Elva Courier Race Car - Super Competitive

1959 Elva Courier Mk1 Race Car

The Elva company was formed in 1955 by Frank Nichols, The Elva name is a shortened version of the French “Elle Va” or “She Goes”. Having manufactured several Single Seater & Sports Racing Car models in limited numbers, Frank Nichols decided to add a road/race car to the Elva offering. Elva Couriers were first produced in 1958, with approximately 600 Mk’s 1 to 3 being built. The vast majority were shipped to America, with approximately 10% remaining on UK. It is believed that about 30 survive in UK, although a few export cars have since been repatriated to satisfy demand for these great cars. 

Elva Couriers make excellent racing cars, as you should expect from a company famous for building purpose built racing cars. Couriers were a departure to build a dual purpose road/race car. They are frequently underrated, until they take to the circuits. All Mk’s 1 to 3 Couriers have stiff & lightweight chassis with independent double wishbone front suspension, a live rear axle & coil over damper units on all four corners, giving great & easy adjustability. The lightweight fibreglass body & minimalist interior keep the overall weight down to under 700kg.

This particular Elva Courier is an original & rare UK home market right hand drive car. Its early history is not known, it surfaced as literally a barn find, when highly regarded engineer & race car preparer John Sabourin found the car in a barn about 25 years ago, where it had sat for an extended period. John completely stripped the car including removal of the body from the chassis, he repaired & strengthened the chassis, before refitting the restored body. Suspension, brakes, electrics & driveline followed. John initially used UYM as a fun road car, before developing her for sprinting & hill climbing, driving her to & from the meetings for many years. 

Acquired by our client in 2019, we then increased the engine performance to bring it up to race specification & was then raced very successfully in 2020 & 2021. Only used a couple of times in 2022, due to the acquisition of another race car, our client has now reluctantly decided to sell her.

Specification

·         Full race 1622cc engine, with steel billet crank & rods, high compression forged pistons & race camshaft 

·         Weber 45DCOE with race inlet & exhaust manifolds

·         Bespoke race exhaust system

·         Close ratio 3-synchro gearbox

·         Limited slip differential

·         14” steel wheels fitted with used Dunlop Racing tyres 

·         Rebuilt suspension with tuned & matched coil over dampers

·         Alloy fuel tank

·         Bespoke roll bar

·         Period style new alloy racing seat

·         In-date safety harness & fire extinguisher

 

The bodywork is very tidy & presents well. 

This is an opportunity to acquire a highly developed & very competitive Elva Courier, which is on the button & available immediately. It is eligible for a number of different UK & European race series including the excellent Equipe Classic Racing, where it is eligible for their GTS, 50’s & Libre races. Multiple podiums have been achieved by the current owner. 

More detailed photos are available for serious enquiries. 

We also offer event support packages to prepare, transport & run this car for you at any of the events mentioned above.

Call Paul to discuss the car in more detail or to arrange a viewing.