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DreamsOfA26R's 1966 Lotus Elan SCCA C/P race car restoration ("Gromit")

DreamsOfA26R · 1966 Lotus Elan

Lotus elan

Restoring a Racer

Read the full write-up at Restoring a Racer ↗

Photo: Restoring a Racer

Reviving a 1966 Lotus Elan ex-SCCA C/P race car, "Gromit"

A forum member documents buying a bare, non-rolling 1966 Lotus Elan shell once raced as an SCCA C/P car by Tom Walko, and working to make it drivable again before a planned full restoration to its mid-1970s race configuration. The thread covers sourcing roller wheels, rebuilding a gearbox, wrestling with a troublesome dry-sump racing twin cam, and ultimately fitting a spare wet-sump Big Valve engine to get the car running and briefly drivable.

Specs

As stated in the original write-up.

Engine
Stromberg-equipped Big Valve Lotus-Ford Twin Cam, wet-sump, fitted to get the car running (originally a dry-sump racing twin cam from a Europa, set aside for separate rebuild)
Gearbox
Lotus Elan gearbox, fully disassembled and rebuilt by the owner
Carburettors
Twin Stromberg carburettors, rebuilt; owner considering SU HD6 alternative
Ignition
Points and condenser type ignition with new points, condenser, low tension lead and coil
Wheels
Temporary used roller wheels, with Europa tyres reused and an OMP Lotus-to-Momo steering wheel adapter fitted
Cooling
Series 3 radiator fitted into the Series 2 body

Parts used

Parts named as used in the original write-up, grouped the way the Parts page groups them. Where one of the shops we index lists the same thing for this car, it is shown underneath with a link to the shop.

Engine 2

Fuel & Ignition 1

Cooling 1

Gearbox & Drivetrain 1

Wheels & Tyres 1

  • Roller wheels

    Gifted used wheels fitted with old Europa tyres to make the shell movable as a roller

Body & Trim 1

Interior 1

Electrical 1

Photos

28 pictures collected from the write-up, in the order they were posted, shown from Restoring a Racer. A picture opens larger here, with the way through to the page it is on.

Restoring a Racer 24this post at Restoring a Racer ↗

The Elan shell as purchased, early in the projectPhoto: Restoring a Racer
The non-rolling race car shellPhoto: Restoring a Racer
Another view of the bare Elan chassis and bodyPhoto: Restoring a Racer
Photo: Restoring a Racer
Acquired twin cam engine and gearbox partsPhoto: Restoring a Racer
Dry-sump engine componentsPhoto: Restoring a Racer
Engine and gearbox acquisitionPhoto: Restoring a Racer
Roller wheels fitted to the shellPhoto: Restoring a Racer
Car as a rolling shellPhoto: Restoring a Racer
Car with roller wheels fittedPhoto: Restoring a Racer
Photo: Restoring a Racer
Photo: Restoring a Racer
Photo: Restoring a Racer
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Photo: Restoring a Racer
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Restoring a Racer 4this post at Restoring a Racer ↗

Exhaust side mount to frame nut platePhoto: Restoring a Racer
Nut platePhoto: Restoring a Racer
Exhaust side mount to frame nut platePhoto: Restoring a Racer
Nut platePhoto: Restoring a Racer

How it was done

Starting condition

The owner bought Tom Walko's former SCCA C/P 1966 Elan race car as a bare, non-rolling shell, missing the engine, transmission, front brakes, driveshaft, diff, axles, wheels and tail lights. The plan was to eventually return it to its mid-1970s race specification.

Considering a rotary swap

Short on funds for period-correct parts, the owner floated fitting a spare Mazda 12A rotary and five-speed from his RX7 race car to get the Elan running quickly, discussing packaging and shifter location with other members, but ultimately did not pursue this and instead sourced Lotus running gear.

Acquiring drivetrain parts

He acquired a Stromberg Big Valve dry-sump twin cam engine and a disassembled gearbox from an autocross Europa, plus a spare fibreglass front clip. The engine failed a leak-down test on cylinder one, suspected to be valve or ring related, and the gearbox needed full reassembly.

Getting it rolling

Gifted roller wheels and reused Europa tyres let the car move under its own weight for the first time, aided by an OMP Lotus-to-Momo wheel adapter. The owner began rebuilding the gearbox using a borrowed service manual.

Engine swap and first running

After the dry-sump twin cam proved troublesome, a friend gave him a complete wet-sump Stromberg Big Valve engine, which he installed over a holiday weekend. After chasing a no-spark fault, the engine started and ran, though one carburettor was not feeding fuel and accessories still needed fitting.

Progress so far

Weeks of tinkering allowed short test drives, with the rebuilt Strombergs working well and cooling proving effective despite running without the bonnet. The main unresolved issue is a clutch that engages immediately at the top of pedal travel, with hydraulics and adjustments checked but the cause still undetermined.

A summary in our own words. The full account, with all its detail, is in the original write-up: read it at Restoring a Racer ↗

Worth knowing

  • Dry-sump plumbing on a tight engine bay can block access to lower mounting bolts, so planning hose routing before final fitment helps
  • A nut plate slid behind the chassis bracket, rather than welded, makes engine mount bolts far easier to tighten
  • Marvel Mystery Oil down the bores can help free stuck piston rings on a long-stored engine
  • Checking spark directly at the coil and plug helps isolate a no-spark fault before replacing more ignition parts

Restoring a Racer

Read in full, all 2 pages, on 21 October 2026. The original write-up and photographs remain with their creators. This page is a catalogue in our own words, and a signpost to the source.

Read the full write-up at Restoring a Racer ↗

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DreamsOfA26R's 1966 Lotus Elan SCCA C/P race car restoration ("Gromit") | Restomod Life