and a revised instrument cluster to make the 200 mph experience slightly more bearable for the driver.
Exclusivity is a core component of the project. Lola Cars intends to build only 16 units of the T70S and 16 of the T70S GT. While the price remains undisclosed, the combination of bespoke engineering, archival accuracy, and limited production places these vehicles firmly in the category of high-end collectibles.
The return of the T70 represents more than just a nostalgia trip; it is a demonstration of how archival data and modern materials can preserve automotive history. By bridging the gap between the raw, dangerous era of 1960s racing and the precision of 21st-century manufacturing, Lola is ensuring that the “thunderous bellow” of the T70 continues to be heard on both the track and the open road.
Interested collectors and enthusiasts can find further details and official updates via the company’s primary portal at LolaCars.co.uk.
We would love to hear your thoughts on this revival. Does the use of plant-based resins make sense for a V8 powerhouse, or should a restomod stay strictly traditional? Share your views in the comments below.
