LOLA T70 ASTON MARTIN. At the end of 1966 Aston Martin an-nounced a completely new V8 engine de-sign

The engine was an alloy block five litre unit with a bore and stroke of 98 x 84mm alloy cylinder heads with hemi-spherical com-bustion chambers and double overhead camshafts per bank. A nitrided steel crank-shaft was mounted on five main bearings while ignition on the dry sump unit was by Lucas and initially it ran on four Weber carburettors. The chassis was a light alloy sheet monocoque with integral fuel tanks and carried double wishbone suspension with coil spring/damper units feeding load-ings into steel reinforced sections. A five speed Newland LG600 gearbox transmit-ted the British V8 power through 10 x 15 inch rear wheels, 8 x 15 inch rims being fitted at the front. Girling 12.5 inch venti-lated disc brakes were mounted outboard, proud of the wheels to aid cooling.

For the Le Mans test weekend in April 1967 one T70 appeared and recorded an encouraging third fastest time after aerody-namic changes.

On its racing debut at the Nurburgring the Lola-Aston Martin sported Lucas fuel injec-tion and qualified second only to retire after a suspension breakage. A second chassis was prepared for Le Mans and was used by Surtees and Hobbs, the original being passed on to Irwin and De Klerk. With knowledge gained at the test weekend the newer car was fitted with a more stream-lined tail section with adjustable spoiler across the rear. Surtees started thirteenth in the echelon, Irwin twenty fifth. The race was a disaster. Surtees lasted a mere three laps before a piston was holed while Irwin retired after less than an hour with a cracked damper on his Aston Martin en-gine's crankshaft.

Chevrolet power was used in subsequent races, Aston Martin withdrawing from racing. LOLA

T70 - 1967 Alloy monocoque Suspension: wishbone front wishbone rear Engine semi-stressed Howland gearbox Flat bottom ASTON MARTIN 90 degree V8 5.0 litres Alloy block Fuel injected 16 valves d.o.h.c. Unblown 460b.h.p.