Elfin Sports Cars Pty Ltd is the current name of the car company which was founded by Garrie Cooper. It has been an Australian manufacturer of sports cars and motor racing cars since 1957. Elfin Sports Cars is owned by British Racing Legend Tom Walkinshaw through his company Walkinshaw Performance which also owns Holden Special Vehicles. It was previously owned by businessmen and historic racing enthusiasts Bill Hemming and Nick Kovatch (who remains as technical director) who purchased it in 1998.
Power from the 5.7-litre Gen III V8 is expected to be boosted to at least 350kW at 5600rpm, with peak torque of about 660Nm at 4400rpm. The V8 Elfin is already classed as one of the fastest accelerating road cars in the world, the special show car will have the capacity of reaching 100kmh in the 3 second bracket, and shares the same power to weight ratio as a V8 Supercar. The first priority has been to establish Elfin’s first national dealer network, which had been achieved. The second priority was to develop exports, which was well underway. Elfin will have its own stand at this year’s Melbourne International Motor Show. The centre of attention will be the supercharged 50th Anniversary Elfin MS8 Streamliner, two of which have already been ordered by enthusiastic customers.
The current manufacturer location is at Braeside, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. Elfin is the oldest continuous sports car maker in Australia and one of the most successful with 29 championships and major Grand Prix titles. The previous factory was located at Conmurra Avenue, Edwardstown in suburban Adelaide, South Australia.
It was founded by Garrie Cooper (Adelaide 1935-25 April 1982), a successful championship driver and designer and builder of racing and sports/racing cars as Elfin Sports Car Company. There is a heritage centre dedicated to Elfin Sports Cars in Melbourne, Australia. The centre features around 12 vehicles on display.
Elfin won 29 championships and major titles including two Australian Driver's Championships, four Australian Sports Car Championships, three Australian Tourist Trophies and four Formula Ford titles, the Singapore Grand Prix (1968) and twice won the Malaysian Grand Prix. Drivers of Elfin cars included World Formula One Champion James Hunt and French Formula One driver, Didier Pironi. Others were Vern Schuppan, Larry Perkins, John Bowe, Frank Matich, Bob Jane, John Harvey, Allan Grice and Peter Manton.
The 50th Anniversary Elfin MS8 Streamliner will retail for approximately $128,500, plus on-road costs. Supercharging is about $12,000 extra, depending on the level of mechanical enhancement required. Road going Elfin Sports Cars can now be ordered through a new group of Elfin dealers in all states and New Zealand.
Elfin is currently producing two Chevrolet V8 powered sports cars: the MS8 Streamliner and the MS8 Clubman. 250 racing and sports/racing cars in 27 different models were produced in 25-years, including sports and open-wheeler racing cars, such as the 1959 Streamliner, to Formula Vees through to 'big banger' sports cars and the MR9 Formula 5000 of the 1980's. Elfin Clubman - designed 1961 - 14 vehicles were manufactured.
The new removable hardtop is also now optional for Streamliner models, providing winter driving comfort and greater security. It will also greatly enhance the efficiency of the air conditioning in the Streamliner. The scoop and the hard top design are based on theme sketches by ex Holden Design Director Mike Simcoe, from when he penned the original design for the Elfin MS8 models. The 50th Anniversary Elfin MS8 will have contrasting premium burgundy trim with monogrammed headrests, and polished alloy wheels.
A new generation Elfin Clubman Type 3 sports car was launched in 1998 with 50 produced, in 'turn key' form or as rolling chassis kits. An Elfin car features in Project Gotham Racing 3, an arcade-style racing game that was released with the launch of the Xbox 360 on November 22, 2005.
Australia's legendary sports car maker, Elfin, has kicked off its golden anniversary celebrations this year by unveiling a limited-edition model – including a one-off supercharged bitumen burner for the track – at the 2007 Melbourne International Motor Show. Elfin Sports Cars will build just five of the 50th Anniversary collector’s cars, each equipped with special features and painted in a unique colour called ‘Cooper Gold’ – named in honour of Australian racing driver Garrie Cooper who laid the foundations for Elfin back in 1957. One of the specially handcrafted 50th Anniversary Streamliners will be equipped with an optional supercharger fitted by Elfin’s new sister company, Walkinshaw Performance, lifting the already scintillating performance to new levels.
