"Once his military service was complete in 1947, racing enthusiast Frank Nichols purchased a small garage at Westham, England. Having achieved some success, he then moved to larger premises in Bexhill, Sussex, where a burgeoning motor racing community existed. Beginning with a Lotus VI, Nichols campaigned a CSM Special in 1954, achieving considerable success. He resolved to produce and sell a similar car of his own design and, in 1955, founded Elva Engineering Company. Legend has it that Nichols named his cars ‘Elva’ for the French ‘elle va,’ meaning ‘she goes.’ Designed by Mick Chapman and competing immediately and successfully against the similar small displacement Lotus sports-racers of Colin Chapman, its success encouraged Nichols to emulate its design with the first few Elva live rear axle sports-racers, they were the equal, if not the better, of Chapman's Lotus 11 in England, Europe and the U.S.
This lovely example of this British racing classic sports car is presented in white with a blue stripe running front to rear, making it immediately recognisable amongst other competitors on the track. This is a rare alloy bodied late Mk. II Elva, running with a Coventry Climax FWA 1100cc engine and with good contemporary overseas racing history. The owners of this sports racer can be traced from 1958 to the present day with many of its races being competed in the USA, most notably Laguna Seca in hands of Dan-San Abbott and various other races at Sonoma, Monterey and CSRG (Classic Sports Racing Group) at Virginia International Raceway (VIR). It is in great condition and was race prepared by IN Racing last April and then subsequently participated at the HGPCA test day at Silverstone. It has not been entered into any competition since April last year but is ready to race now. The car comes with current FIA HTP papers (see history file for original papers) which expire on 31st December 2027. Stirling Moss Trophy and the Goodwood Revival are just two of the events this very pretty little sports racer is eligible for, subject to compliance to the rules and regulations at the time of entering. A quick and nimble British sports car with period race history and current FIA paperwork, let’s go racing and celebrate Elva’s 65th anniversary in 2020!"