1985 Lola

This Lola T900 is one of approximately 22 examples built in 1985 and one of several that were campaigned by Newman/Haas Racing for that year’s open-wheel season with driver Mario Andretti. Chassis H.U.06 was piloted to pole and victory by Andretti at the Dana Rex Mays Classic at the Milwaukee Mile in Wisconsin and victory at the Portland Grand Prix, both in June of that year. It was sold by Newman/Haas in Speedway configuration in 1986 and was purchased by the seller in 2001. The composite bodywork is finished in red and wears a #1 Beatrice Foods livery. The car retains a turbocharged, fuel-injected 2.6-liter Cosworth DFX V8 paired with a five-speed manual transaxle, and additional equipment includes MOMO cast magnesium-alloy center-lock wheels and a quick-release steering wheel. The car was last started in 2002, and its fuel cell has been replaced by a 10-gallon auxiliary fuel tank. The car has not been driven under current ownership, and a recommissioning will be required prior to use. This T900 project is now offered in Prescott, Arizona, with a removed fuel cell bladder, copies of Carl Haas Automobile Imports documentation, spare bodyside decals, a starter, and a bill of sale. The T900 monocoque features a honeycomb carbon-fiber/alloy lower section and Kevlar/composite upper, along with aluminum/composite honeycomb bulkheads. Examples were campaigned during the 1985 Indy Car season by drivers including Al Unser Jr., Derek Daly, Howdy Holmes, Jim Crawford, Arie Luyendyk, and Tony Bettenhausen, Jr. This example is finished in red with a Beatrice Foods livery sporting #1, signifying Andretti’s championship-winning season the previous year. Equipment includes Speedway aero equipment, a plexiglass windscreen, dual side-view mirrors, and a roll hoop. Areas of paint loss and paintwork can be seen in the gallery. The MOMO cast magnesium-alloy center-lock wheels are mounted with 24×10–15″ front and 27×14–15″ rear Goodyear Eagle Speedway Special slicks. The T900 rides on a 110″ wheelbase with a fully independent suspension featuring coaxial coilovers with rear outboard units, cast magnesium-alloy suspension uprights, “live” chrome steel hubs with low-friction bearings, a driver-controlled adjustable anti-roll bar, and rack-and-pinion steering. Stopping power is provided by AP Racing four-piston calipers over slotted and ventilated discs as well as front and rear master cylinders. The cockpit features a fixed-back seat trimmed in black vinyl upholstery and a red Sabelt five-point harness. The three-spoke MOMO steering wheel is mounted on a quick-release hub ahead of a 12,600-rpm tachometer and auxiliary gauges. Total mileage is unknown. USAC and CART decals can be seen up close in the gallery. The car retains a Cosworth DFX V8 with a magnesium bell housing engineered to locate the turbocharger in a lower position, allowing for a lower center of gravity. The car has not been started since 2002, and the seller notes that the engine requires a rebuild. Service will be required prior to use. The pop-off valve is non-functioning. A Hewland DGB five-speed manual transaxle is also retained. The fuel cell was removed under previous ownership, and a replacement 10-gallon auxiliary tank was fitted in its place. A removed fuel cell bladder is included in the sale. The chassis tag showing number H.U.06 is presented above. The Carl Haas Automobile Imports letter is dated March 11, 1986, and confirms H.U.06 was the car driven by Mario Andretti to victories at the Milwaukee Mile and Portland International Raceway.