The Lola T160, and its evolution the T165, were purpose-built Group 7 sports prototypes designed for the Can-Am series of 1968. The successor to the T70, the T160 was a lightweight chassis with a big-block V8 and an excellent power-to-weight ratio.
Lola T160 at a glance
| Maker | Lola Cars, Britain |
|---|---|
| Year | 1968 |
| Series | Can-Am, Group 7 |
| Predecessor | Lola T70 |
| Evolution | Lola T165 |
| Chassis | fibreglass moulded into an aluminium monocoque |
| Weight | 670 kg (1,480 lb) |
| Engines | Chevrolet ZL1 or Ford FE big-block |
| Power | 625–750 hp |
| Gearbox | Hewland L.G.500 or L.G.600, four or five speeds |
| Raced until | 1971 |
| Successor | Lola T220, from 1970 |
based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the Lola T160
The T160 was designed and developed by Lola specifically to compete in the Can-Am series in 1968. It was the successor to the competitive T70 and shared similar design and roots, but the chassis was built from fibreglass moulded into an aluminium monocoque body. That kept the weight down to 670 kg, barely more than a litre-class sports racer of the period.
The chassis was designed to accept a small-block engine, but most cars were powered by either the Chevrolet ZL1 or the Ford FE big-block, developing about 625 to 750 hp. With a Hewland L.G.500 or L.G.600 manual gearbox of four or five speeds, the T160 had a notably excellent power-to-weight ratio and was very fast.
The T165 was the evolution of the design, and the T160 remained in active competition until 1971. In 1970 it was succeeded by the new T220, which raced alongside the older cars before they disappeared from the grids.
Design and features
- Big-block power: Chevrolet ZL1 or Ford FE engines of 625 to 750 hp.
- Light chassis: fibreglass moulded into an aluminium monocoque, 670 kg in all.
- Can-Am purpose: designed for Group 7 racing, the fastest sports car series of its day.
- Strong power-to-weight ratio: the combination that made the car competitive until 1971.
Lola T160 versions
- T160 (1968): the original Can-Am car.
- T165: the evolution of the T160.
- Small-block and big-block cars: the chassis accepted a small-block engine, but most were built with Chevrolet or Ford big-blocks.
The T160 replaced the T70 in Lola’s Can-Am line and was itself replaced by the T220. More in the Lola collection.
Sources
- Lola T160, English Wikipedia: design, weight, engines, racing career
