Design Features of the Lola T200 Formula Ford

Here's article number twelve in British Racecar's Formula Ford series:
A Close-up Look at Kurt Fischer's Lola T200 Formula Ford (53 photos)

It's an exceptionally handsome car, isn't it! Moreover, the T200 is technically quite distinctive from all the cars that raced in Formula Ford before it. Please let me know if I got facts crossed up in the write-up or captions so I can make any necessary corrections. If you're enjoying these articles, please consider tossing some change in the tip jar.


http://www.britishracecar.com/KurtFi...ola-T200-A.jpg

Ten days, and no one has commented here about the Lola article. Not interested?

I thought it was interesting that Lola went to the trouble and cost of fabricating front uprights instead of using Triumph Herald units like most other early FF constructors. Why do you think they did so? Dave Craddock mentioned offline that live stub axles are a high-class feature... but were they overkill on a Formula Ford? (What's the point of them? Lower friction?)

http://www.britishracecar.com/KurtFi...la-T200-CD.jpg

I just saw your post for the first time. Love the T200s and hope to own one.

Great post!

Ralph :greenflag:

Curtis, another great article and truly spectacular pictures. With the arrival of the off-season - not to mention the upcoming holidays - racing is probably on the back burner for many Apex folks!! Rest assured the article is VERY much appreciated by many nevertheless. Keep them coming. My FF website is temporarily "frozen" but I hope to get it moving again before too long. When that happens, I'd like to add links to your articles. Cheers, John M.

Great articles. My first formula ford was a Lola T202. These cars had a very short wheelbase and one of the previous owners of my car tried to lengthen it by moving the front suspension pickups forward. The car scared me, it would handle ok then all of the sudden snap sideways, had two big crashes in the Lola and never knew why! It was easy to sell because Lolas always looked good, Lola knew that styling sold more cars in the US rather than race wins.

just haven't had time to look through your comprehensive folio on the Lola T-200/2/4

i shared a T-202 briefly in 1974 and compared to an Alexis that car was a CADILLAC

a real well built racecar and yes perhaps the front uprights where a little bit "over the top"

sound, solid, comfortable, no junk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paddy O'Brien

Great articles. My first formula ford was a Lola T202. These cars had a very short wheelbase and one of the previous owners of my car tried to lengthen it by moving the front suspension pickups forward. The car scared me, it would handle ok then all of the sudden snap sideways, had two big crashes in the Lola and never knew why! It was easy to sell because Lolas always looked good, Lola knew that styling sold more cars in the US rather than race wins.

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Do you remember what is the original wheelbase on the Lola T202?

88 to 90 sounds about right

Quote:

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Originally Posted by provamo

88 to 90 sounds about right

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Thanks for the info

The fab'ed front upright looks very similar to my '81 Tiga, except the steering arm mount is different. What is a "live" stub axle?

the live axle "turns" on bearings within the upright as oppossed to the typical Triumph axle which is "fixed" to the upright with the hub "turning" upon it