Lola Cars has launched a specially designed 50th Anniversary poster at the Race Retro Show at Stoneleigh. The unique double sided A1 glossy poster depicts one Lola car from each of the fifty years, ranging from the first Lola sportcar built – the Mk1, through to the very latest LMP Coupe that will race for the first time in April of this year. The distinguished list of cars featured in the poster illustrates the true diversity of the company’s designs throughout the last half century. From drawing boards to CAD stations, some of the UK’s most talented racecar designers have contributed to Lola’s 50 golden years in motorsport. Leading these talents from 1958 to 1997 was Eric Broadley, the founder of Lola Cars. During Broadley’s time at Lola his pupils included a long list of distinguished car designers such as Tony Southgate, Patrick Head, John Barnard and Ralph Bellamy.

Engineers, drivers and crowd favourites are all featured in this special edition poster such as the T70, Mk6 and Lola built Nissan Group C sportscar. The one-off anniversary poster also includes ‘cult classics’ such as the fearsome T530 Can-Am car and the T292 2-litre sportscar which took Chris Craft to the European Sportscar title in 1973, driving for the Martin Birrane owned and Keith Greene managed Crowne Racing team.

Now at the helm of modern day Lola, Martin Birrane has over the last decade made significant investment into the technical capabilities at Lola’s state-of-the-art facility in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. Lola’s investment in composite, aerodynamic and design technology has resulted in a successful lineage of Le Mans sportscar over the past decade.

Starting with the B98/10 in 1998, via the groundbreaking B01/60 Lola-MG LMP675 design in 2001 to the present day elegant LMP Coupe designs, Birrane’s vision has ensured that Lola’s reputation for engineering excellence continues well in to the 21st century, with all these models featuring in the poster design.

21st century Lola Group is, however, much more than just motorsport. Showcasing Lola’s versatility and range of industries serviced, the reverse side of the poster reflects Lola’s expertise and involvement in the Aerospace, Defence, Automotive, Marine and Communications industries, which are celebrated with UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and UUV (Unmanned Underwater Vehicles) images.

Race fans will be able to get free copies of the official 50th anniversary poster at the recently announced official celebrations of Lola’s Golden Anniversary at both the Brands Hatch World Sportscar Masters race on 25th May and the Oulton Park Gold Cup on August Bank Holiday weekend. Lola will also soon be announcing details of further events that will be taking place throughout the racing year which will be supporting its 50th Anniversary celebrations.

All pictures Lola Heritage.

Lola's Sam Smith and Chris Craft discuss the 50th Anniversary poster at Stoneleigh.



Chris signs the poster that features his European Championship winning T292



1958 Lola Mk1.



1969 Lola T70 MkIIIB.



1980 Lola T530.



2008 B08/80.