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In 1963 Eric Broadley of Lola Cars (above right with John Wyer) created a sensation when he introduced the Lola MK6 (sometimes called the Lola GT). With an aluminium monocoque chassis, Colotti transaxle and Ford small block V8 it was probably the most advanced sports racing car in the world. It was raced at Le Mans in 1963 and showed enough potential for Henry Ford to buy the project, including the services of Eric Broadley. The Ford GT40 which followed was very closely based on the design of the Lola MK6 and many of its distinctive features such as the doors which continue into the roof to allow fast driver changes were originally seen on the Lola.
Three cars were built, two were Ford engined, but one had already been sold to John Mecom who fitted it with a small block Chevrolet motor - it was driven by the great Augie Pabst to victory in the Nassau TT (He later described it as one of the nicest cars he ever drove). In the following photos, the green car is the Ford powered Lola which raced at Le Mans, while the Blue car is the Chevrolet powered car.
In the above photo the Ford Cortina MK1 rear light clusters can be clearly seen together with the British number plate - the car was road registered and was driven to the Le Mans race circuit to race by Eric Broadley in 1963!
Whereas the Ford powered cars stopped racing when they were acquired by Ford, the John Mecom owned, Chevrolet powered car continued racing through 1964 gaining wider wheels and fender flares as development of the car continued.
The Lola MK6 - as Father of the Ford GT40 - a truly historic car worthy of a place in the game.
now, serious ... awesome car! 👍
