Page 1 of 1 Specifically to race at Le Mans in 1975 with gentleman racer Alain de Cadenet, Lola had developed a new three-litre racer dubbed the T380. To make the most of the investment, the specialist manufacturer also created a virtually identical two-litre version, known as the T390.
Visually, the T390 was a clear departure from the successful T290 series it replaced. Gone was the angular design, which was replaced with an upright and round nose and a long tail. Underneath the new body, the T390 also boasted a revised rear suspension with raised spring mounts. Customers could run the car with a choice of four-cylinder engines from the likes of Ford, Hart and BMW.
Interest in the T390 was limited as the once popular European 2-Litre Sports Car Championship was now watered down to just two rounds due to the oil crisis. Five cars were built including a works car for Guy Edwards. He finished second at Silverstone, while privateer Rüdi Jauslin placed third at the Hockenheim round where Edwards could do no better than 9th.
After the 1975 season, the T390s continued to be raced with some success in the Interserie Championship. Lola reverted to the T290 series for their two-litre customer car, introducing the T296 evolution for 1976. Of the five T390s built, it is believed only two have survived. Page 1 of 1