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#51 RA Historian

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Posted 20 August 2009 - 01:32

Two original owners were Jim Johnston, who ran a white Elva Porsche out of Cincinatti, and I think Ralph Wood, who won the EM class at the first Runoffs at Riverside in 1964.

Bill Wuesthoff's car owner was spelled Ed Weschler.

I believe that you are correct as to the origin of Ernie Erickson's car. That is my recollection, and it also is that of Frank Opalka, as he posted above. The first time that I saw Erickson run his Elva Porsche was in the Sept. 1963 Road America 500. Up until then I saw him run his familiar RS-60. So it appears that his Elva Porsche was being built up during the summer of 1963 at the same time the factory was building the prototype.

I am not sure at all about this, but do seem to recall reading in Competition Press that Bob Brown and George Wintersteen may have had Elva Porsches in early 1964.

Tom



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#52 raceannouncer2003

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Posted 20 August 2009 - 06:10

Yes, Competition Press had George Wintersteen in an Elva-Porsche at the Augusta and Pensacola USRRC's in 1964. Apparently, he also drove one at the '64 Player's 200 at Mosport. At Pensacola, there were seven Elva-Porsches: Wintersteen, Wuesthoff, Dietrich, Skip Scott, Markley, Hayes, and Buzzetta. And the late Ed Hugus beat 'em all in his Lotus 23 !

However, I can't find anything about Bobby Brown in an Elva-Porsche.

Many photos of Elva Mk. 7s (many Porsche-powered) at this link, including Wintersteen's:

http://www.racingspo.../Elva/Mk.7.html

By the way, Greg Campbell had an unfortunate accident in his pretty little Devin-Porsche at the Westwood reunion historic races at Mission, B.C., Canada last month. Greg, could you tell us:

1. exactly what happened
2. your condition and prognosis
3. the condition and prognosis for the Devin.

Hope all is well.

Vince H.

Edited by raceannouncer2003, 20 August 2009 - 06:11.


#53 Gregory Campbell

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Posted 20 August 2009 - 16:01

Yes, I am recovering from a horrific racing accident with my Devin Porsche. Here is a photo of it prior to the accident.

Posted Image

The front wheel bearing failed catastrophically which resulted in the bearing pieces machining the inside of the brake drum where the bearing races seat, and the front wheel came off. I then had no front brakes, very little steering, rear brakes which were fading badly already. I tried to spin the car but only managed to turn 90 degrees and crashed head on into a concrete wall.

I crushed both heels and broke my wrist. I had all 3 limbs operated on and now I am full of titanium. I have been bedridden for 5 weeks and hope to graduate to a wheel chair in a few weeks, and to try and start walking again in a couple months.

The car will live again. I have a mold for the fiberglass body so that will be relatively easy. I will need to find the front end of a 356 Pre-A chassis to splice on.



#54 RA Historian

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Posted 20 August 2009 - 17:16

I crushed both heels and broke my wrist. I had all 3 limbs operated on and now I am full of titanium. I have been bedridden for 5 weeks and hope to graduate to a wheel chair in a few weeks, and to try and start walking again in a couple months.

The car will live again. I have a mold for the fiberglass body so that will be relatively easy. I will need to find the front end of a 356 Pre-A chassis to splice on.

Sounds to me that you will have parts spliced on, etc.! Seriously, I am sad to hear of your accident and wish you well for a speedy recovery and a return to the track. In the meantime, keep researching the Elva Porsches; hopefully you can compile a complete register.

Regards and best wishes,
Tom

#55 raceannouncer2003

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Posted 20 August 2009 - 18:51

I crushed both heels and broke my wrist. I had all 3 limbs operated on and now I am full of titanium. I have been bedridden for 5 weeks and hope to graduate to a wheel chair in a few weeks, and to try and start walking again in a couple months.


Thanks for the update, Greg. Too bad you had to miss Monterey, too! And with all that titanium, some wiseacre has probably already told you that, like Lee Majors in the 6 Million Dollar Man, you will eventually be "...lighter, faster, stronger..." Just remember to warn them at security when you're going on a plane ! You'll set off all their alarms !

Take care, and all the best from everybody !

Vince Howlett




#56 RShaw

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Posted 21 August 2009 - 21:00

This is a picture from the USRRC race at Continental Divide Raceway near Denver, CO, 15 August 1965.
An Elva Porsche #88 leads the pack, followed by a Lola (?), followed by George Follmer #16 in the Trans Ocean Motors Lotus 23 Porsche, a car that I believe won the USRRC Championship that year. Trailing is a Lotus 30, renowned as being an updated Lotus 20 "with 10 more mistakes", if memory serves.

Posted Image
Ron Shaw Photo

#57 fbarrett

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Posted 21 August 2009 - 23:23

This is a picture from the USRRC race at Continental Divide Raceway near Denver, CO, 15 August 1965.
An Elva Porsche #88 leads the pack, followed by a Lola (?), followed by George Follmer #16 in the Trans Ocean Motors Lotus 23 Porsche, a car that I believe won the USRRC Championship that year. Trailing is a Lotus 30, renowned as being an updated Lotus 20 "with 10 more mistakes", if memory serves.

Ron Shaw Photo


Ron:

That photo brings back memories of sunny afternoons out at CDR. According to Sports Car, October 1965, Follmer was third overall and first in under-2-liter, behind Hap Sharp (Chaparral II) and Jerry Grant (Lola-Chev; I wonder if that's car 4). Follmer beat Jim Hall in another Chaparral II as well as Lothar Motschenbacher (King Cobra, 4th), Skip Scott (427 Cobra, 5th), and Augie Pabst (McLaren, DNF). Several Elvas raced, but because SCCA failed to print car numbers (grrr), I can't identify #88. It might be Mak Kronn (Elva-BMW), Jerry Titus (Elva-Porsche), W.S. Bowman (Elva-Porsche), Gary Stephenson (Elva-Porsche), or Bud Morley (Elva-BMW).

I'm no Lotus expert, but I thought the Lotus 40 was the 30 with 10 more mistakes!

Frank

Edited by fbarrett, 21 August 2009 - 23:24.


#58 RA Historian

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Posted 22 August 2009 - 00:13

The second car in line, #4, is Mike Hall in the McKee Mk IV. Augie Pabst was a dnf in this race in a Chaparral 1, not a McLaren. He did not debut that until the next race. Ron is right about the Lotus. The 20 was a Formula Junior. The 30 was a Ford V-8 sports racer. The 40 was supposedly an improved 30, but it was what, I believe, Richie Ginther called a "30 with 10 more mistakes".
Tom

Edited by RA Historian, 22 August 2009 - 00:14.


#59 fbarrett

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Posted 22 August 2009 - 00:35

The second car in line, #4, is Mike Hall in the McKee Mk IV. Augie Pabst was a dnf in this race in a Chaparral 1, not a McLaren. He did not debut that until the next race.


Tom:

Thanks for clarifying car #4; the results list Mike Hall in a McKee Spl as a DNF. Sorry, but that same issue of Sports Car has a photo on page 21 of the #7 Robert Bosch Special at this race with Augie's name (and that of "Bob Lamb"?) painted on the side, captioned, "The pretty but disappointing McLaren of Augie Pabst, out after 54 laps with overheating & (sic) other ills." Sure looks like a McLaren to me, definitely not a Chaparral.

By the way, sorry I missed meeting you at the Road America vintage races.

Frank



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#60 RShaw

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Posted 22 August 2009 - 01:33

This is a crop and enlargement of my previous photo. My tired old eye-bones seem to see "Porsche" on the side panel below the door. Plus the stinger exhaust and the bumps on the engine cover would indicate a Porsche engine. The driver appears to be wearing a balaclava or at least a kerchief over his mouth and nose. Was that not a Jerry Titus trademark?
Thanks for the right dope on the Lotus. I knew it had 10 more mistakes, but just not compared to what.
RonS.

Posted Image
Ron Shaw Photo

#61 RA Historian

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Posted 22 August 2009 - 13:21

Sorry, but that same issue of Sports Car has a photo on page 21 of the #7 Robert Bosch Special at this race with Augie's name (and that of "Bob Lamb"?) painted on the side, captioned, "The pretty but disappointing McLaren of Augie Pabst, out after 54 laps with overheating & (sic) other ills." Sure looks like a McLaren to me, definitely not a Chaparral.

Hmmm, have to do some checking. It was always my understanding that Augie first raced his new McLaren M1A at Mid Ohio the race after this. But of course I could be wrong, have been before! Martin Krecji's excellent site lists Augie as driving the Chaparral 1 in this race. Is the photo of the car in the race or in the paddock? I ask because if it is a paddock shot it could be a case of the car being there but not ready and Augie used the backup in the race. Then the reporter may have done a bit of sloppy reporting by following the entry list in his report without checking for any substitutions; has happened before!

I will have to spend some time digging out my relevant Competition Press, but honestly do not have the time this weekend. It is entirely possible that you are right, but right now I am pounding my head thinking "is it possible that I have had this wrong in the old gourd for 45 years?"

Tom

#62 RA Historian

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Posted 22 August 2009 - 20:55

This is a crop and enlargement of my previous photo. My tired old eye-bones seem to see "Porsche" on the side panel below the door. Plus the stinger exhaust and the bumps on the engine cover would indicate a Porsche engine. The driver appears to be wearing a balaclava or at least a kerchief over his mouth and nose. Was that not a Jerry Titus trademark?
Thanks for the right dope on the Lotus. I knew it had 10 more mistakes, but just not compared to what.
RonS.

Posted Image
Ron Shaw Photo

Definitely an Elva Porsche. Further, I think that you are right about it being Jerry Titus.

Tom

#63 RShaw

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Posted 23 August 2009 - 15:17

Tom:

Thanks for clarifying car #4; the results list Mike Hall in a McKee Spl as a DNF. Sorry, but that same issue of Sports Car has a photo on page 21 of the #7 Robert Bosch Special at this race with Augie's name (and that of "Bob Lamb"?) painted on the side, captioned, "The pretty but disappointing McLaren of Augie Pabst, out after 54 laps with overheating & (sic) other ills." Sure looks like a McLaren to me, definitely not a Chaparral.

By the way, sorry I missed meeting you at the Road America vintage races.

Frank


This is a picture of car no. 7, taken at Continental Divide Raceway, 15 August 1965. On the slide box I had written "7 - Augie Pabst" with no car identification, so I will let others perhaps advise whether it is a Chaparral or a McLaren, but it sure doesn't look like any Chaparral I ever saw.
RonS.

PS - After a little research, it definately appears to be a McLaren Mk 1A

Posted Image
Ron Shaw Photo

Edited by RShaw, 23 August 2009 - 15:44.


#64 RA Historian

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Posted 23 August 2009 - 22:32

This is a picture of car no. 7, taken at Continental Divide Raceway, 15 August 1965. On the slide box I had written "7 - Augie Pabst"

Looks to me that you have settled the question. Definitely his McLaren.

As I have said before, I learn something new everyday! Nice photo by the way, Ron.

Tom

Edited by RA Historian, 26 August 2009 - 18:27.


#65 RA Historian

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Posted 23 August 2009 - 22:35

. It is entirely possible that you are right, but right now I am pounding my head thinking "is it possible that I have had this wrong in the old gourd for 45 years?"

Answer to my own question:

Yep. :well:

Tom

Edited by RA Historian, 26 August 2009 - 18:25.


#66 rwills

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Posted 24 August 2009 - 18:50

Has anyone ever seen a photo of the MK II that Mike Rahal drove at the 1963 USSRC race at Daytona? I saw Bobby at last week's Monerey Historics and should have asked him about his dad's MK II. I will next time. The presence of a KAMM 1960's style rear end on my MK II makes me think it might have been added for USSRC or other big time races. Bob Engberg



Yes, this is the car I now own. It was blue when I purchased it and was burnt badly at the Goodwood Revival last year. I'm not too good on posting photos but we rebuilt it over the winter and it is now back to the same livery as raced by Mike Rahal. Many thanks to Bobby for period photos and his advice in trying to match the colours to the colours his father ran in period. If I can figure out how to post pics I will put a couple here.

Roger



#67 RA Historian

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Posted 26 August 2009 - 13:30

I will have to spend some time digging out my relevant Competition Press,

Finally got around to doing that, this being in reference to what Augie Pabst drove at Continental Divide in 1965. Well, that was no help at all, as CP did not mention Pabst in its article, nor did they list a complete results box, not showing any of the DNFs. But as I stated earlier, Ron's photo has actually answered the question. Pabst debuted his McLaren at CDR, not at Mid Ohio, one race later, as I had thought. Been trying to figure out how I could have gotten it wrong. Probably because I did not see any mention of the McLaren in any race report of the day until the Mid Ohio round, since CP gave such short shrift to the CDR report. Hence, I just assumed that Mid-O was the debut and that Augie was still driving the old Chaparral at CDR. Another lesson: never assume!
Tom

Edited by RA Historian, 26 August 2009 - 18:24.


#68 RShaw

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Posted 26 August 2009 - 21:16

Finally got around to doing that, this being in reference to what Augie Pabst drove at Continental Divide in 1965. Well, that was no help at all, as CP did not mention Pabst in its article, nor did they list a complete results box, not showing any of the DNFs. But as I stated earlier, Ron's photo has actually answered the question. Pabst debuted his McLaren at CDR, not at Mid Ohio, one race later, as I had thought. Been trying to figure out how I could have gotten it wrong. Probably because I did not see any mention of the McLaren in any race report of the day until the Mid Ohio round, since CP gave such short shrift to the CDR report. Hence, I just assumed that Mid-O was the debut and that Augie was still driving the old Chaparral at CDR. Another lesson: never assume!
Tom


I expect the only reason I noted Pabst's presence at that race was because I had been a big fan of his back in the Meister Brauser Scarab days.
A little bit of personal reminiscence - Years after his career was over, Pabst was a special guest at a vintage race in Steamboat Springs, CO, a 'round-the-condos type event held for a number of years in the 1990s. Augie was hanging around the pits, signing autographs and whatnot, so I asked him to sign my event program. I mentioned that I had watched him race many times in midwest events, and he replied something innocuous like, "Yes, those were great days", and obligingly signed my program. Later, when I looked at the program, I found he had signed it in this little, tiny, but very legible script, like you would sign a credit card slip or something. Not a bit of ego there.

#69 RA Historian

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Posted 26 August 2009 - 21:58

Do you have any other photos of CDR events, Ron? I like what you have posted, and perhaps you could start a separate CDR thread.

Were you there in 1963 when Augie returned to Meister Brauser for a one-off in the Scarab? Magnificent win in a by then obsolete car.

Tom

#70 RShaw

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Posted 27 August 2009 - 01:05

Do you have any other photos of CDR events, Ron? I like what you have posted, and perhaps you could start a separate CDR thread.

Were you there in 1963 when Augie returned to Meister Brauser for a one-off in the Scarab? Magnificent win in a by then obsolete car.

Tom


Tom,
Thank you for the kind comments. I have found about 5 boxes of CDR slides, the earliest ones being from a USRRC race in 1964, then the USRRC in '65, a national in '66, the Trans Am in '67, another national in '68, and the "F/A" race in '69. I should also have some from a USAC Indy car race won as I recall by Joe Leonard in the STP turbine car.
When I get all that digitized, I'll be happy to put up a CDR thread. All those pictures do nobody any good sitting in the boxes. If others are interested in them and can enjoy them too, I think that's great.

RonS.

#71 RA Historian

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Posted 27 August 2009 - 13:56

That would be great.

USAC ran three Indy Car races at CDR, according to Champ Car stats web site. AJ Foyt won in '68 in a Coyote, Gordon Johncock in '69 in an Eagle, and Mario Andretti in '70 in a McNamara (!). Said McNamara entered by the Granatellis, sponsored by STP, and painted its usual garish flourescent red. I think that may be what you may have mistaken for an STP Lotus gas turbine car. I do not believe that a gas turbine ever won an USAC race.

Tom

#72 RShaw

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Posted 27 August 2009 - 15:08

That would be great.

USAC ran three Indy Car races at CDR, according to Champ Car stats web site. AJ Foyt won in '68 in a Coyote, Gordon Johncock in '69 in an Eagle, and Mario Andretti in '70 in a McNamara (!). Said McNamara entered by the Granatellis, sponsored by STP, and painted its usual garish flourescent red. I think that may be what you may have mistaken for an STP Lotus gas turbine car. I do not believe that a gas turbine ever won an USAC race.

Tom


Tom,
I'm sure you are right about the whooshmobile not winning at CDR, but I know it was there. This probably was the same summer the car dominated at Indy, only to lose because of a $5 bearing or some such. Maybe USAC banned the car before it could run again, and Granatelli had it there just for demo runs or something. Thinking about it for a few minutes, the liklihood that the turbine would be competitive on a road course is not very high.
That said, the memory plays tricks, so if I can come up with some proof, I assure you I will post it.
RonS.

Edited by RShaw, 27 August 2009 - 15:15.


#73 RA Historian

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Posted 27 August 2009 - 20:34

Ron, you certainly did see turbines run at CDR. In 1968 Art Pollard was fifth and Joe Leonard eighth in STP Lotus 56s. The next year, 1969, Pollard was a dnf in a Lotus 56, but powered by a Plymouth pushrod V-8, not a turbine.

Tom

Edited by RA Historian, 27 August 2009 - 20:34.


#74 ElvaMK2

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Posted 27 August 2009 - 23:03



Anyone else want to chime in with anything? Who owned the rest of the original cars? Where are they now?
[/quote]

Bob Youngdahl of Minnesota has his Elva-Porsch MK 7S at Monterey last week. Kurt Del Bene has a MK 8 that I believe is Porsche powered and he was present too.

#75 RA Historian

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Posted 27 August 2009 - 23:32

Anyone else want to chime in with anything? Who owned the rest of the original cars? Where are they now?


Bob Youngdahl of Minnesota has his Elva-Porsch MK 7S at Monterey last week. Kurt Del Bene has a MK 8 that I believe is Porsche powered and he was present too.

Good idea. This is supposed to be about Elva Porsches, after all. I do not believe off hand that the works made a Mk 8 Elva Porsche, only those based on the Mk 7. But I could be wrong.

Any additions or corrections to this list previously posted by Gregory Campbell showing the ownership?

BTW the numbers I listed earlier are serial numbers (not racing numbers) and they should all actually have read: 70P/0##.
Here is an updated list of serial numbers, original colour and original owners. If anyone has contradictions or additions please let me know.

70P/024 yellow, ?
70/025 yellow, Ollie Schmidt, prototype, Road America winner, now in Hamburg Museum
70P/030 white, Ollie Schmidt
70P/031 green, ?
70P/032 yellow, Ollie Schmidt, single hump rear bodywork, may have originally had vertical fan motor,
70P/033 silver, Wesler/Wuestoff
70P/035 red, ?
70P/038 silver, Porsche, raced in Europe in 1964, 8 cyl motor, currently vintage raced with flat 6 motor
70P/039 silver, Joe Buzzetta
70P/040 silver, Lee Hall, currently owned by Bobby Rahal
70P/044 silver, Sepp Greger, raced in Europe in 1964, left hand drive
70P/045 white/blue, ?
70P/048 red, ?
70P/050 silver, ?
70P/054 silver, ?
70P/057 yellow, Ollie Schmidt, 2 liter motor, duck tail and brake scoops
70P/068 red, ?
70P/069 silver, ?, currently in Collier Museum


Tom

#76 fbarrett

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Posted 27 August 2009 - 23:38

Augie was hanging around the pits, signing autographs and whatnot, so I asked him to sign my event program. I mentioned that I had watched him race many times in midwest events, and he replied something innocuous like, "Yes, those were great days", and obligingly signed my program. Later, when I looked at the program, I found he had signed it in this little, tiny, but very legible script, like you would sign a credit card slip or something. Not a bit of ego there.


Ron:

Augie frequently comes on the Colorado Grand in his SS100 or 300SL, and he's practically ageless. What you say is absolutely true. He'll chat with anyone, and a nicer guy I've never met!

Frank

#77 fbarrett

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Posted 27 August 2009 - 23:48

Tom:

My Elva Porsche list starts with 70P/021: owned 2008 by Dr. Bob Rothbard, Winter Park, FL. It's un-documented in 4-cam Elva lists, perhaps because it had a 911 engine. Reportedly sent to Haas less engine and gearbox in '63. First fitted with a 911 2.0 in '65 and evidently still has that engine. Hewland gearbox converted from 4-speed to 5-speed. Currently all instruments, etc. are American. Nice looking but not period-correct. Previous non-user owners include Larry Chmura (Idaho, no memories other than owning it), Bill Jackson, Denver (I saw it in his garage; don't think it ever ran), and Myron Vernis, Ohio.

Maybe it's not on the usual lists because it had a 911 engine...

Frank

Edited by fbarrett, 28 August 2009 - 00:01.


#78 Gregory Campbell

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Posted 28 August 2009 - 16:24

I believe the Elva Porsche pictured at CDR is 70P/044 and was owned by Vasek Polack. This was the only left hand drive Elva Porsche.

The Elva Porsche now owned by Bob Youngdahl was originally owned by the Porsche Factory. It was raced in the European Hillclimb championship with a 4 cam, 8 cylinder, flat fan motor. It now has a 6 cylinder 911 motor.

Kurt Delbene's Elva MkVIII is BMW pownered.

The Elva Factory records say 70/021 (there is no "P" because it did not have the Porsche modifications) was shipped with no engine and no gearbox. The records also state that it had a chassis built for a Coventry Climax motor. There is one car 70/025 which is considered a Elva Porsche which does not have a "P" in the serial number. This is because it was modified by the Elva factory, when it was still brand new, to Porsche specifications.

It is thought that several non-Porsche Elva MKVII's were modified to accept Porsche motors. Two cars which I am aware of were done by Ernie Erickson in the Chicago area and Dawie Gous in South Africa.

Thanks everyone for your help in my gathering of this history.

Gregory Campbell


#79 RShaw

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Posted 28 August 2009 - 17:14

Ron, you certainly did see turbines run at CDR. In 1968 Art Pollard was fifth and Joe Leonard eighth in STP Lotus 56s. The next year, 1969, Pollard was a dnf in a Lotus 56, but powered by a Plymouth pushrod V-8, not a turbine.

Tom


Tom,
Much obliged for corroborating that the STP turbines did run at CDR. You have saved me the trouble of looking through old Denver Post microfilm at the library ... at least on this topic.
RonS.

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#80 Gregory Campbell

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Posted 28 August 2009 - 21:09

Here is my updated registry. Some entries are not corroborated so any changes or contradictions appreciated.

CHASSIS #ORIGINAL COLORORIGINAL OWNERNOTESCURRENT LOCATION/OWNERINTERIM OWNERS (in chronological order)70P/024yellowOllie Schmidtprototype, originally had vertical fan70/025 yellowOllie Schmidtprototype, Road America winnerHamburg MuseumJames Scott/ SKE Ltd., Bell, Knebel70P/030whiteOllie SchmidtBrad HookStoddard, Morgan70P/031greenJoe MondayCharvat70P/032yellowcurrently has single hump rear bodyworkJulio PalmazGallogly, Wiener70P/033silverWeschler/WuestoffKimberly70P/035redOpert70P/038silverPorscheraced in Europe in 1964, 8 cyl motor, currently vintage raced with flat 6 motorBob YoungdahlPacheco, Templeman, Pery70P/039silverJoe Buzzetta70P/040silverLee HallBobby RahalRahal, wise, Flanders, Delong, Ferran70P/044silverSepp GregerLHDPolack, Matsuda70P/045white/blueunknown but at auction recentlyPhillips, Stewart, East West Motors, Menke, Wellington, Eads, Siegel, Becherer, Howell, McCaw70P/047yellow70P/048redRalph WoodBill PerroneEichelberger, Scrogan, Derich70P/050silver70P/054silverPaulsey70P/057yellow2 liter motor, duck tail and brake scoopsGregory CampbellJann, Mendini, Esckuche, Zeitz, Morse, Wang70P/068red70P/069silverCollier MuseumMartin, Marsh, Pendergast?Lasse Jonsson?D'Ieteren Museum?Bob Betts?George Wintersteen?Lothar Motshenbacher?Skip Scott?James Johnston70/021"non-Porsche" Elva MkVII, modified to accept Porsche 911 powerBob RothbardVernis, Chmura, Jackson,?Ernie Erickson"non-Porsche" Elva MkVII, modified to accept Porsche 4 cam flat fan power?Dawie Gous/Luki Botha"non-Porsche" Elva MkVII, modified to accept Porsche 4 cam vertical fan power

#81 Gregory Campbell

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Posted 29 August 2009 - 20:14

Here is my updated registry. Some entries are not corroborated so any changes or contradictions appreciated.

CHASSIS #ORIGINAL COLORORIGINAL OWNERNOTESCURRENT LOCATION/OWNERINTERIM OWNERS (in chronological order)70P/024yellowOllie Schmidtprototype, originally had vertical fan[/size]70/025 yellowOllie Schmidtprototype, Road America winnerHamburg MuseumJames Scott/ SKE Ltd., Bell, Knebel70P/030whiteOllie SchmidtBrad HookStoddard, Morgan70P/031greenJoe MondayCharvat70P/032yellowcurrently has single hump rear bodyworkJulio PalmazGallogly, Wiener70P/033silverWeschler/WuestoffKimberly70P/035redOpert70P/038silverPorscheraced in Europe in 1964, 8 cyl motor, currently vintage raced with flat 6 motorBob YoungdahlPacheco, Templeman, Pery70P/039silverJoe Buzzetta70P/040silverLee HallBobby RahalRahal, wise, Flanders, Delong, Ferran70P/044silverSepp GregerLHDPolack, Matsuda70P/045white/blueunknown but at auction recentlyPhillips, Stewart, East West Motors, Menke, Wellington, Eads, Siegel, Becherer, Howell, McCaw70P/047yellow70P/048redRalph WoodBill PerroneEichelberger, Scrogan, Derich70P/050silver70P/054silverPaulsey70P/057yellow2 liter motor, duck tail and brake scoopsGregory CampbellJann, Mendini, Esckuche, Zeitz, Morse, Wang70P/068red70P/069silverCollier MuseumMartin, Marsh, Pendergast?[/color]Lasse Jonsson?D'Ieteren Museum?Bob Betts?George Wintersteen?Lothar Motshenbacher?Skip Scott?James Johnston70/021"non-Porsche" Elva MkVII, modified to accept Porsche 911 powerBob RothbardVernis, Chmura, Jackson,?Ernie Erickson"non-Porsche" Elva MkVII, modified to accept Porsche 4 cam flat fan power?[color="#333333"]Dawie Gous/Luki Botha"non-Porsche" Elva MkVII, modified to accept Porsche 4 cam vertical fan power[size="1"]

oops, sorry for above. Here is a legible version.

Posted Image

#82 Greg Scott

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Posted 21 October 2009 - 08:45



I thought I would share my Elva-Porsche with you all.

I was stationed at the Naval Base in Newport R. I. in 1966. There was a foriegn car dealership right outside the base owned by Dave Fenton. I was bitten by the sports car racing bug at the time and offered to help Dave with his race cars.

Shortly after I got there, he purchased an Elva-Porsche from a race car dealership in Jersey, just across the river from NYC...I do not remember the name but they dealt in English formula and sports racing cars.

We raced the car in SCCA NE regionals and nationals at Lime Rock, Thompson and Bryar NH.

I was a little over my head at the time, trying to maintain a sports racing car and a Porsche 4 cam motor with no manuals whatsoever. I tried to do no harm mostly and luckily the car was pretty straightforward and thankfully, the 4 cam motor was dead reliable.

The motor was the roller bearing 1700, which was a little underpowered in the under 2 liter class of the USRRC, where we thought we might like to run the east coast races. George Folmer won the USRRC one year...I don't remember exactly which...using the 2 liter 904 plain bearing 4 cam 4 cyl motor. The drawback with the 904 motor was that it had a lower rev limit than the roller bearing motors...around 7200 rpm, while the smaller roller bearing motors seemed to be very happy turning over 8000 in sprint races.

I don't know who had done it, but the car came with a spare 1700cc roller crank motor that someone on the west coast had bored out to 1900cc by using piston blanks from the Ford 4 cam Indy motor. The whole job was very well done. The Ford pistons were forged and considerably lighter than the cast Mahle pistons in the 1700 motor so revving this motor above 8000 was not a problem. I later did a lot of similar swaps when I worked in a racing engine swap but at the time it was a revelation. I never quite understood why Porsche used the cast Mahle pistons and gained a whole lot of respect for west coast hot rodders.

I would be curious if anyone knows more about where that car came from before Dave bought it...and where it went afterwards...I lost touch with Dave. Also, if anyone knows who did the hot rodding on the 1700 motor.

Greg

The increase in displacement with the higher revs got us competitive times at the NE tracks. I seem to remember doing 1:02's at Lime Rock which was right in the hunt back then in under 2 liter sports modified with the state of the art in tire tecnology in '66.


#83 RA Historian

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Posted 21 October 2009 - 12:36

Greg,

First of all, any relation to the Jim Scott of Scott/Kronn, etc.?

Do you know anything further about your car, if it is not the one that Greg Campbell lists as being the 63 RA 500 winner that passed through Scott/Kronn's hands? If it is not this one, it is a mystery.

Any ideas Mr. Campbell?

Tom

#84 raceannouncer2003

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Posted 21 October 2009 - 19:04

Shortly after I got there, he purchased an Elva-Porsche from a race car dealership in Jersey, just across the river from NYC...I do not remember the name but they dealt in English formula and sports racing cars.


...Fred Opert Racing? Here is a link:

http://www.fredopert....com/index2.htm

Also, note to Greg Campbell...how are you doing now? Walking yet?

And have you guys seen this link?

http://www.wsrp.ic.c...assis_elva.html

Vince H.

#85 racer4life

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Posted 09 December 2009 - 02:36

I previously owned the factory hillclimb car that was fitted with the flat eigne 2.0 ltr Porsche motor. The car was driven originally by Lang. I sold it to Pery who was a Belgian collector. I still have the original steering wheel to the car and the chassis plate. I have tons of information on the MkVII's, will post in the future. Ed Templeman.

#86 Greg Scott

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Posted 09 December 2009 - 05:28

...Fred Opert Racing? Here is a link:

http://www.fredopert....com/index2.htm

Also, note to Greg Campbell...how are you doing now? Walking yet?

And have you guys seen this link?

http://www.wsrp.ic.c...assis_elva.html

Vince H.


Thanks Vince..

It was Fred Opert Racing...looks a lot different now though...he was pretty purist about the formula cars in those days.

Tom

No relation to Jim Scott that I know of...

The car was silver when we got it but was painted red after we got an Amalie Oil sponsorship. I found a picture of it on a website once, painted red as the Amalie Oil Special but I haven't been able to locate it again.

I'd love to know who did the engine hop up work with the Ford Indy Engine piston blanks. I thought it was an elegant idea... using the higher rpm roller crank with the lighter pistons to get a competitive engine in under 2 liter. I presume the cylinder barrels came from the 904 2 liter plain bearing engine, which I think were cast iron, because the barrels of the 1700 roller engines were alloy, coated with what looked like chrome with little pits to retain oil. The coating was called I think, "Nikasil". I never did this before but the internet is wonderful. The bore of the 1965 Ford DOHC Indy engine is 96.5mm and the stroke of the roller bearing 718 engine is 66mm which gives a displacement of 1,908cc which is just about what I was led to believe. Makes a really nicely oversquare motor...much more than the 904's 92mm bore and 74 mm stroke...a nice revver. Not sure about the 904 cylinders...92mm to 96.5mm is a .180 in. overbore. That's a lot...

It all got a little depressing one weekend when we were at Bryar NH and Skip Barber showed up with his brand new Brabham BT-8. I had a full 2 liter Coventry Climax engine...I've never seen so many chrome plated Acorn Nuts on one motor before or since. He promptly smoked our butts...just a more modern race car.
Skip's mechanic had an english accent and that "I'm just here slumming" attitude. I knew we were in trouble.

Interesting aside...Mark Donohue was there that day and he stepped into someone's brand new Shelby race GT and knocked a second and a half off their best time. The person was a respected Nationals racer. Can't remember the name.

Greg

#87 raceannouncer2003

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Posted 24 May 2010 - 04:27

Yes, I am recovering from a horrific racing accident with my Devin Porsche. Here is a photo of it prior to the accident.

Posted Image

The front wheel bearing failed catastrophically which resulted in the bearing pieces machining the inside of the brake drum where the bearing races seat, and the front wheel came off. I then had no front brakes, very little steering, rear brakes which were fading badly already. I tried to spin the car but only managed to turn 90 degrees and crashed head on into a concrete wall.

I crushed both heels and broke my wrist. I had all 3 limbs operated on and now I am full of titanium. I have been bedridden for 5 weeks and hope to graduate to a wheel chair in a few weeks, and to try and start walking again in a couple months.

The car will live again. I have a mold for the fiberglass body so that will be relatively easy. I will need to find the front end of a 356 Pre-A chassis to splice on.


This from Jim Latham, president of the Vintage Racing Club of BC, regarding the Spring Sprints last weekend at Pacific Raceways, Kent, Washington: "...And the best news of all was the Campbell's were there with the Elva Porsche (now yellow) and the 356 and their new tow vehicle (you should see this rig!) Anyway I had a chance to sit and chat with them for a while a couple of times. Greg has to sit down a lot but he is racing..."

and from Gregory Campbell himself: "...Yes it was good to get racing again and to get rid of any lingering fears. My ankles are still quite sore and weak. I was worried about the stiff clutch in the Elva but I seemed to manage ok. It helped that it has a Hewland which doesn't need the clutch for upshifts. I think the adrenalin from racing also helped alot. We are still getting the Elva tuned and sorted after restoring it this winter. Unfortunately we broke a bolt in the valve gear which ended our weekend a little prematurely. We are planning to be at the Seattle Historics in July..."

Vince H.


#88 john ruston

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Posted 24 May 2010 - 07:07

The Knabel familey have had one in Segan for years.No idea of number.

#89 Lola FJ

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Posted 28 September 2010 - 17:42

Hi Greg,

I'm wondering whether the Elva Porsche that you refer to is the same car that we have just purchased. The car has come with some research that suggests it was Dave Fenton's car. The bodywork appears to be original and the original paintwork was silver (although quite a few of the Elva Porsches were). On top of the silver there is red paint (almost like a red oxide colour, rather than a really bright red) and then the final colour scheme is metallic blue with a white stripe. Does that sound right for "your Elva"? I don't suppose you remember the chassis number?

If it is the same car, I can shed a bit of light on subsequent owners, but know little of its early history.

Regards

Richard

#90 Lukas

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Posted 25 March 2014 - 11:30

oops, sorry for above. Here is a legible version.

elvadata.jpg

The Elva Mk VII that was brought into South Africa by Dawie Gouws and Luki Botha was found and restored by Clive Winterstein, he has done a couple of races in the Historic Single Seaters.

 

Here is a blog on the history of the car: http://suzettebouwer.../an-elva-story/

 

And a picture of the beauty back on the track: http://www.historicr...ge.php?pid=1718

 

It is a very important part of history, not only for Elva but for me and my family. The racing stories of the Elva told by my dad were allways filled with pride and excitement, he allways told me that the Elva was the most beautifull car he ever raced.


Edited by Lukas, 25 March 2014 - 11:32.