The name Elva is a corruption of “elle va” meaning “she goes”.

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I  acquired this car in 1989 from Roger Dunbar who runs Elva Engineering and the Elva Owners Club as an unfinished project, resulting in a ground up restoration which spanned a seven year period of working on the car when enthusiasm gripped me. The engine is 1998cc re-stroked MGB engine, modified by Burton Engineering of Essex and the transmission is an MG four speed gear box driving a Wolseley rear axle with a Le Mans differential. The chassis was created from the original welding jig by Elva Engineering, incorporating an anti-roll bar for chassis stiffness.

 

Everything was the black powder-coated using acrylic paint, which gives it its lovely gloss shine. The original seats were re-upholstered in Connolly leather together with new dashboard leather covering, and carpets. The car has a top speed of over 100mph which can get quite exciting when trying to slow it down, as it still has the original narrow Wolseley drum brakes all around.

 

The car has been used for track day testing and has taken part in the Brooklands Mercedes Test Track demonstration days which are quite exciting with everyone driving as quickly as possible. Track day outings include a half-hour competition speed trial around the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit. This was the first time I had ever experienced how good the car was to drift through the long fast corners of that circuit.

 

​This type of car was raced in 1950s and 60s. It was built in Bexhill-on-Sea by the Elva Motor Car Company, the brainchild of Frank Nicholls, and they built several different sports racing cars and Formula Junior cars. Following a take-over by the Trojan Motor Car Company the name went on to build the McLaren Elva cars for Bruce McLaren.

 

Many famous drivers have raced Elvas, including Sir Stirling Moss, Archie Scott-Brown, John Blunsden and Tony La Franchi to name just a few.

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I believe my Elva is the only street-legal Courier being driven on the road in this country. There are a number still racing in historic sports car races. The majority of Elvas were exported to the United States, and there are several hundred of different types still being driven and raced there.

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Its was quite poignant that when Frank Nicholls passed away, other than obituary articles appearing in the motoring press in this country, the memorial service to him was held at Watkins Glen Race Circuit, famous for a number of outstanding Elva race wins.