1959 Other Makes Elva Courier

MG

100/69/L

Clear

British Exotica: 1959 Elva Courier Mk I! Elva -- derived from the French "elle va" or she goes -- started as a small garage shop in Bexhill-on-Sea in 1954 but came to build some of the most memorable race cars of the 1950s and 1960s. So successful, actually, that the American importer suggested to expand the business by adding a road going sports car, and thus the Elva Courier was born. Between 1958 and 1968, about 500 of these fascinating machines were manufactured. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Many of these exotic, yet fabulously dependable cars were driven hard and put away wet. Since most owners eventually came to race their Couriers competitively, the pool of survivors is considered rather small. We were elated when we unearthed this street-driven example, one of the few Elvas that had languished in a private garage for years, below the radar of collectors, not having been on the market since 1974. The 1959 Elva Courier MK I featured here, VIN *100/69/L*, has been a California resident all its life. In 1974, the car was sold by Import Motors in Concord, Calif., to its second local owner to date. At the time, the odometer read 70,335.6 miles; today, the odometer reading is 74,305, and there's no doubt in our mind that this is the total, actual mileage of this car. Purchase price back then was a whopping $1,140, and a low-mileage 1969 VW Bug was taken in as a trade to cover $900 of this amount. Ahh, the good old days! Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Documents include the old, small California title ("pink slip"), lots of past registrations, and a few service and parts receipts, confirming the single (Lady) ownership for the past four decades. Amazingly, both California black-and-yellow license plates, confirming this Elva's provenance, are still with the car and are included with this sale, as is the very rare, selling dealer's license plate frame and a neat, geen-and-white Elva jacket patch. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Elva was an early proponent of fiberglass construction, making the car about 300lbs lighter than the MG"A", whose power train was used. Its handling was described as "perfectly balanced" by none other than the immortal Mark Donohue, who started his illustrious career driving a Courier to the 1961 SCCA U.S. road racing championship! Though being a roadster, the Elva comes with full weather equipment. Top frame, 2 convertible tops (one white, one black), tonneau cover and side curtains are all included. One of the plexiglas windows is cracked, but otherwise both side curtains are in wonderful condition. The top and tonneau have shrunk a bit; we doubt that anyone would ever use 'em, but they'd be easy to replace. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Originally Robin's Egg Blue, the car was repainted to its current Carmine Red in 1977. As you can see, the paint is very old and heavily patinated. The body is generally in good condition, rear fender wells have been altered a bit to accommodate larger tires, and there are a couple of stress cracks around the font "nose," but nothing too dramatic. Elva rolls on its original 14-inch steel wheels; the small generic center caps are missing. The original roll bar is a bolt-in affair and can be removed within minutes. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Originally fitted with an MG"A" engine (see # on the brass I.D. tag), the car today features the 1800cc MG"B" unit # 18-U-H-19966, of 1963 vintage. Click on any of the above images for a full-size view After some easy recommissioning work, including a flush of all systems, cleaning of fuel pump and carburettors, installation of a new battery, cables, hoses, and spark plugs, as well as an oil and filter change, the engine fired right up. It runs very strong, with great oil pressure, and sounds even better. There's no exhaust smoke. We've bled the clutch and it works, too, but loses pressure after a while. Car shifts nicely through all gears. Wiring looks clean; lights and switches work. A brake job and some TLC is really all that's needed to make this Elva roadworthy again. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Cozy interior presents itself largely original. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Minimalist cockpit reminds us a bit of the Jaguar XK/SS, features just the essential gauges and switches. Smaller steering wheel has been fitted, yet the original wheel is included as well. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Black leatherette upholstery looks fine. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) What a beauty! Elva used proprietary light fixtures, a mix of Triumph and MG. And yes, there's a trunk; let's have a look. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) After unlocking it with the ancient-looking "church key" that's also used for the external bonnet locks, we are surprised to find a sizeable luggage compartment and even a spare! Click on any of the above images for a full-size view The aforementioned weather equipment as well as a box containing miscellaneous odds and ends comes with the car. Notice the original steering wheel! Elva's undercarriage looks clean and dry. Thankfully, the tubular steel chassis is free of rust or damage. Apparently, the frame was extended forward by about 20 inches to protect the car from damage, a modification that could easily be reversed, as no part of the original frame was altered. Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Click on any of the above images for a full-size view Undercarriage in more detail. Just like many other British cars of the period, the Elva featured wooden floor boards. Fiberglass structure is in very good condition throughout. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Note the split windshield, hallmark of the Courier MK I. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) A rare find, a super fun car to drive, a great conversation starter, and probably one of the most inexpensive -- and at the same time most exclusive -- means to participate in historic racing and rallying, this black-plate Elva Courier MK I, on of the very few Elvas that -- until today -- has reportedly never been raced, is looking for a new, loving home. Either way you look at it, it's an investment that will yield fantastic returns! You are most welcome and encouraged to view this fine automobile in Ventura, by appointment, during the auction, or have someone inspect it for you. Please, perform your due diligence before you bid. Please, note that this car is currently advertised on our Web site and on display in our Showroom. We reserve the right to accept a satisfactory offer and close this auction at any time. Feel free to contact us via e-mail at bill@californiaclassix.com or call us at (805) 653-5551. TERMS OF THIS SALE By bidding in this auction, you declare that you have read and accept the Terms of this Sale as outlined below. If you have any questions, please ask them before you bid. After the auction has ended, the sale is final. Please, only bid on this car if you are serious about owning it and have the necessary funds readily available! We require a $1,000 deposit to be paid via PayPal within 24 hours of the end of the auction and the balance to be paid via bank wire transfer (or in cash) within 5 business days, unless other arrangements have been agreed upon during the auction. The car comes with a clear California Certificate of Title. It is smog exempt and sold "as is, where is" with no warranty stated or implied. Mileage stated above is the current odometer reading. Both license plates are included in sale. You fully understand that you are not bidding on an "option to buy" this vehicle. You bid to own! There are no contingencies. We ship worldwide. For more information about Californiaclassix, please click on the link below: About Auction Presentation, Image Hosting, & Copyright © 1999-2012 by Californiaclassix.com™. All Rights Reserved. Californiaclassix.com™ is a Registered Trademark. In compliance with eBay's Rules and Regulations, no part of this presentation may be reproduced without written permission of the author. E-mail inquiries to the webmaster@californiaclassix.com.