ELVA COURIER GT FASTBACK

This car has a special history.
This prototype was built in 1962 by the ELVA CARS factory (which had just been bought out by TROJAN), on the basis of a 1960 Elva Courier roadster MK2. It therefore had a more competition-oriented chassis than the 1964 production models. A round tube chassis, with the engine set back, close to the passenger compartment, i.e. behind the steering rack, with the two chassis tubes close to the centre of the car so that the seats could be fitted fairly low.
But that wasn't all: it also benefited from the independent rear suspension design that had featured in the MK4 models from 1964, but which had a more conventional chassis (square-section tubes), with the engine further forward to free up more space inside.
It was exhibited at the 1962 London Motor Show on the ELVA stand. (Earls Court Exhibition Centre), and was registered for the first time in 1963 (NMK 29).

It took part in the following competitions
- A competition at Snetterton in April 1964 (Mr MD CAMPBELL)
- A Club race in August 1964 (Mr ADAMS)
- At Brands Hatch in March 1966, (Mr R.H. LONGTON)

A very special version of the ELVA COURIER was entered for the 24 Hours of Le Mans but was unable to qualify in practice due to aerodynamic and mechanical problems.

Later, probably around 1975, it was modified by an English engineer, Mr Jackson, working for a helicopter manufacturer: he modified the rear chassis to fit inboard brakes, i.e. brakes attached to the deck. This chassis was separated from the hull at the same time. He didn't stop there, modifying the inclination of the windscreen and replacing the small oval rear window with a larger, brighter one. He fitted a slightly prepared 1800cc engine, a special gearbox: an MGA close ratio gearbox but with an overdrive, the first non-synchro gearbox, a dashboard worthy of a helicopter, returned to sheet-metal rims, a vinyl-lined roof, electric windows and additional indicator repeaters placed in the sides of the roof.
This version was featured in the February 1988 issue of Classic Sport Cars.

Then its owner put it up for sale, and it was acquired by a Belgian, who did one or two hill climbs, before selling it in 2004 to another Belgian living in France and a member of AVAR 66 in Perpignan.
He stripped it of its vinyl roof, removed the electric window motors and repeaters, refitted spoked rims, replaced the badly damaged gearbox with a more conventional one, but still with a non-synchro first gear, and refitted a more powerful 1800cc engine, rated at around 140 bhp.

Front brakes: overhauled Girling 3-piston callipers
Rear brakes: overhauled Jaguar E-type callipers, mounted close to the axle
Brake distributor on dashboard, new Girling callipers

New 1820 cc engine, +/-1200 kms, +/- 130/140 bhp
Reworked cylinder head, large valves, competition cylinder head gasket
Weber 48 DCOE carburettor
Pipercams 300 degree camshaft
Exhaust manifold + Michel Léger Competition stainless steel lines
JE Pistons
Carillo connecting rods
Spoked and treated crankshaft
Lighter flywheel
Reinforced clutch

4-speed gearbox with 3 synchros plus overdrive on 3 and 4 speeds controlled by knob

New drive shaft

Drivetrain: original Elva barquette with ELVA aluminium sump
Gear ratio: 3.9:1
Self-locking discs
New axle outputs (transmission)

Competition chassis (Hasting factory) round tubing, engine recessed in passenger compartment
Suspension: 4 independent wheels, proto set-up prefiguring the suspension on the Courrier MK4.
DA Competition front shock absorbers, height-adjustable
Height-adjustable SPAX rear shock absorbers
Nickel geometry made by Stephane Poudrel Compétition

Bodywork
Fastback coupé, different from the Hatchback (like Ford Anglia), very rare
One of the 3 fastbacks exhibited at the London Motor Show in196(3) ?

Modified by an owner in the 70s:
Sloping windscreen (Triumph Herald) the one fitted is new, green tinted laminated.
Larger rear window (MG B GT) and modified boot lid (slight spoiler).

The glass rear window is supplied with the car

5 spoked wheels, reinforced
5 almost new tyres

Interior
2 new Cobra bucket seats
5 M2 of identical imitation leather