Elva Mk 1 & 2

[ElvaMKII]

I've been accumulating various Elva history bits and pieces, some related to forum notes and questions and some unrelated. Anyway, here goes:

FRANK CAMPBELL. I think he owned my Elva MK II in 1958-59. A photo of him with his car appeared in a Road America Yearbook and I have a similar hole in my car's cowling that matches up to the one in the photo. The hole was for a fuel filler. I actuall have two holes (both had been covered over and painted) so at one time I suspect the car ran with a single windscreen but when a full windscreen was added the fuel filler had to be moved further towards the side of the cowling.

RALPH TREICHSMANN. Ralph raced a MK II that he got from OWEN COON. Both raced the car at Road America and elsewhere in 1958-60. I met CHuck Rahn at this year's Monterey Historics and he said he bought the MK II from Ralph and painted the car yellow, then sold it to Woodnorth Motors in Chicago.


TOM GREATOREX. This man bought a MK III (Chassis 100/54) from Continental Motors in 1958 and raced it a few times. A photo appears on the Watkins Glen pages of Barcoy's. He sold the car in 1958 to Ralph A. Hoyt. Both were from Columbus, OH. The car now sits in San Diego.

ELVA RACE RESULTS. I've got a database of MK I, II and III Elva sports racers from 1956 to 1968. Not complete but it is a start. Stan Mason began it. I can send it to interested Elva owners if you ask: bobengberg@aim.com

[ElvaMKII]

Here are some photos of Frank Campbell, of Hinsdale, IL, racing his Elva MK II (MK IIb or III?) I think I have this car. He may not have been the first owner as my car appears to have been a MK IIa that was made into a MK IIb with mods to hood. Photos show the car at Road America and elsewhere in 1958-59. bobengberg@aim.com

[ElvaMKII]

Since posting the above and continying my investigations of the the photos of Frank Campbell racing his Elva MK II at Road America a bit more closely, I've concluded that I do indeed have his car. One photo shows a left side fuel filler on the cowling and Stan asked if I had a hole in my cowling similar to where Campbell's filler was located. I found two holes actually, one about 1 foot left of centerline on the back if the cowling. But I also discovered another hole covered with aluminum and body putty and paint in the exact location where Campbell's filler was. (Photo below) Owen Coon told me last month that the Campbell car was a dark metallic blue... the third color of my car. (The original color was BRG and a coat of red is over that. Blue was its third color.) BTW, Owen identified the car show above (#87) as his car after he ran into a slower car and before he sold it to Ralph Tresichmann. I'm pretty certain Campbell was the owner pf my Elva, and that it originally had a long tail (like a MK IIb) and since he raced it with Chuck Detriech at one point I would guess that he bought the car from Chuck. Anyone with info about Campbell please share with me. [bobengberg@aim.com]

[ElvaMKII]

Anyone interested in purchasing the Greatorex "Elva MK III" chassis 100/54 (unrestored) please contact me. bobengberg@aim.com

[PeterMorley]

I've just heard from Sam Blanton who owns the Elva Mark 1B that is on Stan's list as 100-B-31, with the different nose.
According to Sam the brass plate rivetted on the bulkhead gives id no. 1330

He has the list of owners going back to 1966, as follows:

1966-67 David Hall
1968 Roggies Garage
9/29/1969 Ronald Mongillo
7/24/1974 Tony Clarkson
? ? Michael C. Graham
11/15/1977 Nick Soprano
5/26/1978 Howarth C Gilmore
8/20/1978 Chet Faleski
2/11/1979 Dave Berger, Concours Ltd
1999/2000 Bill Harding
2005 Sam Blanton

[marcomx5]

Hello,
I'm a new owner of an 1956 Elva MK1b chassis n 0010 with Coventry Climax engine and fiberglass body, red color.
I bought it in USA, here is the link on the Elva site http://www.elva.com/forsale/elva-1956-1b.php
The few information I have are from a vehicle log book of Car Club of America Vintage Sport that covers from 1992 to 2007, in this period the car run in USA with Patrica Eastman as driver.
I also know that in 1994 the Coventry Climax engine was rebuilded by Hutton Motor Engineering in Clanksville, Tennesse.
Now i'm going to find some information about the car, because i need to discover its story.
Any further information will be very appreciated about this car!

All the best
Tonino

[ElvaMKII]

Year 2010 will be the 55th anniversary of Elva. Check the Elva website from time to time to see what might be planned to celebrate.

[ElvaMKII]

Art Evans sent me some photos of a MK I he raced in the 1970's, He says that Tannahuser recognized the car as the one he had imported in 1956. Rog Dunbar knows this car. It was a concours winner at Brands Hatch, had leather uphostery. The front of the car shows it might have had headlights at some time. Evans added a full width windscreen.

[img=http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/3941/evansmki.th.jpg]

[ElvaMKII]

Plans are getting underway for a 55th Elva Anniversary at Elkhart Lake, in September, 2010. Watch for news at www.elva.com/

[ElvaMKII]

Elva 55th Reunion planned for Elkhart Lake this September, 2010. Looking for Elva drivers in California who might want to share R/T transport. bobengberg@aim.com

[PeterMorley]

The only Elva Mark 1 with Microplas Toledo body is up for auction at DVCA in December.
According to Janos Wimpffen this was probably the 3rd chassis made (e.g. Mk. 1.100/3).
Road registered 233EBK, there are some original photos around of the body being fitted to the chassis.
The good news is that it still has the unique original body, but the bad is that it has the wrong engine, gearbox, axle and wheels.

I've also heard that the Ford engined Mark 1B, 1.100/32, (reg. 796DRB) that was raced extensively by Pat Fergusson and Don Hill is also for sale - having been part restored after keeping a low profile for many years.

[D-Type]

Originally Posted by D-Type

There was an early unpainted alloy bodied Elva in Kenya in the fifties and early sixties. It was owned and raced at the Nakuru circuit by Eldoret garage proprietor Colin McNaughton. Initially it had an 1172cc Ford engine which was later replaced by a Climax. I have a feeling that the Climax was 1475cc rather than 1100cc but cannot remember afdter 50 years.

On reflection, I may be wrong about the Ford engine being replaced by a Climax

[Rupertlt1]

Some info about early Elva in Canada:

Bud Mackley (member of L.A.C.) Ecurie Erable
Elva Mk1-M.G. 1,250 c.c. Falcon bodywork
#90 Harewood Acres 16.6.1956
"FIRST APPEARANCE in Canadian competition of the Elva was made by
Ecurie Erable's entry with this neat bodywork."

#108 Harewood Acres 4.8.1956
Race 2:
1. #78 Bill Wuesthoff (USA), Alfa-Romeo Spyder, 1,290 cc
2. #102 C. Henry, M.G. TC
3. #108 Bud Mackley, Elva-MG, 1,250 cc, Ecurie Erable
4. #16 R. Price, M.G. TF

#14 Harewood Acres 29.9.1956

* Bob Rusznyak, Elva Mk. 1

Competition Press, June 13, 1959, Page 7
ELVA, Coventry-Climax 1100cc
Stage 2. Car in good condition.
Raced very little. Large brakes
fitted. Complete with trailer.
$2,350
Jim Fergusson, 2301 Queen St. E.
Toronto, Canada

Canada Track & Traffic April 1961
Mk. 1 ELVA CLIMAX 1100 cc. - Only one
race since the top end overhauled, new valves and
springs installed. Usually finishes in first three
in class. $2,450, call WO. 8-5059 after 6. Ray
Rockall, 148 St. Paul St. Belleville
[Ontario. Falcon bodywork]

[Rupertlt1]

Originally Posted by Rupertlt1

Some info about early Elva in Canada:

#108 Harewood Acres 4.8.1956
Race 2:
1. #78 Bill Wuesthoff (USA), Alfa-Romeo Spyder, 1,290 cc
2. #102 C. Henry, M.G. TC
3. #108 Bud Mackley, Elva-MG, 1,250 cc, Ecurie Erable
4. #16 R. Price, M.G. TF

Bud Mackley drives car number 108, Elva Mk I with MG 1250 cc engine.

https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/cg279ys0145

There are further pics in this archive - search using "Harewood"

[Rupertlt1]

Bud Mackley was from Montreal and was still racing the Elva-M.G. in 1957, finishing 2nd in a race at St Eugene:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?ni...pg=4391,107749

RGDS RLT

[Rupertlt1]

Competition Press, Vol 11-No.4 August 31, 1963:
ELVA MARK I. Coventry Climax Stage II+ En-
gine, Non-standard body, engine-transmission
and chassis available separately or complete.
Some spares. Good first racer. Must sell.
Reasonably priced or best offer. James R.
Mandelik, 747 Cheriton Dr., Cleveland 24,
Ohio.

[Rupertlt1]

Canada Track & Traffic, April 1962, Page 62:
MK 1 ELVA CLIMAX 1100 c.c. - Has not
been raced since complete overhaul, new
chassis and suspension, new paint, British
racing green. $1,500 or nearest offer, also
1954 Dodge Station Wagon. Could be used
as tow car $200. Can finance. Call Ray
Rockall, WO 8-9912, 148 St. Paul Street,
Belleville, Ontario.

[Rupertlt1]

Goodwood 17 March 1956.
Dizzy Addicott drives car number 11, an Elva Climax Mark I, registration number 8 HMV:

https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/ff772ww2612

RGDS RLT

[Rupertlt1]

Sports Car Newsletter, No. 32, S.C.C.A., Sept 30, 1957:
ELVA: 1957 1100 cc Climax Stage II Engine
reworked to 10.5 compression ratio. Engine
balanced, SW dashboard. English and Road
America Concours winner. Raced once. Many
spares, trailer. Best offer over $3500. Wm. G.
Tannhauser Co., 714 W. Wisconsin Ave.,
Milwaukee 3, Wisc. Phone: BRoadway 6-7555.

[John Turner]

Rupert, this is good solid archive research, many thanks.

We really need to link this to:-

http://www.elva.com/ which has it's own history page and links

http://www.elva.com/history/index.php

[Rupertlt1]

Competition Press, Vol 7-No.6 September 30, 1961:
ELVA MK II. Fiberglass body, rebuilt Climax,
brakes, clutch,. New Michelins, deDion rear
trailer. Not raced 1961. Quick sale special
$1250. Kenneth P. Long, 608 Mary St., Utica
3, N.Y.

[Rupertlt1]

Originally Posted by John Turner

Rupert, this is good solid archive research, many thanks.

We really need to link this to:-

http://www.elva.com/ which has it's own history page and links

http://www.elva.com/history/index.php

Thanks. These links also useful:

https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog...B%5D=Elva+Mk+I

https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog...%5D=Elva+Mk+IB

[Rupertlt1]

Toronto Daily Star, 27 June 1958, Page 42.
ELVA Mk I
1500 XPEG MG complete with lystall (sic)
head, Derrington manifold etc. Very
fast. Must sell with trailer and spares.
Mr. Norman. RE. 1-0505 or 6255
Northcrest Place, Apt 1, Montreal,
P.Q.

[Rupertlt1]

Originally Posted by Rupertlt1

Competition Press, Vol 7-No.6 September 30, 1961:
ELVA MK II. Fiberglass body, rebuilt Climax,
brakes, clutch,. New Michelins, deDion rear
trailer. Not raced 1961. Quick sale special
$1250. Kenneth P. Long, 608 Mary St., Utica
3, N.Y.

Could this be the Elva MK II of Millard Ripley from Ithaca in western NY State? Also of interest circa 1958 #171 of Hubert aka Hugh McPhail, from Kenmore, nr Buffalo, NY; Bob Davison (or Davidson) of Buffalo, NY; Bernie Keller, Bellville, Ohio, Elva-Buick.

[Rupertlt1]

What have we here in 1960?

https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/nx427pw4672

RGDS RLT