Description:

SUMMARY

Offering potential access to Goodwood and beyond, this period competition car was a factory entry in the 1959 Sebring 12 Hours, and now benefits from a fresh J. Whitehurst Climax engine and a newly issued FIA HTP.

DESCRIPTION

Brainchild of garage owner Frank Nichols, the first Elva sports car (from the French 'elle va', she goes) was built in the mid-1950s.  A low-volume competition car, the Elva Mk I achieved a fair degree of success in amateur racing in the UK, paving the way for further models, many of which were exported to the USA where they proved immensely popular, and successful, in SCCA racing.

By the time the Elva Mk IV was introduced, the cars had become much more sophisticated, the  Mk IV featuring fully independent suspension and a tubular space-frame chassis with the aluminium undertray riveted to the chassis frame, increasing rigidity and strength. Engine options varied depending on use, but a common setup was the 1,100cc Coventry-Climax engine mated to an MGA gearbox with specially made Elva close-ratio gears. The brakes utilised transversely-finned Alfin drums, with the rear being inboard. The engine was installed as far back in the frame as possible, providing optimal weight distribution and the distinctive alloy bodywork offered a 'wheel at each corner' with very little overhang and a nose-hinged front clamshell enabling quick access to the engine. An elegant curved Perspex windscreen offered aerodynamically effective driver protection and the entire package rested on Elektron wheels designed by Elva.

We are pleased to offer this well-known and well-documented Elva Mk IV Sports Racer, chassis #4L 100/61, a car with strong period history and continued presence in Historic Motorsport racing today.

Delivered new to Elva Engineering, '4L 100/61' was entered by the factory for its first outing at the 1959 Sebring 12 Hours, where it performed impressively, finishing 2nd in class and 23rd overall. Driven that season by Burdette Martin, the Elva appeared in five SCCA events in 1959, including Lawrenceville, Wilmot, and Road America, achieving several strong finishes and securing 1st place at the November Wilmot regional. Martin continued to race 4L 100/61 into 1960, with outings at Bridgehampton, Wilmot, and Road America, adding two more SCCA class wins to its record.

In 1960, the car was acquired by Bob Leiss, who retained it for over two decades before passing it on to Jerry Schoultz in 1983. The owner prior to our vendor, a noted mid-western collector, purchased the Elva in 2017 and proudly showcased the car in select events including the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

Under current ownership, the Elva has been used as intended and prepared by MRM to modern historic racing standards. The car now benefits from a new J. Whitehurst–built Coventry Climax race engine and it has been comprehensively mechanically overhauled with all new components in the gearbox, differential, suspension and related assemblies.

Supporting documentation is extensive, including the car’s FIVA Identity Card (A/3 Classification), period letters and memorabilia, a period Walker’s Bourbon advertisement featuring the Elva in action, and a fine collection of period racing photographs. The file also includes a newly issued FIA Historic Technical Passport (HTP), confirming eligibility for Goodwood and a range of premier historic racing events worldwide.

Attractive, purposeful, offering access to some of the best motorsport events worldwide, and representing one of the most effective front-engined, drum-braked, sports racers of its era, this Elva Mk IV Climax offers both strong provenance and immediate usability for its next lucky owner.

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