1959 Elva MkIV Sports Racer #100/86L
Aiming to disrupt the dominance of the Lotus 11, the Elva MkIV burst onto the sports racing scene with revolutionary features like fully independent front suspension and rear suspension using the half shaft as the upper control arm. These innovations enabled the car to make its mark and take the fight to Lotus, setting the stage for continued battles in the years to come. Campaigned very successfully for a number of years by Tom Grudovich before being sold to Michael Oritt, this Elva MkIV is a front-runner in almost any small-bore field. Sporting a 1460cc Coventry Climax FWB, this car has dueled with numerous other members of our shop including Hervey Parke's Elva Courier and Michael Clifford's Lotus Cortina!
Engine
• 1,460cc Coventry Climax FWB• 130bhp, 6,500rpm redline
• Dual 40mm Weber DCOE carburetors
• Billet crankshaft, steel rods, forged pistons
Drivetrain
• 4-speed Austin Healey Sprite close-ratio, straight-cut synchromesh gearbox• Aluminum transmission case
• Austin Healey Sprite differential with Elva cast magnesium center case
• Limited slip differential
• 4.55:1 final drive
Body/Chassis
• All fiberglass body with removable nose and tail• Round-tube spaceframe chassis design
• Total weight: ~1,030lbs without driver
Brakes/Suspension
• Coilover suspension at all four corners• Elva fabricated unequal-length front A-arms
• Datsun 240Z aluminum front brake drums
• Independent rear suspension using the half shaft as the upper control arm • Finned aluminum rear brake drums