Fantasy Junction

Description

• Forced cold air intake
• Accusump
• Sparco racing seat
• Fire system
• Panasport wheels with new Yokohama’s
• Shaved windshield
• Re-enforced custom roll bar
• Excellent driver ergonomics
• Big spares package

1964 Elva Courier Mk4-T
s/n E1124
Red with White Stripes/ Black

Elva, not Alfa, was another of those small British car companies: Lotus, Lola, Mallock, Marcos, Peerless, Rochdale, Turner, of the 1950s and 60s that grew out of one man’s hobby, and were based on his exceptional talents. The name Elva is a corruption of the French “elle va”, meaning “she goes” which reportedly is the comment made about the first car build by Frank Nichols, the founder of Elva.

Frank Nichols began by making his own racecar in 1954, and by 1957 was successfully selling sports-racing and formula junior cars in the UK and the USA. The racecars ranged from the early side valve Ford engined models, to sports-racers powered by Porsche and BMW, and to the big V8 McLaren-Elva CanAm cars.

The Courier was the only road car produced. The Mk1 first appeared in 1959 with MGA mechanicals and was improved over the years through Mk2 and Mk3 versions. The last model was the Mk4-T with an 1800cc MGB engine, independent rear suspension of TVR origin, front suspension from Triumph, and an MGB differential housed in an Elva casting. The “Sebring” variant of this car used the Lotus 1558 Twin Cam engine.

In 1961 Elva’s US importer, Walter Dickson, ran into financial problems pushing Elva UK into voluntary liquidation. Carl Haas later took over distribution in the States while the design for the Courier was sold to Trojan Cars Ltd. Trojan manufactured with Frank Nichols to providing the technical expertise until 1965 when production ceased. (The young engineer at Trojan was Patrick Head, later the Williams Formula 1 designer. He probably needed minimum help.) When Elva did finally close, Frank Nichols successfully designed ocean-going rescue boats, the Bede Class, for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute in the UK.

Race History
1967 Raced for first time Riverside International Raceway
1968 2nd SCCA Southern Pacific Division (1 point from 1st)
1968 11th SCCA National Runoffs
1969 1st SCCA D Production
1969 1st Index of Performance, Hillclimb, Bisbee, AZ
1974 SCCA Runoffs, Atlanta, GA
1984 Monterey Historic Races, Laguna Seca

History

This car first raced at Riverside International Raceway in 1966, in near street form by Joel Onstead, Garden Grove, CA. It was purchased by Ed Brannon, Scottsdale, AZ in 1967, when the car was being prepared for racing. Ed Brannon finished race preparation and campaigned the car in SCCA National Races in 1968. The car placed 2nd in the Southern Pacific Division in 1968, one point out of 1st place. At the 1968 SCCA runoffs, this car finished 11th with a tired motor after having blown the good race engine during practice.

In 1969, the car won D Production and also won the Index of Performance at the Bisbee, AZ hill climb, as well as 1st in a professional race with the Arizona Sports Racing Association.

The Elva was sold to Arlene Emond, Phoenix, AZ, in the late 60’s. She raced SCCA National Races for two years and sold the car to Bill Long of Phoenix, AZ, through Ed Brannon. The Elva was restored in 1971 by Ed Brannon for Bill Long. Long raced the car in SCA National Races in 1971, and sold it back to Arlene Emond, through Ed Brannon, again. Arlene again raced SCCA National Races through 1975 and received several invitations to the Runoffs. She entered the Runoffs at Atlanta, GA in 1974, but did not start after breaking a rear outer axle in practice. She retired from racing in 1975 and sold the car back to Ed Brannon, who again did a major restoration.

The car ran mainly SCCA, Solo I’s and II’s until 1984 when it was accepted at the Monterey Historic Races at Laguna Seca and was driven by Mark Brannon (son of Ed Brannon). The Elva has been campaigned in Vintage Races with HMSA, VARA, ASRA, SVRA, and the Chicago Historics. It was at the Elva reunions in Atlanta, GA, and at Mid-Ohio in the early nineties. The car again underwent major restoration in 1993. Since that time, it has entered four races, as recorded in the log book.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

Inquire About This Car

Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608