1972 Lola T280
1972 Lola T280
Brand
Lola Cars
Year
1972
Country
Great Britain
Generation
T280
1972 Lola T280
Brand
Lola Cars
Year
1972
Country
Great Britain
Generation
T280
About this car
Discover the history
The 1972 Lola T280 was one of the most significant entries from Lola into the world of sports car racing. Designed by Bob Marston, with contributions from Patrick Head and John Barnard, the T280 was created as a Group 6 prototype for the World Sportscar Championship. Lola had previously experienced success with their T70 models, but by 1972, the company needed to stay competitive against strong entries from Ferrari, Matra, and Alfa Romeo. To achieve this, the T280 was equipped with the legendary 3.0-liter Cosworth DFV engine, which was already a proven force in Formula 1.
The T280 used an aluminum monocoque chassis that was lightweight and innovative for its time. The Cosworth engine acted as a stressed member of the chassis, which helped enhance the car’s rigidity and overall performance. The design also incorporated inboard rear brakes, which allowed for larger rear wheels to handle the increased power output. This mechanical layout, combined with Lola’s aerodynamic design, made the T280 a formidable machine.
Ecurie Bonnier, headed by Swedish driver Jo Bonnier, campaigned the Lola T280 in the 1972 World Championship. However, the car’s early racing career was marked by both promise and tragedy. While it proved fast, with a victory at the 4 Hours of Le Mans in March 1972, it was also plagued by reliability issues. The most notable incident came at the 24 Hours of Le Mans that same year, when Jo Bonnier tragically died in a high-speed crash after a collision with a Ferrari 365 Daytona.
Despite these challenges, the T280 continued to see action in the World Championship, with several other drivers and teams taking over its reins. One notable appearance was by Jean-Pierre Beltoise and Gérard Larrousse, who claimed a win in the 1972 Paris 1000km at Montlhéry with the car. The T280’s design was later evolved into the T282 and T286 models, with modifications to improve performance and reliability, keeping Lola competitive in sports car racing throughout the early 1970s.
The T280 also made its mark in the Japanese Sports Car Championship, with cars being delivered to drivers like Noritake Takahara. Another unit was delivered to Carlos Gaspar, which saw limited action but further showcased the car’s international appeal.
Today, the Lola T280 is remembered as an important piece of endurance racing history. Only five examples were built, making it a rare and sought-after collector’s car. Several of these cars, including chassis HU5, have been meticulously restored and continue to compete in historic racing events like the Le Mans Classic and the Peter Auto series. This legacy ensures that the T280 remains a prominent figure in the golden age of sports car racing, when Lola battled iconic marques like Ferrari and Matra for supremacy in endurance racing.
