Elva Courier Forum

Many greetings from Pueblo West, Colorado. I was the proud owner of a 1960 Courier and campaigned in SCCA E Production way back in the day against the likes of Dave Gott and more than few others at Pomona, Santa Barbara and Riverside. Alas, old age and a few infirmities required the parting of my she-goes and I regret the day she left even to now. Thank you all for listening to an old man and I wish you all well in your efforts to keep the brand alive. Slainte!

Welcome to the Elva forum Clarke.

Do you know where the car went, or perhaps the chassis VIN?

Gary, the registry guy

Good afternoon, Gary.
The (very) old photo of the plate reads (I think) 100092 but the pix is quite faded and would not transfer for email.
My Courier Mk II had the original 1622 cc engine with after-market dual side draft webers (45 DCOE ?). I campaigned the car for not quite four years in SCCA E Production. Never placed higher than 4th (Riverside 196?) but was usually 6-8th as I was on tight budget and didn't have a lot of $$ for replacement parts (mostly tires but one engine). I used to tourque other racers' jaws because I drove my entry direct to each tech inspection with a muffler duct-taped to the side of my car and raced with the car license plate still attached.
I had it repainted from the original red to BRG with a white left side stripe numbered '9'. The only photo is exceptionally poor and shows my critter at speed going around turn 4 at Santa Barbara in 1963. DNF'ed if I remember correctly after tangling with a hay bale.
I had a great time driving but was never that competitive. Might have been a menace on the track as I was having fun while most of my contemporaries were out to win at all costs. There were only two of us running Production Elvas back then on the West Coast - myself and Dave Gott who had a 59 and was far more serious than I. I remember loaning him an SU carb from my spare parts locker so he could run at Pomona. The only time I ever beat him to the flag and I never let him forget that.
Many, many memories. Thanks for helping bring it back.

Wow,

I haven't heard Dave Gott's name in many decades. I crewed for him at Santa Barbara once. I my still have the pictures of the from page of the LA Times Sports Section showing his crash at Riverside when he was hit by a Corvette.

Dave helped me swap my MG-A engine to a Hollywood Sport Cars (?) MG-B engine so I could compete in Cal Club SCCA C-production in 1966. Alas, I had to sell my Courier (I believe the chassis # was 100101) to pay for college after getting my novice permit. The only downside of the 1800 cc engine was that it regularly broke rear half-shafts. I swapped the rear axle setup for a MG Magnette (same as a MG-B, I think) rear axle which solved the problem. The work was done at the Holman-Moody-Stroppe shop on Temple Ave. in Long Beach, CA. While it was being done, next to it was the Andretti red GT-40, Mk IV which I got to sit in (alas, no photos). While my career was short (due to the need for $$ to go to graduate school and what turned out to be a lack of talent), I did get to drive the Courier at Riverside in 1966. I now live in Carlsbad, CA and drive a 997.2. If anybody knows of where chassis # 100101 ended up, I'd love to see it again.

Bob Fagaly

Bob,
Contact Gary Cossaboon the Courier registrar. The last time I saw the registry 100/101/L was listed in PA.

Bill is right on. PA as last reported.

Good memories with Couriers Bob.

Good to hear from someone who ran against Dave Gott. I owned 100/10/L and crewed for Dave in 1966.

Good to hear from someone who ran against Dave Gott. I owned 100/101/L and crewed for Dave in 1966.