1987 Lola T87/00 Indianapolis 500 Race Car

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

Huntsville, Alabama — or “Rocket City,” as we know it — is home to NASA rocket-propulsion research and development. This special offering is once again a presentation of the unique, with American Muscle, British class, heavy post war iron, and race cars from multiple platforms all on offer. These cars are ready for blastoff, and all will be launched to new homes and garages as all lots are presented with NO RESERVE.   

* * *    The CART PPG Indy Car World Series was dominated by March and Penske cars throughout the 1980s, until the T87/00 debuted for the 1987 season, built by venerable constructor Lola Cars of Huntingdon, England. It was a significant update from Lola’s previous designs, their first to utilize CAD/CAM systems and a new wind tunnel nearby. The T87/00 could be powered by the new Ilmor-Chevrolet engine or the tried-and-true Cosworth-Ford DFX, both turbocharged 2.65-liter V8s. The T87/00 won a total of five races and took nine pole positions that season, and Bobby Rahal and his Truesports team was 1987 PPG Indy Car World Series champion with his Lola. 

Lola built a total of 13 T87/00 chassis in 1987, including this car, HU07, delivered to the Raynor Garage Doors team. Raynor’s participation in the 1987 Indianapolis 500 was cut short when driver Dennis Firestone crashed during practice, resulting in career-ending injuries, and the team withdrew from the event. Other Lola T87/00 drivers fared better, with Mario Andretti capturing pole position in his Chevy-powered car and 52-year-old A.J. Foyt qualifying fourth in his Ford-powered Lola. Foyt then crashed on the final day of practice before the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, and his T87/00 HU04 chassis was hastily repaired for the race. He finished 19th with an oil leak. 

It appears the body from A.J. Foyt’s HU04 Indianapolis 500 racer was installed on Raynor’s HU07 chassis after both cars were retired from competition following the 1987 season, possibly to be used as a show car for Foyt’s major sponsor, Copenhagen Smokeless Tobacco. This body is in Lola’s /01 configuration for high-speed ovals, with “low-line” side pods and engine cover, different profile underbody, and small low-drag front and rear wings. 

A close look at the official Indy 500 portrait photo of A.J. Foyt shows the sponsor and inspection decals in exactly the same position as this car. Also note the inspection stickers on the cockpit cowl are from the Indianapolis 500 and the United States Auto Club (USAC) only. At that time, all open-wheel racing in America was sanctioned by Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART), except the Indianapolis 500, which retained its traditional USAC sanction. Interestingly, when Foyt raced in the 500 that year, his repaired racer had the 500 and USAC stickers in a completely different location, possibly from using spare body panels. 

Lola T87/00 HU07 is presented with the Foyt body in as raced condition. The Cosworth-Ford DFX engine has been removed, as has the correct steering wheel and electronics. 

Highlights 

• Offered from The Rocket City Collection 

• Chassis HU07 delivered to the Raynor Garage Doors team in 1987 

• Body panels and wings believed from A.J. Foyt’s Lola T87/00 HU04 

• Originally powered by a 2.65-liter Cosworth-Ford DFX turbocharged V8 

• Lola transaxle with Hewland DGB case 

• Currently in Lola’s /01 superspeedway configuration 

• Correct Dymag cast magnesium wheels 

Features 

• Purchase information from the Lola Cars archive: 

  • Chassis No: HU8700-07 

  • Date: 30 April 1987 (Whether this is invoiced or delivery date is unknown) 

  • Gearbox No: DGBL 097 

  • Invoice No: HU20347 

  • Destination: USA 

  • Agent/Purchaser: Haas/ Raynor (All Lola chassis of this period include Carl Haas on the ledger as Lola's official North American importer) 

• The 13 T87/00 chassis were sold to: 

  • HU8700-01 – Newman Haas 

  • HU8700-02 – Truesports/Haas 

  • HU8700-03 – Raynor/Haas 

  • HU8700-04 – AJ Foyt/Haas 

  • HU8700-05 – Dick Simon/Haas 

  • HU8700-06 – Truesports/Haas 

  • HU8700-07 – Raynor/Haas 

  • HU8700-08 – Newman Haas 

  • HU8700-09 – Newman Haas 

  • HU8700-10 – Dick Simon/Haas 

  • HU8700-11 – Haas 

  • HU8700-12 – Haas 

  • HU8700-13 – Truesports/Haas 

Known Imperfections 

• Body is in as-raced condition 

• No engine or engine electronics 

• Incorrect steering wheel  

Ownership History 

This 1987 Lola T87/00 Indianapolis 500 Race Car, one of many collector cars that make up the ever-evolving Rocket City Collection, is offered from an established Alabama car enthusiast who enjoys the pursuit and trade of great cars in equal measure to the curation of the same.  

Additional Notes 

Sold on Bill of Sale only  

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.  

Contact: Ramsey Potts   Phone: 912.508.4096   email: rpotts@hagerty.com