1977 – Lola T492

Unregistered competition car 

An easy and highly effective tray, typical of the seventies.

The Lola T492 originates from the famous T490, which already dominated the UK Sports 2000 Championship in the late 1970s. It was designed to extend the British manufacturer’s dominance in Europe as well as in the United States.

High-performing yet manageable for a skilled amateur, the formula was adopted by other countries, and the Huntingdon manufacturer produced 91 Lola T492s over two years: 46 for the United States, 30 for the United Kingdom, 11 for the Netherlands, 7 for Sweden, and one each for France, Switzerland, and Denmark.

Slightly different from its predecessor, the T492 retained the reliability and balance of the T490 but featured twin side-mounted radiators, improving cooling and on-track performance. Lightweight and agile, it benefits from a rigid chassis, optimized suspension, and efficient aerodynamics without any additional aero appendages.

This is chassis HU 81, equipped with the 2.0-litre Ford Pinto engine producing 150 hp, coupled to a Hewland gearbox. Its simple yet effective mechanics make it accessible for historic racing while offering immediate driving pleasure and reasonable running costs.

Eligible for numerous championships, T492s are regularly seen at events such as Silverstone Classic, the 6 Hours of Spa, Espiritu Montjuïc and Jarama, Brands Sports 2000, or in the French circuit championship, among many others.