1959 Elva Mark III
Chassis no. 100/54
Registration no. 635 YUR
Having successfully campaigned a Lotus VI Frank Nicholls resolved to produce and sell a similar car of his own design and, in 1955, founded Elva Engineering Company. Despite modest resources Elva produced increasingly sophisticated small capacity sports racing cars, proving a constant thorn in the side of Lotus, who then dominated the thriving small capacity sports car racing scene.
New for the 1958 season, the Mark III as offered here, was the most sophisticated car yet produced by the company. Featuring a lightweight space frame chassis, double tubular wishbone front suspension, de Dion rear suspension with inboard brakes, aluminium Alfin brake drums all round, the all-aluminium 1098cc Coventry Climax FWA racing engine was fitted as standard, driving through a modified MGA gearbox. Wheels were Elvas own lightweight Magnesium design. The car was clothed in a most elegant aluminium body.
Elva Mark IIIs were campaigned successfully at club and international level throughout the world during the late 1950s. Proving themselves the equal of the then dominant Lotus Eleven, Elva only lacking the resources and the driving talent to really take the fight to Colin Chapman’s cars.
100/54 was originally sold to Thomas R. Greatorex of Ohio, Chief Mechanic to the famed Caroll Shelby, through official importers Continental Motors of Rhode Island and first registered on 1st January 1959.
The cars first recorded race was at the 9th Annual Sports Car Trophy Races at Harewood Acres in Toronto in August 15th, 1959. Greatorex finished 6th with a Jaguar XKSS taking the chequered flag followed by a Porsche 718RSK Spyder in the Harewood Acres Le Mans race.
The following month Greatorex headed to Meadowdale in Illinois as part of the Meadowdale Formula Libre event on the 6th September. Greatorex finished 10th amongst Jaguar D-Type, Porsche 550RS and a Maserati 450S.
The last known race Greatorex competed in with the Elva was the International Formula Libre Grand Prix at Watkins Glen in October. He came an impressive 4th overall with the winner Stirling Moss in a Cooper Climax Formula 1 car. It was a 235-mile race against Maserati 300S, Jaguar D-Type, RSK Porsche and various Ferrari's; with besides Moss drivers such as Jo Bonnier and Roger Penske at the wheel. The Elva was at this point finished in mid metallic blue (traces of this can still be found on the body) and carried number 5- see image. This result means that 100/54 can claim a top four finish, in a period international motor race- an accolade few sports racing cars can boast.
The Elva was sold by Greatorex to Ralph Hoyt in 1962, an 'Assignment of Certificate of Title' is on file, Hoyt raced 100/54 in California up to the mid-1960s with a 1500 Ford Cosworth engine fitted by this point. Following this it is believed that the car was used in local club events in the States for a period of time, before the Elva was retained as collateral for a bank loan and remained in a bonded warehouse or similar.
By 1992 the car was in the ownership of specialist Henry Philip Schmidt, more recently trading under the name of Supertec performance, California. The Elva resided with him from 1992 until 2008, when it was exported to the UK and sold at auction in 2009 where it was purchased by car restorer Robert Thredder.
As illustrated by images on file 100/54 was still a fundamentally very complete and correct car, although by this point clearly in need of restoration. During Thredder’s ownership the car was UK road registered ‘635 YUR’ and underwent a sympathetic restoration, while keeping an eye on preserving the cars exceptional originality. During this restoration a 1450cc Coventry Climax FWB engine was sourced and fitted, similar to that which the car would have originally been fitted. The original chassis was retained, cloaked in its original aluminium body work which retains a wonderful patina showing the original welds, the vast majority of the cars original fabric was also retained during this restoration.
Following completion of this work 100/54 was campaigned in a variety of club events including a first in class at Crystal Palace sprint.
Purchased by the current owner in 2016, he embarked on a programme of improvements to the car between 2017 and 2022. Including- fitment of a correct 1098cc Coventry Climax FWA racing engine by Peacock Engineering to their ultimate specification, this unit included- new cylinder head and valve gear, camshaft, crankshaft, con-rods, pistons and much else, work to chassis/suspension and fitment of a rollbar by Wren Classics, rear axle rebuild with various upgrades by John Young.
Due to the owners age 100/54 has been raced sparingly during his ownership and has been in storage for several years. As such it will require a thorough check-over and race preparation prior to use.
Fresh FIA HTP have just been granted for the car- expire 2034. As such 100/54 will offer the new owner the opportunity for giant killing at the highest levels of historic motorsport, just as it did in period.
Please note that the 1460cc Coventry Climax FWB engine and higher ratio differential to suit previously fitted to the car are also potentially available via separate negotiation.