1956 Elva Mk1/B Sports Racer
- Engine
- 1.1L inline-four Coventry Climax FWA, with twin Weber 40DCOE carburettors on Derrington inlet manifold
A 1956 Elva Mk1/B sports racer, chassis 100/B/25, believed to be among the final examples of an estimated 14 produced, retaining its original 1,098cc Coventry Climax FWA engine. Delivered new to Bill Tannhauser in Milwaukee, the car saw extensive circuit use at venues across the American Midwest before returning to Europe in 2003 under the ownership of renowned Italian automotive historian and ASI figure Maurizio Tabucchi, who carried out a thorough restoration to original specification. It holds an ASI Gold Certificate acknowledging its outstanding originality.
Ownership
- 2018-10-05Auction saleSold €125,000 (≈ $138K)
- 1956 →Factory deliveryBill Tannhauserpartial documentation
First owner; took delivery in Milwaukee, USA shortly after the car was completed. The vehicle was raced extensively at various American circuits during this period.
- → 2003Various American enthusiastspartial documentation
A succession of owners who campaigned the car at tracks including Elkhart Lake, Blackhawk, and Road America; detailed ownership records are reportedly available.
- 2003 →Private saleMaurizio Tabucchifull documentation
Noted automotive historian and former ASI Vice President who had the car shipped to Europe and carried out a thorough mechanical and body restoration aimed at preserving original specification. Ownership ended upon his death.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Acquired the car following Tabucchi's passing; now consigning it to auction.
Competition
- —SCCAElkhart Lake circuit races
Car raced at this American venue by one or more of the intermediate US owners prior to 2003.
- —Blackhawk circuit races
Competed at Blackhawk during its years in American ownership.
- —Road America races
Among the US venues at which the car was campaigned by successive American owners.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2003Restoration
Full restoration of both mechanical components and bodywork carried out by Maurizio Tabucchi, with close attention paid to preserving the car's original specification throughout.
Work was undertaken after Tabucchi acquired the car and shipped it to Europe; the result was subsequently certified by ASI with a Gold Certificate for originality.
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