The biggest difference between the two new cars was obviously found in the engine compartment. One of the strengths of the Cosworth DFV engine was that it was rigid enough to be used as a stressed member of the chassis, while the smaller, four-cylinder engines required an additional subframe to support the rear suspension loads.

Portuguese privateer racer Carlos Gaspar raced chassis HU04 with much success, and Ray Mallock competed with it in the Thundersports Series during the early 1980s. Here it is seen at the 2010 Le Mans Classic. (Photo: Wouter Melissen)

Another distinguishing factor were the in-board mounted brakes on the 3-liter version, which allowed for wider wheels. The rest of the T280/T290 also followed conventional lines with double wishbones at the front and reversed lower wishbones, top links and twin trailing-arms at the rear.

Clothed in a slippery fiberglass body, the first two T280s were sold to Jo Bonnier, who was also Lola's representative on the European continent. The two cars were fielded by Ecurie Bonnier in the World Championship where they faced very strong competition from the likes of Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Matra and also fellow DFV runners Mirage. In the season-opening long-distance races, the T280s proved quick but also demonstrated the DFV's tendency to vibrate itself and/or the car to pieces. A victory in the March 1972 Le Mans 4 Hours proved the new Lola's potential.

Unfortunately, Le Mans also proved particularly cruel for the T280 and Jo Bonnier as during the 24 Hours later in the year, the Swedish racer crashed his Lola fatally. Ecurie Bonnier continued to run the surviving T280, scoring a victory in the 1000 km of Paris at Montlhery. Two additional chassis were also sold and raced by their respective owners with considerable success. A fifth car was also built up to replace the example crashed at Le Mans. The four surviving T280s were raced for many more years in a wide variety of major and minor events.

HU05, built by Lola to replace a T280 wrecked at Le Mans, ran during the Silverstone round of the 2007 Classic Endurance Racing championship sporting later T282 bodywork. (Photo: Wouter Melissen)

For 1973, the 3- and 2-liter cars evolved into the T282 and T292 with much of the work focusing on improved aerodynamics, resulting in a sharper nose and full-width rear wing. Just one T282 was produced, which was raced extensively by Scuderia Filipinetti in striking Gitanes colours.

Later in the decade, four more 3-liter cars were built, labeled T286 and equipped with the latest bodywork developed for the far more popular T290 derivatives. Due to the limited development work and the very strong competition, these 3-liter cars were not able to keep up the good form shown during the first season.

Although available throughout the 1970s, Lola eventually only produced 10 3-liter chassis. That relatively small number is a stark contrast to the 100-plus examples built of the various T290 varieties. Bonnier's fatal crash has also cast a dark shadow over the T280's early career, when it briefly ranked among the fastest sports racers in the world.

In recent years, all of the surviving cars have resurfaced and have been restored to full running order for their respective owners and enthusiasts alike to enjoy.
For a gallery of photos, see Lola-Cosworth.

Read more stories like this at: The Ultimate Car Page.