|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
With the advent of the U.S.R.R.C. in 1963 and the fact that under 2 liter sports racing cars could compete for overall honors in the 1964 championship season against their larger-engine counterparts on a points basis, the Elva-Porsche was conceived by Midwest Porsche distributor, Oliver Schmidt, Elva importer Carl Haas, and Elva designer, Frank Nicholls. Light, nimble and powered by a reliable, yet powerful Porsche Carrera engine of 1700 cc, the Elva-Porsche stunned the racing world by winning its inaugural race in the U.S., the prestigious Road America 500 in August of 1964.
Resulting from that success, a production run of 19 cars was committed to over the next year and one-half. This car, chassis no 70P/040 was built on March 25, 1965 and initially delivered to Mr. E. L. (Lee) Hall of Deerfield, Illinois. Lee proceeded to win the 1965 SCCA E. Modified National Championship with 24 points to his credit and figured strongly in E. Modified races throughout the Midwest.
In the spring of 1966, Lee sold the 70P/040 to Michael G (Mike) Rahal of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, who over the next several seasons campaigned the car throughout the Midwest in SCCA events culminating with a 2nd place finish in the 1968 SCCA B sports racing National Championship. Upgrading to a newer Porsche Carrera 6 for the annual SCCA National Run-offs at Riverside, California, in November of 1968, 70P/040 was sold to Dr. Hugh E. Wise who continued to house the car in the Rahals' racing garage for the next several seasons.
As before, Dr. Wise competed in local SCCA events throughout the Midwest. In May of 1970, Mike Rahahl "borrowed" 70P/040 for a weekend of Canadian racing at Harewood Acres, Ontario. It was at Harewood that May weekend that Bobby Rahal, Mikes' son, made his racing debut in the very car - Elva-Porsche #70P/40.
Of the 19 chassis produced, only 12 are known to exist today. After years of discovery, with the assistance of many friends, 70P/40 returns to the Rahal family in the presentation reflective of that day in May, many years ago.
Resulting from that success, a production run of 19 cars was committed to over the next year and one-half. This car, chassis no 70P/040 was built on March 25, 1965 and initially delivered to Mr. E. L. (Lee) Hall of Deerfield, Illinois. Lee proceeded to win the 1965 SCCA E. Modified National Championship with 24 points to his credit and figured strongly in E. Modified races throughout the Midwest.
In the spring of 1966, Lee sold the 70P/040 to Michael G (Mike) Rahal of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, who over the next several seasons campaigned the car throughout the Midwest in SCCA events culminating with a 2nd place finish in the 1968 SCCA B sports racing National Championship. Upgrading to a newer Porsche Carrera 6 for the annual SCCA National Run-offs at Riverside, California, in November of 1968, 70P/040 was sold to Dr. Hugh E. Wise who continued to house the car in the Rahals' racing garage for the next several seasons.
As before, Dr. Wise competed in local SCCA events throughout the Midwest. In May of 1970, Mike Rahahl "borrowed" 70P/040 for a weekend of Canadian racing at Harewood Acres, Ontario. It was at Harewood that May weekend that Bobby Rahal, Mikes' son, made his racing debut in the very car - Elva-Porsche #70P/40.
Of the 19 chassis produced, only 12 are known to exist today. After years of discovery, with the assistance of many friends, 70P/40 returns to the Rahal family in the presentation reflective of that day in May, many years ago.
The name 'Elva' means 'She Goes' in French. They soon became strong contendors on both sides of the Atlantic and is considered one of the more competitive contendors in sports car racing. They provided strong competition for Lotus drivers and to Colin Chapman's production. There were a total of around 69-72 examples of the MK7 produced between 1963 through 1965. Engine options varied, some were fitted with Lotus/Ford 1600cc, Ford Cosworth 1100cc, (Porsche, Climax, Lotus Twin Cam, and BMW) and various other units.
The European based company, Elva, was formed by Frank Nichols. The cars became very popular, especially overseas, since Nichols was more interested in selling cars rather than racing. This meant that on European soil, the Elva's driven by privateers often battled against the factory Lotus 23/23B entrants. In the US, the Elva's did not have this level of competition; rather, they were often pitted against other privateers in SCCA competition.
The MK7 was designed to house a number of engines; many were given a Porsche powerplant or a BMW 2-liter engine. Aside from Abarth, Elva was the only other company to be allowed to use Porsche engines from the factory. The chassis was based on a tubular spaceframe configuration coupled with an all-independent coil-over suspension. There were anti-roll bars and disc brakes in the front and rear, and a rack-and-pinion steering setup.
The Elva MK7 made its debut race in 1963 at Road Atlanta and emerged victorious. This was a true testament to the cars abilities, the potent Porsche powerplant, and a sign of things to come for the small and nimble racer. It would become the best Under 2-Liter Sports Racer of its era.
Porsche purchase two Elva MK7s and fitted one with a 2-liter, flat-eight engine. In the capable hands of Herbert Miller, it won the European Hill Climb Championship. A few design details from the Elva MK7 would later make their way into Porsche products.
The MK7 was designed to house a number of engines; many were given a Porsche powerplant or a BMW 2-liter engine. Aside from Abarth, Elva was the only other company to be allowed to use Porsche engines from the factory. The chassis was based on a tubular spaceframe configuration coupled with an all-independent coil-over suspension. There were anti-roll bars and disc brakes in the front and rear, and a rack-and-pinion steering setup.
The Elva MK7 made its debut race in 1963 at Road Atlanta and emerged victorious. This was a true testament to the cars abilities, the potent Porsche powerplant, and a sign of things to come for the small and nimble racer. It would become the best Under 2-Liter Sports Racer of its era.
Porsche purchase two Elva MK7s and fitted one with a 2-liter, flat-eight engine. In the capable hands of Herbert Miller, it won the European Hill Climb Championship. A few design details from the Elva MK7 would later make their way into Porsche products.
| Photos grouped by event | |
|
2005 Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance |
2005 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance |
1965 Elva MK 7S |
|
| Year | 1965 |
| Make | Elva |
| Model | MK 7S |
| Engine Location | Rear |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Production Years for Series | 1964 - 1965 |
| Body Designer | Frank Nicholls |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown | |
| Chassis Number | 70P/040 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | I |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 1700.00 cc | 103.7 cu in. | 1.7 L. |
| Valves | 8 valves. 2 valves per cylinder. |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline - Petrol |
| Standard Transmission | |
| Gears | 5 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| View Specifications |
| Similar Automakers |
| Add Review |
| Elva History |
| Other models by Elva |
 |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| 2005 Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance |
| 2005 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance |
| 1965 Elva models |
| MK8 |
| Vehicle Spotlight | ||
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
