Elfin Sports Cars
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1957 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
Key people | None |
| Products | Automobiles |
| Parent | Walkinshaw Performance |
| Website | www.elfin.com.au |
Elfin Sports Cars Pty Ltd is the current name of the car company which was founded by Garrie Cooper. It has been an Australian manufacturer of sports cars and motor racing cars since 1957.
Elfin Sports Cars is owned by ex British Racer Tom Walkinshaw through his company Walkinshaw Performance which also owns Holden Special Vehicles[1]. It was previously owned by businessmen and historic racing enthusiasts Bill Hemming and Nick Kovatch (who remains as technical director) who purchased it in 1998.
The current manufacturer location is at Braeside, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia.
Elfin is the oldest continuous sports car maker in Australia and one of the most successful with 29 championships and major Grand Prix titles[2]. The previous factory was located at Conmurra Avenue, Edwardstown in suburban Adelaide, South Australia.
History
The company was founded by Garrie Cooper (Adelaide 1935-25 April 1982), a successful championship driver and designer and builder of racing and sports/racing cars as Elfin Sports Car Company. In 1983, following the death of its founder, the firm was bought by Don Elliot and managed by Tony Edmondson who re-established the provision of parts and service to existing owners. There is a heritage centre dedicated to Elfin Sports Cars in Melbourne, Australia. The centre features around 12 vehicles on display.
Racing
Elfin won 29 championships and major titles including two Australian Drivers' Championships, four Australian Sports Car Championships, three Australian Tourist Trophies and four Formula Ford titles, the Singapore Grand Prix (1968) and twice won the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Drivers of Elfin cars included World Formula One Champion James Hunt and French Formula One driver, Didier Pironi. Others were Vern Schuppan, Larry Perkins, John Bowe, Frank Matich, Bob Jane, John Harvey, Allan Grice and Peter Manton.
Models
Current Vehicles
Elfin is currently producing two Chevrolet V8 powered sports cars: the MS8 Streamliner and the MS8 Clubman.
Historic Vehicles
The original company produced 248 racing and sports racing cars in 27 different models over a 25 year period.
| Model | Total [3] | Production | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steamliner | 23 | 1959-1963 | Sports racing car (front engined) |
| Formula Junior | 20 | 1961-1964 | Formula Junior racing car |
| Clubman | 14 | 1961-1965 | Clubman sports car |
| Mallala | 5 | 1962-1964 | Sports racing car |
| 100 Mono | 19 | 1964-1969 | Australian 1½ Litre Formula racing car |
| Formula Vee | 21 | 1965-1968 | Formula Vee racing car |
| 400 | 4 | 1966-1967 | Sports racing car (V8 powered) |
| 300 | 6 | 1967-1969 | Sports racing car |
| 600 | 27 | 1968-1971 | Racing car (various formulae) |
| 600 FF | 17 | 1969-1972 | Formula Ford racing car |
| 350 | 1 | 1969 only | Sports racing car |
| ME5 | 1 | 1969 only | Sports racing car (V8 powered) |
| 360 | 3 | 1971 only | Sports racing car |
| MR5 | 4 | 1971-1972 | Australian Formula 1 racing car (F5000) |
| 620 FF | 20 | 1972-1975 | Formula Ford racing car |
| 622 | 6 | 1972-1974 | Australian Formula 2 racing car |
| 623 | 8 | 1973-1974 | Australian Formula 3 racing car |
| MR6 | 1 | 1974 only | Australian Formula 1 racing car (F5000) |
| MS7 | 1 | 1974 only | Sports racing car (V8 powered) |
| 630 | 2 | 1974-1975 | Australian Formula 2 racing car |
| 630B | 2 | Formula Atlantic & Australian Formula 2 racing car | |
| 700 | 7 | 1975-1977 | Australian Formula 2 racing car |
| MR8 | 3 | 1976-1978 | Australian Formula 1 racing car (F5000) |
| NG Formula Vee | 29 | 1976-1983 | Formula Vee racing car |
| 792 | 3 | 1979 only | Australian Formula 2 racing car |
| Aero FF | 1 | 1979 only | Formula Ford racing car |
| GE Two-25 | 1 | 1980 only | Australian Formula 2 racing car |
| MR9 | 1 | 1980 only | Australian Formula 1 racing car (F5000) |
| Total | 248 | ||
The FF84, a Formula Ford racing car was produced in 1984. An Australian Formula 2 racing car, the Elfin 852, followed in 1985. A Formula Holden racing car, the Elfin FA891 (FA for the categories original name, Formula Australia), was fielded in the 1989 Australian Drivers' Championship by Elfin Sports Cars. Follow up orders from competitors were not forthcoming, largely prefering to import the latest British designs from Van Diemen, Ralt and Reynard.
A new generation Elfin Clubman Type 3 sports car was launched in 1998 with 50 produced, in 'turn key' form or as rolling chassis kits.
References
- ^ McGrath, McGrath (2006-12-15). "Elfin joins the HSV club". Carsguide.com.au. Retrieved 2007-03-12.
- ^ Round, Jason. "GOING FOR GOLD". HOT4s. Retrieved 2007-03-12.
- ^ John Blanden & Barry Catford, Australian Elfin Sports and Racing Cars, 1997
See also
External links
- Elfin Cars Pty Ltd
- Introducing the Holden Elfin MS8 Clubman and MS8 Streamliner
- Brian Ax with a profile of Elfin
- Video of Elfin Clubman and Streamliner MS8s
- Elfin racing images Retrieved from Autopics on 14 August 2008