Elisha Walker was born on 5 March 1911 and died on 15 March 1979. Elisha was a keen Aston Martin supporter, particularly through his race team. His first foray into Astons was a DB2/4 purchased in 1956. He was an AMOC Member and the second Chairman of AMOC East.
Elisha was a friend of George Constantine, a racing driver from Southbridge Massachusetts known as ‘The Flying Greek’. George’s day job was as a civil defence director for 14 towns in Massachusetts. Elisha was a Syosset, Long Island, New York businessman who had oil and gas interests in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. Clearly Elisha had the means to indulge his passion for motor sport; while his friend George, having raced a D Type Jaguar, did not have the money to continue his passion for racing cars. To support his friend, Elisha ordered the forthcoming Aston Martin DB Mk III with some racing modifications. The car was ordered specifically for George to compete in and initially road registered SYX 967 in Britain, perhaps for extensive testing prior to delivery or for tax reasons on US car imports.
This particular car was the 17th Mk III built, chassis number AM300/3A/1317, and was supplied to Elisha via JS Inskip of New York on 16 May 1957. The factory modifications included three 35 DCO Weber carburettors that were quickly upgraded to 40 DCO Webers. A bonnet scoop was incorporated to aid better airflow to the Webers. A close ratio needle roller bearing gearbox was installed along with a 4.27:1 axle ratio. Further mods included an oil cooler, DB3S steering wheel, alloy front callipers for the discs (the Mk III had front discs, whereas the preceding DB2/4 had drums all round), Alfin alloy rear drum brakes, and twin exhausts.
As the car was to be run in SCCA class C events in the US, Elisha was able to engage the services of Rex Woodgate in the UK, one of Aston Martin’s most experienced mechanics. In the US he engaged Charles McAdams as his team mechanic. In 1957 a total of 14 races were entered, with George and the car finishing second in Class C. It also won The Avon International Trophy.
The car ran as originally built and modified by Aston Martin, however it did have to swap to D Type wheels due to wire wheel failure during the course of the season. DB2/4 and Mk III owners should take note - it is best to run the cars on 72-spoke wires rather than the standard specifications 56-spoke wheels fitted to many cars. The offset is very slightly different but beneficial and the car handles far better on 72-spoke wheels which are also less liable to break.
Following the end of the 1957 season the car was returned to the factory for further modifications. Lightweight Perspex windows were fitted along with quick-lift jacking points and a 40-gallon fuel tank for longer events. The wheel problem was solved by the fitting of lightweight Borrani wire wheels. Borranis have alloy wheel rims which aid the unsprung weight. With regards to the engine, it was rebuilt with DB3S pistons and con rods and higher lift DB3S cam shafts. Lastly, a number light was installed on the passenger door so the car could be entered for The Sebring 12-Hour Race. The DB Mk III was entered in the 1958 Sebring event with George Constantine driving again, aided by John Dalton as co-driver. The car was entered as part of a team of Astons, the other cars being factory DBR1s. Sadly no Aston finished the race that year. The Mk III then took a back seat as Elisha had agreed to run a factory DBR2 in SCCA events with George driving.
At the end of the year the Mk III along with the DBR2 was sent to the Nassau speed week in the Bahamas where George was first in class in the Mk III and second overall in the TT. The Mk III was sold to David Schiff who competed in the car at the 1959 Sebring event, but again the car retired. It then passed through a number of hands until it was purchased by Dick Gross and passed to his son Jon Gross, who competed with the car in Britain and entered it in over 200 competitive events.
Following George’s success in the Mk III, Elisha ran a DBR2 for George which was again maintained very ably by Rex Woodgate. This car was DBR2/1 which had an engine upgrade to 3.9 litres in 1958 after competing at Le Mans in 1957. In 1958 it competed in many European events with the likes of Stirling Moss, Tony Brooks and Carol Shelby driving on occasions.
The factory loaned DBR2/1 to Elisha for George to race in the 1959 season, competing in both USAC and SCCA events. George won with the car at Lime Rock, Montgomery, and Thompson, resulting in George sharing USAC championship. At the end of the season George won the Nassau Trophy.
Aston Martin have much to thank both Elisha and George for. As an entrant Elisha Walker enabled George Constantine to win many events and established Aston Martin as a marque to be reckoned with in the USA.
For help with this article my thanks go to Elaine W Fiske (Elisha’s daughter) and Nick Candee, the USA AMOC historian. The Elisha Walker Trophy was provided by Elisha himself and is awarded for outstanding service by a USA member. .