Like the Lotus Seven that was spanned at the same time the Elva Courier went through several configurations and model changes
The Mk 1 came about in 1958 - The cars were made for export to the US - they used the 1500 B Series BMC Block and a variety of states of tune - MGA being the preferred - but beggers can't be choosers.
The suspension being Elva designed utilizing a variety of British components - Triumph, Morris, Hillman
Some of the first cars carried trafficators
The car carried a ladder frame underslung at the rear (Rear Drive over the frame and the most distinctive characteristic a split windscreen - like the Jag XK120 - not a real issue they were removed for racing
The Dash contained an open glovebox
These were the first 50 or 60 cars
The Mk 2 carries a few improvements - first the chassis was reinforced with several additional tubes -
The dash layout was revised to move the instruments to the center and provide an enclosed glovebox
The windscreen was curved
The front indication and running lights moved beneath the bumper
Cars were now offered for domestic consumption as well as export
The Mk 2
Represents the epitome of the Elva Courier car design as:
It was still built by the race car company - exceptional build quality
Used proprietary suspension and fully adjustable suspension
Uses the MGA 1600 engine
Engine was located amidships
Proprietary copper radiator
Car was well set up at the factory
Mk 3
The Mk 3 represents the Trojan takeover
front disc brakes standard
The frame is still ladder but built of square section tubing - the engine was moved forward
but of a MGA 1622 size
The Triumph Herald front suspension was used complete with A arms
The car gained a hood scoop - actually pretty cool (done to accommodate the forward movement of the engine)
The parts were more off the shelf than the bespoke components or adapted components made for the Mk2
Mk 4
This is an interesting combination - some good and some bad -
The car was redesigned - Triumph Spitfire doors and MGB windscreen wider mouth
An independent rear suspension designed by Elva - and used and shared with TVR's
The Engine is the MGB or the Ford 1600 with a few specials leaving with Lotus twin cams
There are several on the web to see
All this being said
There was a lot of transitional cars - Mk 3's with independent suspension and Lotus motors
Mk 2's assembled at Trojan et al
Two hard top versions - an anglia backed and a fastback
You see a lot of variations for racing - most engines were put back in place - engines usually run 1622 or 1800 B-series depending in weight carried --- front suspension went to Vitesse or to GT6 and then back again for vintage.
Strangely the vintage classes require drum brakes - this is interesting as the car was offered with Disk fronts from 1959 or so - I suspect a vintage Porsche 356 conspiracy - Vee don't have disks zo you should not have disks eizer . However I sold at least 5 sets of original drum brakes to bring SCCA racers down to Vintage specifications
Rear axles may have been swapped out for MGA - or reinforced with race axles and double bearing hubs like MG midgets.
The car is Lotus 7 simple with a body and ideal for vintage racing
But as road car it is not so bad either
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