When it comes to designing a racing car, the main focus is always on performance and functionality, never pure aesthetics. However, history has many examples of what that is somehow not true when you actually look at the creations, many of which actually please the eye – the Ford GT40 is only one of them.
Most of these cars were made in around about the year 1965, when curves and voluptuous flanks made their way from road cars into racers too. I mean, check out this 1969 Lola T80 Mk IIIb by Frank Sbarro – it’s gorgeous not only because of its purposeful low racing stance, but it has clean proportions and dozens of interesting details that catch the eye as you look over the photos.
Even the blue color of the example that’s going to auction next week proves to have been a successful choice, with the part-gold wheels and minimal white and yellow livery. RM Auctions expects it to fetch between €295,000 – €355,000, or $397,000 – $480,000.
It’s a prototype racer that you’ve most likely seen before if you’re into this kind of car. Originally intended to be badged as an Aston Martin, the idea was later dropped when the British-sourced V8 they were planning on using proved unreliable – they decided to offer it sans engine and left the choice up to the buyer, but most ended up putting V8s in them anyway; better, American V8s…
This one has a 450+hp V8 with four Webber carbs and a five-speed manual ZF gearbox. Check it out in detail below.
By Andrei Nedelea
PHOTO GALLERY
