McLaren Elva

Posted on April 8, 2021 by classiccarweekly

2020 McLaren Elva

Offered by Bonhams | Los Angeles, California | April 10, 2021

McLaren has gone on a spree of producing pretty out there cars of late. From the P1 to the Senna to the Speedtail and now this, the Elva. The name harkens back to the lightweight Elva racing cars of the 1950s and 60s. McLaren had a relationship with that company back in the day, too.

This new Elva features a carbon-fiber monocoque, a full carbon-fiber body, and no windshield. In place of the latter, the car has an air management system that directs air from the nose up and around the cockpit. It’s like a windshield made of air. It’s the sort of thing you’d expect James Dyson to produce. Lamely, U.S.-market cars will get a windshield and side windows.

The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 is rated at 804 horsepower. McLaren claims the Elva is the lightest car they’ve ever made. It’ll hit 60 in 2.8 seconds and tops out at 203 mph. McLaren was going to initially build 399 examples, and they later cut it back to 249. Bonhams claims this is car #45 of only 149 built. It carries a pre-sale estimate of $1,700,000-$2,100,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Withdrawn.

Elva Mk I/B

Posted on September 24, 2018 by classiccarweekly

1956 Elva Mk I/B

Offered by Bonhams | Knokke-Heist, Belgium | October 5, 2018

Photo – Bonhams

Elva Engineering Co. Ltd. was founded by Frank Nichols in 1955. The first series of cars, the Mk I, were based on a previous Nichols creation, the CSM, and were sold as bare rigid tubular chassis with a live rear axle. Some assembly required.

In 1956 the Mk I/B was introduced and it came with an engine – a 1.1-liter Coventry Climax straight-four. The streamlined fiberglass body was actually built by Falcon Shells and it’s estimated that only 14 were built. This example was road raced around the Midwest its first owner, seeing track time at the likes of Road America and more.

This car was expertly restored in the early 2000s and still shows very well. It is thought to be the final Mk I/B built and is expected to bring between $160,000-$260,000 at auction. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $165,398.

Elva Mk III

Posted on June 9, 2016 by classiccarweekly

1959 Elva Mk III

Offered by Historics at Brooklands | June 11, 2016

Photo – Historics at Brooklands

Elva was a manufacturer of automobiles – most of which were race cars – founded in 1955 by Frank Nichols in Sussex. There were sports racing cars, single seaters, and even a few road cars sprinkled in for good measure. Production ended in 1968.

The Mk III Elva was an evolution of the Mk II racer (most cars just evolved from earlier ones). This car went to the U.S. when new and is powered by a Coventry Climax 1.5-liter straight-four. The body is all auminium and it has race history going back to 1959 at the hands of Carroll Shelby’s mechanic.

The current owner acquired the car in 2009, bringing it back to the U.K. and restoring it. I don’t have an exact number of how many were built, but based on serial numbers, it is probably between 15-25 examples total. It should sell for between $110,000-$125,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $124,215.