A 1980 Lola T540 Formula Ford 1600 project car is drawing attention as it approaches auction, offered without reserve by Broad Arrow Auctions. Currently located in Savannah, Georgia, the open-wheel racer comes from the Shortt Collection and represents an important piece of grassroots motorsport history.
The Lola T540, introduced in 1978, marked a major step forward for Formula Ford competition cars. Designed as an improvement over the earlier T440, the T540 featured a front-mounted radiator and revised outboard front suspension components. These updates enhanced cooling and sharpened the handling balance, helping the car become a favorite among privateers and aspiring racers.
Between 1978 and 1981, the T540 established itself as a front-runner in the Formula Ford 1600 series. Eighty-two examples were sold in the United States, along with twenty-three European-spec T540E models that found homes across several countries. The design quickly proved its capability, with notable championship wins including the 1978 BRDC Esso Formula Ford 1600 title. Many talented drivers, such as Julian Bailey and Mark Peters, honed their skills behind the wheel of this model, adding to its competition legacy.
The car offered here is a non-running project fitted with a 1000cc Kawasaki inline-four engine. It retains its tubular steel space frame construction with aluminum panels and Formula Ford-style suspension, including double wishbones and coil-over dampers in the front, and a twin-radius-rod setup with an anti-roll bar in the rear. Disc brakes are fitted on all four wheels, and the total weight is listed at about 925 pounds without a driver.
Sold on a Bill of Sale, the project includes spare wheels and assorted parts. While not currently running, the Lola T540 remains an ideal candidate for restoration or vintage racing preparation—a rare chance to revive a piece of open-wheel history. See it here.
