HIGHLIGHTS
The Final Elva Built; One of Only Nine Mk8s Models Produced
Sold New to UK Hill Climb Legend Ray Terry
Known History From New
BMW-Powered, and Accompanied by Aluminum Buick V8

OVERVIEW
Elva was a British sports and racing car manufacturer founded by Frank G. Nichols in 1955 in Hastings, England. The name "Elva" comes from the French phrase elle va, meaning "she goes," reflecting the company’s focus on speed and performance.

Initially, Elva built lightweight sports cars for club racing, gaining attention with the Elva Mk series, particularly the MkIV and MkVI models, which used Coventry Climax engines. These cars became popular in the 1950s and early 1960s due to their lightweight chassis and competitive handling. Elva also entered Formula Junior racing, producing single-seaters that competed internationally.

In the early 1960s, Elva collaborated with Bruce McLaren to produce the McLaren-Elva sports cars, which were used in the burgeoning Can-Am series. However, financial struggles led to Elva’s acquisition by Trojan in 1964. Under Trojan, Elva produced the very popular and successful Mk7 and Mk8 models, the latter powered by either a BMW 2.0L 4-cylinder or an aluminum Buick V8.

Despite its short lifespan, Elva left a lasting legacy in motorsport, influencing racing car design and lightweight construction principles. Today, Elva cars remain highly sought after by collectors and vintage racers, representing a key chapter in British sports car history and innovation.

The Elva offered here is one of just nine Mk8s models, and the final Elva built before the company transitioned to McLaren production full-time in 1966. This car was sold new to English hill climb veteran Ray Terry, who used it to dominate the English Hill Climb Championship in 1967 and 1968.

The Elva, then powered by a Buick V8, then saw fairly regular used by a succession of owners in the UK before it was sold to South African Ray Cohen in 1988. A friend of us here at Northwest European, Mr. Cohen vintage raced his Elva on the west coast of the US, until selling it to the current owner in 2006.

Under current ownership the Elva was converted to BMW power, a change made to enhance the car’s global event eligibility. The Buick engine and corresponding Hewland gearbox were retained and are included in the sale. Maintained by the sports-racer experts at J&L Fabricating, the Elva has been extensively and ably campaigned in both the US and Europe.

The Mk8s is currently in very nice condition and is stated by the owner to be ready to race. Its fiberglass bodywork shows signs of use, but remains very presentable. The chassis, suspension, and drivetrain have seen consistent care, and the overall presentation is exceptional.

An accompanying history file shows a carefully researched competition record, as well and FIA HTP papers and multiple historic photographs from Ray Terry’s hill climb days. Also included are numerous invoices for the car’s care and feeding while being raced.

When properly driven, this tremendous Elva Mk8s can be a winning mount at many of the world’s most exciting historic motorsports events. It will offer its next owner a potent and well-balanced driving experience, along with simple maintenance. We invite your close inspection of this exciting 1960’s sports racer.

Please contact Jason at +1-206-355-7727 or Hans at +1-425-417-5877 for more information on this vehicle.