An Elva specialist needed!
#51
Posted 10 May 2007 - 00:22
Doc did race a MK IV at Sebring in 1959 but it was 1100cc and was a DNF. (See photo from "Sports Car.")
The '58 Elva was a MK II. After his crash at night when he put the car between a telephone pole and its guide wire and destroyed both ends, the Elva was sent back to England and "a different car" was made using the FPF and trans. That was his MK IV that he raced at Cumberland in 1959, then sold to Berdie Martin. Later Martin raced an Elva-Alfa so I suspect the FPF blew and it was too expensive to repair or too hard to find parts. I do not know what became of the motor or his MK IV. It might have been chassis 100/75.
The Elva MK IV with Burdie Martin and Doc Wyllie.
Doc Wyllie's Elva MK II with FPF motor before shipment to Sebring. Frank Nichols (2nd from L). Car looks to be a MK IIB. It had the same four-headlight bonnet as the Bentley car. The color was BRG with a yellow enos (South African colours.)
Bob
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#52
Posted 21 September 2007 - 20:30
Elva MK II and MK III cars took part in the 1958 race driven by some of America's pioneer road racers, inclluding Chuck Dietrich, "Doc" Wyllie, Frank Baptista, Rip Ripley, Burdie Martin, Cameron Argentsinger, and others. SVRA is inviting ALL Elvas to the March 12-15 races. Selected Elvas will be shown in the Gallery Tent, invited to participate in the escorted drive to downtown Sebring and to make Exhibition laps. Sports Racers, Couriers and (for the first time) Elva Formula Juniors are invited.
Elva cars from overseas will be granted free entries.
Entry forms will soon be available at www.svra.com.
There will be more info at www.elva.com. I may be contacted at bobengberg@aim.com/
#53
Posted 21 September 2007 - 23:54
The Mk1 was pretty early in the 50's more the time of the E93A "Sudden death" or "Sit up and beg" Ford Populars, Anglias and Prefects, they had axles that split down the centreline of the car, and the half-shafts were pulled out towards the centre, as I found out at 2AM one Saturday night after a half shaft broke - As I was being towed home, the left wheel started getting closer and closer to the kerb although the car didn't! Can't remember exactly when the 100E range came out, but I would have thought mid 50s, you could still buy the E93A style in 1957 or '58. Perhaps it was from a Standard Eight, A30 or Morris Minor.
#54
Posted 22 September 2007 - 08:50
I think it is 100E rather than E93A - 100E came out in 1953.
The same type was in chassis number 23, registered YKJ400 in October 1956.
#55
Posted 22 September 2007 - 12:14
It is likely (That word can get you into trouble on this forum) the E93A and 100E had the same back axle - I must admit, when, at 15 (1960), I turned my Dad's Ford Escort on its side, it was too dark to give the underside more than a cursory glance as Mike Freeman, my brother and I pushed it back onto its wheels! I was trying to keep up with Mike Freeman's Volvo 444 round a disused army camp in Stanstead Mountfichett, a forlorn hope, but I was giving it a go when I clipped a high kerb which the Drill Sergeant had failed to get painted in the appropriate shade of highly visible white - after all, it wasn't moving, so it should have been painted.......................
#56
Posted 26 September 2007 - 14:04
Peter Morley's Elva appears to have an axle whose nosepiece has an adaptor fitted onto the four bolt flange that the torque tube was originally bolted to. Which might suggest that it has an E93A axle modified to suit the open propshaft?
#57
Posted 13 December 2007 - 19:07
In the 1963 USRRC race Mike Rahal (father of Bobby) entered an "Elva MK 2". It was a DNF. I am looking for photos of his car. It was the only time he raced it in the USRRC as he purchased a MK 6 later. Bobby emailed Roger Dunbar that the car was owned bt Ralph Theismann (?) of Chicago. I am looking for a photo of the car as it appeared at the USRRC. Thanks, Bob Engberg (bobengberg@aim.com)
#58
Posted 13 December 2007 - 20:02
Vince H.
#59
Posted 13 December 2007 - 23:51
Ralph TreischmannOriginally posted by ElvaMK2
Jerry and William and others,
owned bt Ralph Theismann (?) of Chicago.
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#60
Posted 14 December 2007 - 15:59
#61
Posted 15 December 2007 - 00:18
If Mike Rahal ran the Mk 2 that belonged to Ralph Trieschmann, here is a picture of the car taken in the summer of 1961 during the IRP Divisional Races. Ralph's Elva Mk 2, an old Midwest-campaigned car, followed by Bob Major's Osca FJ and George van de Sande's Porsche 550RS.
all research Willem Oosthoek-photo Willem Oosthoek collection
scanned for site Laurie Willamson.
#62
Posted 15 December 2007 - 17:56
Dunno, but the hometown of Northbrook, Illinois, sticks in my mind for some reason.Originally posted by ElvaMK2
Do you know is Ralph is still alive? Is there a contact email or address for him? Bob
#63
Posted 15 December 2007 - 19:44
all research Willem Oosthoek.
#64
Posted 15 December 2007 - 23:51
Your wrote "Ralph's Elva Mk 2, an old Midwest-campaigned car...."
Is the car known to have been owned by someone before Ralph? Do you have names of the drivers who owned the car before Ralph?
Bob
#65
Posted 16 December 2007 - 22:21
Here is the Elva Mk 2 again this time I would say he has a slight problem.
Here is what Willem Oosthoek has found on the Elva Mk 2 of Ralph Trieschmann.
"The reference to "well-campaigned" came from the magazine caption. I don't have any details on the Mk 2's ownership before Ralph Trieschmann. However, here is another photo of the #56 Mk 2 with Ralph aboard, obviously in trouble. It was taken during the early stages of the Road America June Sprints in 1962, where Trieshmann retired.
In the 1961 Road America 500 Trieschmann and Jack Stone had taken the same #56 to 13th overall, 2nd in GM. For the 1962 Road America they switched to Stone's Mk 5, for 16th overall, 7th in GM."
Frank Opalka, a regular TNF contributor until recently, drove a Mk 2 in the Midwest around the same time and might be able to shed more light.
all research Willem Oosthoek- photo Willem Oosthoek collection.
#66
Posted 17 December 2007 - 04:03
I think the Peter's car might (?) be the ex-Charles Kurtz Sebring car. Bill cut the front fenders behind the front wheels a la Jim Kimberly, unlike the fender cut on my car.
Bill Peters' MK II ca. 1962
Peter's MK II
Bill Peter's MK II when it was blue and first purchased ca. 1961.
Frank Opalka MK II ca. 1963
#68
Posted 31 December 2007 - 20:57
The earliest race I can find is Treischmann at the "June Sprints" at Road America/Elkhart Lake in 1961. Since this is two or three years after the car would have been sold "new" I think maybe Treischmann was not the original owner.
#69
Posted 19 January 2008 - 00:04
The "blood red" car that finished 6th (GM? or Overall?) is in the ad of William Tannhaeuser (sp?), This red Elva MK II might have been bought by Ralph Treishmann in 1959 or so. Since I believe I have the Treischmann car this info is leading me to the original owner. I thought it might have been Frank Campbell but not so sure now.
Here is the advert that is sending me on this search:
This photo was sent to me by Ron Nelson. (He has a gallery of old photos: www.prairiestreetart.com/)
#70
Posted 19 January 2008 - 08:23
#71
Posted 19 January 2008 - 16:43
The green #103 Elva is an MK I and that looks like Chuck Dietrich at the wheel. Chuck began racing the first MK II Elvas in late 1957 so this might be dated 1956 or early-mid 1957. The "Jomar" cars looked somewhat similar.
Do you have other Elva photos?
There are several Lotus MK IX photos. #131 and #142 are both MK 9's. There is also a photo of #28 Elva MK I (Dietrich?) leading a MK 9. The green MK 9 with the big head fairing is the Jesse "Doc" Wyllie car and the #152 Lotus MK 9 is probably Jay Chamberlain. Jay was the Lotus Distributor in Los Angeles so he was a long was from home. This must have been a big race to bring Wyllie and Chamberlain there. Mosport? Probably date from late 1956 or '57 as a 1956 Series 1 Eleven (silver-red) is also shown in the Wyllie photo.
***Jan 20 - What I thought was a Chamberlain car was probably driven by a L. Davidson. I'm sure about the Wyllie car. The silver/red Lotus XI is probably the Robert Weiler car.
#72
Posted 22 January 2008 - 02:39
#73
Posted 05 August 2008 - 23:08
Campbell raced at Road America in 1958 and 1959. Photo appears in the 1960 Yearbook.
Keller raced an "Elva-Buick." Would like info and photos of his car.
Anyone have contact info on these two drivers or their families?
bobengberg@aim.com
#74
Posted 06 August 2008 - 03:01
Apologies if I am wrong but my certainty factor is 95% plus plus.
Regards
#75
Posted 06 August 2008 - 05:47
Vince H.
#76
Posted 06 August 2008 - 08:05
An E93A axle should also have spring mounts for a transverse spring where as a 100E used ordinary fore and after leaf springs.Originally posted by Charles Helps
The E93A had a torque tube at the front of the axle and used cable brakes. The 100E had an open propshaft and had hydraulic brakes.
Peter Morley's Elva appears to have an axle whose nosepiece has an adaptor fitted onto the four bolt flange that the torque tube was originally bolted to. Which might suggest that it has an E93A axle modified to suit the open propshaft?
#77
Posted 12 August 2008 - 00:28
#78
Posted 07 November 2008 - 15:28
#79
Posted 07 November 2008 - 15:35
Charlie Kolb in Elva getting ready for the Queen Catherine Cup Race
Charlie Kolb is sitting in the red Elva. The Car in front is a very early Lister with a 6 cyl Bristol motor - same as the AC Bristol driven by Ray Erickson. The cars were getting ready to go out for the Queen Catherine Cup for E, F and G modifieds. Charlie was 16th overall and 7th in GM. Bob Holbert won in a 550 RS - Charlie beat the E mod Lister-Bristol.
Later in the day Charlie Kolb entered the Grand Prix and was a dnf.
photo Dave Nicholas - www.barcboys.com
all research Dave Nicholas.
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#80
Posted 10 November 2008 - 02:54
The car is the Elva/Alfa MK VI driven by Dizzy Addicott (Boxing Day Derby at Brands Hatch). It is Chassis #60-033, manufacture date is approximately September 1962 and it was unit 26 of the 28 built. The best I can get is:
1962-3 Raced by Dizzy Addicott and possibly a M. Peel and J.A. Jackson in Great Britain, color from factory was green
1964-7 Owners/races unknown but was probably imported to USA.
1967-8 Either sold by, or work performed by, Tom Johnson Performance (5520 Mocking Bird Lane Dallas. Texas). Either sold to, or work performed for a Mr. Ed Hall (93461 Perlita Ave Los Angeles California). Also during this time there are some indications the car could have been associated with a John Shaffer in the San Francisco, California area.
1969 raced by Brian Bims at Long Beach.
1970-4 Owners and race history unknown.
1975-6 Raced by Dick (John) Sasser and Ronald Woods in California. Car is McClaren Orange and rear body is cut out to allow for wider wheels/tires.
1977-86 Car is purchased and raced by Barry Taylor in California. Car is raced at Monterey. In 1980/81 no races while car is restored by Barry Taylor. Barry races the car at various locations from 1982 thru 1986.
1987-8 Car purchased by S. Lindsay after an accident by Barry Taylor. Raced by S. Lindsay at Mid -Ohio, Watkins Glen, Shannonville and Mosport.
1989-90 Purchased and raced by Paul Chichester of Atlanta, Ga.
1990-2001 Owned by Vintage Racing Motorsports, Redmond Washington. According to Thor Thorsen car ran only a couple of times including Grand Bahamas where it placed 2nd in class.
2001-Current Car purchased by Bob Miller. Car has been inactive and needs a thorough restoration. I retired last last January and thought it was about time to get on with this project. Any assistance you might be able to provide is greatly appreciated.
Thx
Bob
pegandbobm@aol.com
#81
Posted 13 November 2008 - 00:11
My brother ,Steve Lindsay , also raced the car in the Bahamas. From my research ,pre internet , this car had a 1.5 Alfa , possibly a Conrero conversion. The car is also different from our Elvas or others we have seen as the bottom water tubes are changed side to side to suit the Alfa waterpump. The car was a lot of fun to drive and reliable. There were at least 33 MK 6s made as Steve has one in his garage with that number on the chassis plate . I have started the restoration of #23 and #29 and have made new correct molds of the body ,dash etc. Will be happy to help and will give your e mail to Steve
John Lindsay
lotus69ca@hotmail.com
#82
Posted 13 November 2008 - 03:39
Bob Millers car chassis 60/33
Steve Lindsay car chassis 60 / 32
John Lindsay chassis 60/23 and 60/29
Aplogies
John Lindsay
#83
Posted 13 November 2008 - 20:39
Steve.
#84
Posted 22 January 2009 - 19:55
The engine was originally a Coventry Climax but had a Maserati 1.5 liter engine installed when used in the movie. It later became the first Vinegaroon Special owned by actor Dan Blocker and once raced by comedian Dick Smothers. I believe Bill Krause drove it once when he was a Maserati factory driver. Sometime in the mid to late 60's it was fitted with Bruihl SR body, an Alfa engine and ran as an enduro special which remains today. I once met the mechanic that installed the Alfa and he told me that he had removed a Maserati engine from the car; however, I don't have that documented as it didn't seem all that important to me at the time and the man is now deceased.
If anyone has any information about this car that would be helpful to me in filling in the blanks, I'd appreciate it. It has been a West Coast car since the early 60's.
I have owned and raced the car for 27 years and it is now for sale.
#85
Posted 22 January 2009 - 21:01
I would like to know the correct overall body width of the Elva Mk VI, and I've found a lot of different values, varying from 57" (the prototype drawings, according to Roger Dunbar) to 63"(measured in a restored car).
thanks,
#86
Posted 23 January 2009 - 01:59
:confused:Please explain how and when Krause drove for the Maserati factory .....???Originally posted by harmonizer
I believe Bill Krause drove it once when he was a Maserati factory driver.
#87
Posted 23 January 2009 - 03:04
The poster is an enthusiast and driver, not a racing historian - he is also a friend of mine.... What I think he means is that Krause was a paid driver-in a car supplied by a Maserati dealer.....Originally posted by RA Historian
:confused:Please explain how and when Krause drove for the Maserati factory .....???
Don Capps said he would do some research on this car a while back
#88
Posted 23 January 2009 - 04:07
In 1963 the car was sold to Dan Blocker, whose crew could not sort out the car either, in spite of driver Bob Harris' best efforts. It ended up as a prop car in the Presley movie Viva Las Vegas, where it looked good with "movie win", although it was a failure in real life.
all research Willem Oosthoek
#89
Posted 23 January 2009 - 15:45
http://www.conceptca...,0,0/photo.aspx
#90
Posted 23 January 2009 - 23:23
I found the Krause connection with the car on the Maserati Club website where they had published an interview with him regarding his years racing Maseratis. In that interview he mentioned racing for "Maserati Reps" which I assumed was a direct factory connection. My mistake. In that interview (and this is accurate) in reference to the Elva/Maserati, he said: "It never ran properly". "It probably saved my life that the Elva did not run as it was an extremely fragile car". Later he mentioned that he did race an Elva Mk7, owned by Art Snyder, at Riverside in 1963. He passed Jimmy Clark (Lotus 23) for the lead, but the Elva began to "vibrate and shake". Clark and he place 1st and 2nd in the under 2 liter.
As I have mentioned I don't have much documented history about my Elva Mk6 and cannot verify that it was the "Elvis Elva". It would be interesting to know if anyone else thinks they own the car.
#91
Posted 24 January 2009 - 10:28
According to 'oldzink':
I spoke with a fellow recently who claims that he is the owner of the Viva Las Vegas Mk6. He said that he bought it from MGM. This one has an 1100cc Ford.
And someone else told me he received a threatening message from someone in America when he suggested the car was in Canada, because this guy claimed he had bought it direct from the film company.
Given the car, complete with Maserati engine, was apparently owned (raced?) by Dan Blocker after the film it is unlikely that this guy did buy the Maserati engined car direct from the film company - but it did sound like he was only too happy to throw lawyers at the issue.
Assuming the guy does have a receipt, from what I remember of the film there were quite a lot of cars in it, I wonder if it is possible that the film company had another Elva?
I'm also wondering why the film company would have bought the cars in the first place, surely it would have been possible to rent them?
But then, as Dave Trueman has presumably told you, I'm interested in the car.
Peter
#92
Posted 24 January 2009 - 14:45
I also agree with Peter's point that the cars in the movie likely were rented rather than purchased. Looking at some of the other identifiable cars in the movie one can see cars of which the history is known and said ownership trail does not include a movie studio. That bolsters that thinking that they were rented, which by extension may also apply to this Elva.
It would be nice to have the argument settled and the identity of the car established. It would also be nice to have Harmonizer's car verified as the one. It is refreshing in this game to have someone say that his car 'MAY be the one but I am not sure' as opposed to the too common but often unproven claim of 'my car IS the one' usually followed by name calling and threats if anyone questions the claim.
Tom
#93
Posted 24 January 2009 - 15:54
#94
Posted 24 January 2009 - 17:01
#95
Posted 24 January 2009 - 17:22
That makes a great deal of sense and answers the questions about how many and what engines as far as I am concerned. It also debunks the claims of the fellow who says that his car was in the movie with an 1100cc Ford, and the fellow who says he bought his from the studio. Thanks Ovfi.Originally posted by ovfi
Two different elvas were used in the 'Viva Las Vegas" movie: the garage scenes were made by Dan Blocker's Elva-Maserati without engine, and the racing scenes by a standard Elva disguised to look like the 'Vinegaroon". If you don't trust me, see the movie. The Maserati engine was being repaired (had a cam bearing seizure in the first test) at the time the car was rented to the movie studio.
Also, Ovfi's statement, "see the movie". Anything with Ann-Margret in it, my friend!
Tom
#96
Posted 24 January 2009 - 21:38
It has given me some renewed enthusiasm for researching the history of my car.
According to Roger Dunbar, my car, 60/10, with Climax 10395 was built 18/4/62, was red and delivered to Rod Carveth in the USA. Several years ago I contacted Mr. Carveth and he didn't remember the car but thought he might have brokered it for Carl Haas. Apparently there was no Elva Mk6 bearing serial number 60/11. Car 60/12 was produced with Climax 10396 and delivered to Haas. A former owner of 60/10 told me that Pierre Phillips of Portland, Oregon purchased it from someone in LA and it was one of Pierre's mechanics, a guy named Dale Rush (deceased), who advised me that he had replaced the Maserati engine with an Alfa.
I intend to pursue some old contacts to see if there is any further information out there that would help trace the history of the car.
Thanks again.
Leigh
#97
Posted 25 January 2009 - 03:11
Tom
#98
Posted 27 January 2009 - 00:16
There is another party who says his car is the Elva Mk6 with the Maserati engine.He has a fair few Elvas .I will drop him a line and ask him to join the conversation and present his story
Maybe we should move this to a MK 6 only thread
John Lindsay
#99
Posted 27 January 2009 - 00:36
I think newer mk6's were made wider than the prototype to make room for wider rims (prototype had 5" rims-car is 57" wide at rear, Blocker's elva-maserati had 6" rims at rear). Yours is 59", maybe good for 5.5" rims.
I'm working on the movie, to make captions of the two different elvas (and Ann-Margret, of course), maybe this can add some help on the identification of the cars.
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#100
Posted 27 January 2009 - 01:28
I never new there were wider bodies - I thought they just cut the body to make them fit
I was told by the 2nd owner ( 3 total) that my car ( 60/29) came with 6" rims .The owner said that Elva been made them originally for the Sebring cars and after that could be ordered with any Mk6 . I will be mounting the body ( original long gone)soon so will let you know. I made new molds off an original undamaged body about 6 years ago. I'll see if I can find the chassis number of that car and see when it started to get wider.
Thanks
John