1959 Elva 100 Formula Series

The Elva 100 was created by Frank Nichols of the United Kingdom. He adapted the very capable racer with a BMC A-Series engine. Some versions were given a two-stroke DKW engine specially tuned by Gerhard Mitter of Germany. This was the first mass-produced Formula Junior racer from Britain. Other marques soon followed such as Lotus with their impressive Lotus 18 F1/F2 car. Lotus fitted the chassis with an 1100 cc Ford Anglia engine.

During this time, the close of the 1950s, it was still popular to have the engine in the front of the vehicle.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2006

Sold for $47,025 (€36,400) at 2012 RM Auctions at Monaco.
In addition to SCCA racing in the United States, Elvas competed in the Formula Junior races from 1958 through to 1963. The Formula Junior series was designed to give young drivers an opportunity to compete on a level playing field.

During its production lifespan, approximately 75 examples of the Elva 100 Formula Juniors were produced.

This Elva 100 FJ, with chassis number A200 L110-684, has a long racing history in the United States and has been restored retaining much of its originality. Power is from a 994cc BMC-derived racing engine and is equipped with twin SU carburetors, which retain their original Rytune intake manifolds, as well as Rytune velocity stacks. The car rides on the rare Elva 15-inch magnesium racing wheels and has its original steering wheel. It has its complete VCSSA logbook and FIA HTP papers.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2012

This Elva 100/28EX Formula Junior was raced by Charlie Kolb, who won the 1960 SCCA's Formula Junior Class Championship. It was purchased by Frank Stark in 1974, who raced it continually until 2004. The current owner purchased and restored the car in 2007. He raced it on a regular basis with various organizations and historic events including: Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, and the VIR Gold Cup.

The car is powered by a BMC 1100cc with SU carburetors. It has a BMC A-type 4-speed transmission, a multi-tubular space frame chassis, and magnesium bolt-on wheels. There is a BMC rack-and-pinion steering, and Lockheed 10-inch drum brakes. The suspension is an independent setup in the front with upper wishbones, coil springs/damper units and lower single arms connected by anti-roll bars. In the rear is also an independent setup with coil spring/damper units, lower single arms, fixed-length driveshafts, and trailing radius arms. It weighs approximately 920 pounds.