1962 Elva Courier MK III Fastback Coupe

Lot details
Registration No: 7832 PJ
Chassis No: E1075
Mot Expiry: Feb 2010

H&H are indebted to the vendor for the following description: "This historic Elva was converted to full FIA racing specification during 2005 before competing at that year's Goodwood Revival meeting (FIA papers - Class GTS11 Period F Competition GT car). Hiding a fully refurbished and reinforced chassis under its original bodywork, FIA compliant modifications made to the car included the fitting of a limited slip differential (3.7:1), adjustable shock absorbers, rose-jointed suspension, enlarged / tuned B-series 1650cc MG A engine, four-speed helical gearbox, Weber DCOE45 carburettor, Dynalite dynamo, Kenlowe fan, front discs, twin Girling brake cylinders, racing belts, Lifeline fire extinguisher system and period alloy wheels shod with Dunlop racing tyres.

Believed but not warranted to be the first prototype for the MK4 fastback coupe, it was built on a MK3 ('live' rear axle) chassis and featured an oblong rear window rather than the wraparound design found on later cars. Thought to have been used for the new design's RAC press launch at Epsom, the compact GT was road registered as '7832 PJ' during March 1963. Painted dark blue and riding on disc wheels, the lithesome fixed head had its number plate retained by second keeper, Peter Cliff. Pictured in Peter Filby's book 'Specialist Sports Cars' with the replacement number plate '744 NOJ', the Elva has since been reunited with its original registration. Resurfacing with Roger Dunbar - now the owner of the Elva name - during 1995, the fastback coupe had been partially stripped. Passing through the hands of John Kempton, Fred Boothby and Jim Lowry, the still dismantled car was then bought back by Boothby who restored it.

He competed at the Goodwood Revival with the Elva, but sold it to the vendor in 2006 so as to liberate funds for another project. A class winner on occasion, '7382 PJ' has run in the Top Hat, Equipe GTS, Bentley Drivers Club and Classic Sports Car Club series. Intriguingly a similar Elva was once 'first reserve' for the Le Mans 24-hours so perhaps a run in the Le Mans Legend might not be impossible. Fantastic to drive as well as race, the Elva has been down to the Bexhill Museum and show. A rare road car that has been transformed into a competitive racer, '7382 PJ' is offered for sale with paperwork file (including original buff logbook), current MOT valid until February 2010, historic class (free) road tax and a quantity of spares (engine, gearbox, brake / suspension components etc)".