F1 LOLA T97/30 MASTERCARD – FULL RUNNING CAR

The Lola T97/30 represents one of the most interesting and rare chapters in Formula 1 history. Built by the legendary British constructor Lola Cars, this car reflects the ambition of a manufacturer with decades of experience in Formula 1, IndyCar and Le Mans.

For the 1997 Formula 1 season, Lola entered the championship as a full works team under the name MasterCard Lola Formula One Team, supported by title sponsor Mastercard. Although the project had a short lifespan, the car remains a true and authentic example of late-1990s Formula 1 engineering.

PRODUCTION NUMBERS – EXCEPTIONALLY RARE
In total, only four Lola T97/30 chassis were produced:

One car is preserved in a museum collection (chassis nr. 3)
One F1 car (chassis nr. 4) remains with Lola Cars in the United Kingdom unit 2012 when it closed but its missing now
The remaining two cars are owned by GP Cars 4 Sale (chassis nr. 1 and 2)
This makes the Lola T97/30 one of the rarest Formula 1 cars available on the market today.

RACING HISTORY
The Lola T97/30 competed in the 1997 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season.

Drivers:
Vincenzo Sospiri
Ricardo Rosset

Event participation:
Australian Grand Prix – Melbourne – March 1997
Brazilian Grand Prix – Interlagos – April 1997 (entered)
Originally the programme was planned for 1998, but the debut was brought forward to 1997. As a result, the Lola T97/30 became part of one of the most unique and memorable Formula 1 projects of the 1990s.

RUNNING FORMULA 1 CAR – PREPARED FOR GENTLEMAN DRIVERS
The example offered by GP Cars 4 Sale is a running and driving Formula 1 car, making it suitable for demonstrations, track days and private collections.

The car is fitted with a Cosworth AC V8 engine, offering strong performance combined with improved usability.

Technical highlights:

Running Formula 1 car
Cosworth V8 AC type engine installed
Original Lola Formula 1 gearbox present
Gearbox converted to manual shift configuration
Easier to operate compared to original paddle shift system
Ideal for gentleman drivers and collectors
Suitable for track use, demonstrations or display
Authentic Formula 1 chassis from 1997 season
The manual gearbox configuration allows a wider group of drivers to experience a real Formula 1 car in a controlled and enjoyable way.

It is important to note that the Cosworth CV engine is not the original engine that was fitted to the Lola T97/30 in 1997. The Lola originally competed with the Ford ECA Zetec-R V8, a naturally aspirated 3.0-litre Formula 1 engine.

Specifications of the Cosworth CV V8:

Capacity: 2,993 cc
Configuration: 90° V8
Power output: approximately 480–520 bhp, depending on specification
Maximum engine speed: approximately 10,000–11,000 rpm
Weight: approximately 120 kg
Naturally aspirated, non-turbocharged
The Cosworth CV engine is frequently chosen for historic Formula 1 projects because it is more reliable, more cost-effective to maintain and easier to operate than many of the original Grand Prix engines from the 1990s.

For this 1997 Lola, it is therefore accurate to state:

The car is currently powered by a 3.0-litre Cosworth CV V8 engine, installed to provide a reliable and user-friendly driving experience while preserving the authentic Formula 1 character of the car.

DESIGNED BY ERIC BROADLEY
Lola was founded by renowned engineer Eric Broadley, whose company supplied race cars to top-level motorsport for decades.

Lola chassis competed worldwide in:

Formula 1
IndyCar
Le Mans 24 Hours
Formula 3000
Various international race series
Owning a Lola Formula 1 car means owning a piece of motorsport engineering history.

COLLECTIBLE, USABLE AND VISUALLY IMPRESSIVE
The Lola T97/30 offers collectors the opportunity to acquire a rare and original Formula 1 car with strong visual presence and a unique story.

Key characteristics:

Extremely limited production (4 cars built)
Genuine Formula 1 chassis
Recognisable 1990s Formula 1 design
Attractive collector’s piece
Suitable for display, events or driving
Rare opportunity to acquire a running Formula 1 car

Ron Reinders M: +31 6 6254 7903 | M: ron@gpcars4sale.com
Alex Reinders M: +31 6 3194 6829 | M: alex@gpcars4sale.com

Website: https://gpcars4sale.com/car/f1-lola-formula-1-t97-30-full-running-car/