Based on the potent Can-Am challenger, the T73 Mk3 Coupé could be seen as the GT40 replacement. That is because Eric Broadley was watching the first GT40 win at Le Mans in 1967 and he was involved with the car since its inception.
Like the GT40, the T73 Coupé used a
mid-mounted American V8 in a thoroughly European chassis. Unfortunately the
model was up against The Porsche 917 and Ferrari 512M which were in another
league.
Aerodynamicist Tony Southgate was
responsible for the new sleek body which was much more efficient than the GT40
and the T73 could reach a top speed of 200 mph on the Mulsanne straight at
Circuit De Sarth. This new Coupé body was made to follow Group 4 regulations
which required minimum production of 50 cars and Lola nearly had produced
enough Mk1 and Mk2 cars to homologate the Chevrolet-powered version.
Several were used during the filming of the
classic racing film, Le Mans, including one of the camera cars and also take
part in the film as they used actual race footage.
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Dimensions
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Length
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196” (4,978mm)
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Height
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37.4” (950mm)
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Width
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72” (1,830mm)
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Wheelbase
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95” (2,410mm)
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Front Track
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54” (1,372mm)
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Rear Track
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54” (1,372mm)
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Chassis
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Aluminum monocoque in L163, L72 and NS4 aircraft spec materials
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Monel solid rivets throughout, minimal use of blind/pop rivets
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Steel fabricated pick-up points for suspension and structural members
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| One piece roll-over bar intergrated into chassis structure |
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Fully epoxy-bonded throughout |
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Bodywork
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Made from original moulds
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One-piece nose and tail sections
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Headlight, tail-lights and covers included
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| Ancillaries - rear view mirrors, nose deflectors, adjustable rear gurneys and front nose dive planes |
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Suspension
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Unequal length upper and lower wishbones
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Cast magnesium alloy uprights
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Coil-over adjustable Koni dampers
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Fully adjustable
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Adjustable anti-roll bar |
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Brakes
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| 12” ventilated discs with Girling four piston hydraulic callipers
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Brake cooling ducts fitted |
Twin Girling master cylinders with cockpit adjustable brake balance
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Instrumentation and Electrical |
| Stack tachometer/data display |
| Smith gauges and waterproof aircraft spec switches |
| Oil press; oil temp; water temp; fuel pressure displayed |
| Rear gearbox driven alternator |
| Complete fused circuits |
| 12v ignition system with high output coil |
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Wheels and Tyres
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15” Dia x 10.5” wide front magnesium alloy
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15” Dia x 12” wide rear magnesium alloy
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| Dunlop treaded tyres
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Engine/Transmission Installation
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Four into one stainless steel with collector and tailpipe
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V8 Chevrolet and Aston Martin engines
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Setrab oil coolers and aluminum water radiator |
| Aeroquip hoses and fittings |
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Hewland LG600 gearbox, magnesium alloy, five speed and reverse |
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Sliding universal joints
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Gearbox cooler
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