Watch us turn this pile of parts into a rare vintage racer

Colin
By Colin Wood
Sep 22, 2022 | Elva, Restoration, Project car, Vintage Race Car, Elva Mk VI

Although some might see a dilapidated pile of old car bones (okay, that’s probably what most rational people would see), we saw the potential to restore and campaign an uncommon old-school sports racer, an Elva Mk VI, for our sister publication, Classic Motorsports.

And not just any old Elva–as we soon found out–but one of the long-lost, factory-backed cars entered in the 1962 Sebring 12-Hour race.

The most recent work on the Elva? Fitting a custom flywheel, a high-performance clutch and even a modern starter to the car’s Coventry Climax FWA engine.

Catch up on all the progress we’ve made so far by visiting the 1962 Elva Mk VI project car page now.

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Comments
David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
9/22/22 10:44 a.m.

Yes, please check it out. It's all the challenges of rebuilding an old race car along with the extra difficulty of wanting to keep it as original as possible. 

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
9/22/22 10:48 a.m.

And here's some of the work Tim's been doing on the Elva (which also serves as a great guide on repairing fiberglass). Check the project car page for more.

 

nocones
nocones GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
9/22/22 11:01 a.m.

The internet says this is a 882lb car with 90Hp.  Owning a few 10:1 Lb/HP cars that weigh almost 2x what this Elva weighs I know this is going to be a fun thing to drive when done.   When it's running and driving you should run it at the Challenge just for fun.  I would love to see how a true Vintage racecar does.  

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
9/22/22 11:06 a.m.

In reply to nocones :

And it very round numbers, a stock NA Miata makes like 100 horsepower and weighs 2000 pounds, right? 

So, yeah, the Elva will not be slow. 

$2023 Challenge appearance? 

AMiataCalledSteve
AMiataCalledSteve Reader
9/22/22 11:11 a.m.

That first image looks exactly like it could be a barn find in the Forza Horizon series lol. It's awesome that stuff like that actually exists (and that people are actually capable of fixing them).

Snowdoggie (Forum Supporter)
Snowdoggie (Forum Supporter) SuperDork
9/22/22 11:37 a.m.

I actually saw one of these at Sears Point. Back when they called that track Sears Point.

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
9/22/22 1:03 p.m.

In reply to AMiataCalledSteve :

I was thinking the same thing when I put that lead photo together. It'd make for a fun car to drive in-game.

CrustyRedXpress
CrustyRedXpress GRM+ Memberand Dork
9/22/22 1:48 p.m.
David S. Wallens said:

$2023 Challenge appearance? 

Yes pls. The more priceless collectables competing against $2000 crap cans the better.

APEowner
APEowner GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
9/22/22 3:00 p.m.

I'm looking forward to this one.  I love vintage race cars.  Particularly ones with history.

Tom1200
Tom1200 UberDork
9/22/22 3:27 p.m.

I'm seldom jealous of project cars on GRM or CM but this is one of those times you can color me green.

I've had a few Elva sports racers in my run group, I have even manged to finish ahead of some of them, but I've always known that if I had one I could get an overall win.

Cars without the significant history this one has are not particularly expensive ( around 60K). 

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