Fantasy Junction

Description

1985 Lola T900S Race Car - LIVE on Bring a Trailer

VIN – MI0145A206L060909
Color - Red “Beatrice Foods” 1985 Racing Livery
Interior - Black
Engine –Cosworth 800 hp turbocharged fuel-injected 161 cu. in. V8
Transmission – 5-speed manual transaxle

Highlights of This Car

1985 Mario Andretti Indy car placing 2nd at the infamous “spin and win” race
One of only 21 Lola T900s built and the last of the analog Indy cars
Comprehensively restored to 1985 racing livery

General History

Established in 1958 by Eric Broadley, a brilliant engineer and determined businessman, Lola cars was a fledgling company eager to build their name in the growing field of competitive motorsports. The UK based company began their engineering developments building front-engine sports cars, rapidly expanding their offerings into more ambitious ventures. History would unfold some of the most iconic race cars including the Lola Mk6 coupe, fitted with a Ford engine. Broadley would be tapped for innovative contributions to the development of the Ford GT40 and millions of dollars of engineering advances funded by Ford to fuel their juggernaut 1-2-3 win at Le Mans.

Additional developments ensued for Lola with new investor interests through the 1970s and into the 1980s with the 1983 arrival of Carl Haas and a promising Haas Lola F1 program funded by American food conglomerate Beatrice Foods. The development of the T900 1985 Lola team for the Indy Car World Series would include some of the biggest names in racing including A.J. Foyt, Mario and Michael Andretti, and Al Unser to name a few. The 1985 season started out strong for Mario Andretti in the Carl Haas/Beatrice T900 winning at Long Beach, taking second at the Indy 500, and winning again at Milwaukee and Portland.

State of the art technology for the T900 included a Kevlar honeycomb composite top section with a monocoque structure and alloy carbon-fiber lower section as well as machined aluminum/composite honeycomb sandwich bulkheads to make up the main structure. The fully stressed engine and rear suspension served as an integral part of the chassis resulting in superb torsional rigidity for the rigors of high-speed racing. The Indy cars were prepared with pre-preg honeycomb engine and side covers with carbon fiber front wings and an alloy or carbon-fiber rear wing. Lola rack and pinion steering, cast magnesium alloy independent suspension uprights, coaxial coil springs, and “live” chrome steel hubs running low friction bearings, as well as driver controlled adjustable anti-roll bar were all specified for the T900. A.P. Hydraulic 4-piston calipers with ventilated disc brakes and separate front and rear master cylinders were employed for braking. Interestingly, the engine and transmission were designed with a specially cast magnesium bellhousing cleverly engineered to locate the turbocharger in a lower position, giving the car a more favorable center of gravity and reducing airflow turbulence to the rear wing. Among the many technically sophisticated engineering details employed in the development of the T900, Beatrice Foods resources allowed Haas and the Lola team to utilize the latest in computer technology to shape the body, chassis, and revise design ideas which drastically reduced development time. At the heart of the T900, the Cosworth quad-cam V8 engine, outfitted with both fuel-injection and turbocharging, developed an impressive and reliable 800hp.

History of This Car

This significant Lola is integral to one of the most memorable motorsports events in racing history. With Mario Andretti leading the race in this car, the 1985 Indy 500 was underway when Danny Sullivan attempted to pass Andretti who had steadily worked his way to first place from a 4th position starting point. In the first 100 laps, the race appeared to be largely fought between these two drivers when, on lap 120, Sullivan attempted to pass Andretti in turn 1, lost control, spun 360 degrees at full speed, leaving Andretti to assume the lead. Incredibly, Sullivan was able to recover the full spin without damage to either car. Andretti retained his lead, but Sullivan eventually passed him, placing Andretti and this Lola in second place. The Sullivan “spin and win” moniker remains today an historic part of the many legendary and spine-tingling racing events that make up the colorful world of motorsports.

After retiring from racing, this Lola was purchased by Indy racing collector, restorer, and historian Don Lyons, owner of the Don Lyons Collection. At that time, the car was operational, retained the original tub and the vast majority of the original components critical to an authentic restoration. Lyons embarked on a sensitive restoration, retaining as much of the original components as raced in 1985. The Beatrice livery was faithfully repainted, depicting the car as it raced in that fateful Indy 500. As one of the last analog Indy cars constructed, it is not only a beautifully built car, the clean lines, impressive construction, and superb restoration reflect the historic import of this car for both Lola and Indy 500 history.

Today this Lola remains as a stunning work of technical motorsports artistry worthy of any automotive enthusiast’s appreciation. The bodywork is both functional and beautifully formed with excellent finishes including vivid red paint, high quality graphics, and accurate details as prepared for the 1985 racing season. The design is pure and clean, reflecting the genesis of what would become state-of-the-art construction and design that dominates race cars nearly 40 years later. The carefully engineered suspension, floating rear wing, and massive side panels all hover around the driver, aligned with the core of this capable Indy car, the potent 800hp Cosworth engine. Once again, core design elements that still dominate race car construction still in use today.

Construction details for the engine, suspension, fuel system, brakes, and gearbox are all superbly presented. The underside of the car and the original tub reflect no evidence of structural damage. The features, fasteners, and construction throughout the car appear consistent with uncompromised chassis and suspension components from this era. Since the completed restoration, this Lola has been used primarily for display purposes, thus we highly recommend a capable race shop to review the car and endeavor a full recommissioning should the next owner wish to use it in a competitive event or as an exhibition racecar.

This Lola is accompanied by copies of purchase documents from 2009 and a set of four Good Year competition tires sized to match the wheels currently mounted on the car.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

Inquire About This Car

Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608