Elfin Sports Cars
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive manufacturing |
| Founded | 1959 |
| Founder | Garrie Cooper |
| Headquarters | Keysborough, Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Nick Kovatch (technical director) |
| Products | Sports and racing cars |
| Owner | Young Timers Garage (since May 2023) |
Elfin Sports Cars Pty Ltd is an Australian automotive manufacturer established in 1959 by Garrie Cooper, specializing in the creation of sports and racing vehicles. As the longest-standing sports car producer in Australia, Elfin boasts 29 championship titles alongside significant Grand Prix triumphs. Initially operating out of Edwardstown, South Australia, the company has since moved its headquarters to Keysborough, Melbourne.
In May 2023, Young Timers Garage (YTG) acquired Elfin from the Walkinshaw Group. Prior to this, ownership was held by Bill Hemming and Nick Kovatch—who continues to serve as technical director—since 1998.
History
Originating in South Australia under Garrie Cooper’s leadership, Elfin grew prominent through Cooper’s combined expertise as both a racing driver and vehicle designer. After his passing in 1982, control transferred to Don Elliott, Tony Edmondson, and John Porter, who concentrated on supplying parts and maintenance services.
Murray Richards took over Elfin in 1993, during which time he introduced the Type 3 Clubman model. The company changed hands again in 1998 when Hemming and Kovatch purchased it and shifted operations to Melbourne. A collaboration with GM Holden led to the debut of the MS8 Streamliner concept in 2004, followed by limited production starting in 2006. Later that year, Tom Walkinshaw acquired Elfin, distributing its cars through HSV dealerships across Australia.
Production halted after March 2012 following Walkinshaw’s death in 2010. The brand remained inactive for nearly ten years until YTG’s acquisition in 2023 aimed at revitalizing Elfin.
The Elfin Heritage Centre located in Melbourne preserves the company’s history by displaying both vintage and contemporary models, including Garrie Cooper’s inaugural and final race cars.
Racing
Elfin racers have achieved an impressive record with 29 championship wins and notable race victories such as:
Championship Titles Australian Sports Car Championship
- 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975
Australian Formula Ford Series
- 1970, 1971, 1974, 1982
Australian Drivers' Championship
- 1973, 1975
- 1979
Race Wins Australian Tourist Trophy
- 1966, 1976, 1978
- 1968
- 1968, 1969, 1972
- 1973, 1974
Rose City 10000
- 1978
Among the distinguished drivers who piloted Elfins are James Hunt, the winner of the F1 World Championship in 1976; French F1 competitor Didier Pironi; along with Australian F1 racers Vern Schuppan and Larry Perkins. Other notable figures include John Bowe, Frank Matich, Kevin Bartlett, Bob Jane, and Allan Grice.
Recent models
In 2006, Elfin introduced two V8-powered sports cars: the MS8 Streamliner and the MS8 Clubman. Two years later, they expanded their lineup with the T5 Clubman featuring a turbocharged four-cylinder engine aimed at a broader market.
The MS8 variants are equipped with standard GM Holden-sourced Gen III V8 engines of 5.7 litres displacement from the VZ-series Commodore. Meanwhile, the T5 Clubman utilizes engines derived from Pontiac designs supplied by GM Powertrain in the United States.
Delivering approximately 255kW of power, these MS8 vehicles provide substantial performance for their dimensions but have received feedback regarding demanding handling characteristics. Some reviewers felt their driving experience did not fully align with Elfin’s esteemed motorsport heritage.
By March 2012, production of Elfin automobiles had been suspended with customer inquiries redirected to Walkinshaw Performance.
Historic vehicles – Garrie Cooper period
During its initial 25 years, the company manufactured a total of 248 racing and sports cars, spanning 27 distinct models.
GE Two-25 || 1 || 1980 only || Australian Formula 2 competition car || |- MR9 || 1 ||1980 only ||Australian Formula 1 (F5000) open-wheel racer; first Australian design featuring full ground effect aerodynamics || |- ! Total !248 ! colspan=3 || Model | Total | Production | Description | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Streamliner | 23 | 1959–1963 | Front-engine sports racing vehicle | |
| Formula Junior & Catalina | 20 | 1961–1964 | Primarily Formula Junior and smaller capacity racing cars | |
| Clubman | 14 | 1961–1965 | Sports car designed for club racing | |
| Mallala | 5 | 1962–1964 | Sports racing automobile | |
| Type 100 Mono | 19 | 1964–1969 | Australian Formula for 1½ Litre racing cars | |
| Type 500 | 21 | 1965–1969 | Formula Vee racing vehicle | |
| Type 400 | 4 | 1966–1967 | Group A sports racer powered by V8 engine | |
| Type 300 | 6 | 1967–1969 | Sports racing car model | |
| 600/B/C/D/E | 27 | 1968–1971 | Racing cars built for multiple formulas | |
| 600 FF | 17 | 1969–1972 | Formula Ford race car model | |
| Type 350 | 1 | Produced only in 1969 | Sports racing vehicle | |
| ME5 | 1 | Manufactured in 1969 only | Group A sports racer with V8 engine | |
| Type 360 | 3 | Exclusive to 1971 | Sports racing car | |
| MR5 | 4 | 1971–1972 | Australian Formula 1 (F5000) race car; Elfin's first F5000 design and build | |
| 620FF / 620B | 20 | 1972–1975 | Formula Ford race cars | |
| 622 | 6 | 1972–1974 | Australian Formula 2 competition cars | |
| 623 | 8 | 1973–1974 | Australian Formula 3 race cars | |
| MR6 | 1 | Produced solely in 1974 | Australian Formula 1 (F5000) race vehicle | |
| MS7 | 1 | Only in production during 1974 | Sports racer powered by V8 engine | |
| 630 | 2 | Manufactured between 1974 and 1975 | Australian Formula 2 race cars | |
| 700 | 7 | Produced from 1975 to 1977 | Australian Formula 2 competition vehicles | |
| MR8 | 3 | Built between 1976 and 1978 | Australian Formula 1 (F5000) race cars | |
| New Generation "NG" | 29 | Produced from 1976 through to 1983 | Formula Vee racing models | |
| 792 | 3 | Manufactured exclusively in 1979 | Australian Formula 2 racing vehicles | |
| Aero FF | 1 | Produced only in the year of 1979 | Formula Ford race car |
Historic vehicles – The era following Garrie Cooper
| Model | Total | Production | Overview | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FF84 | 1 | 1984 | Racing car designed for Formula Ford competition. | |
| NG "EP" | 8 | 1984–1986 | NG Series Formula Vee race cars manufactured by Edmondson-Porter. | |
| Crusader | 20 | Around 1990 | Formula Vee racing vehicle. | |
| 852 | 1 | 1985 | Competed in Australian Formula 2, piloted by Mark Mclaughlin. | |
| FA891 | 1 | 1989 | Formula Holden entry for the 1989 Australian Drivers' Championship fielded by Elfin and driven by Mark Mclaughlin, who secured victory in the opening race at Mallala. Despite initial achievements, the model was overshadowed by British imports from manufacturers such as Lola Cars, Ralt, and Reynard Motorsport. The "FA" in FA891 denotes the original series name, Formula Australia. | |
| Type 3 Clubman | 70 | 1998–2007 | Clubman-style sports car equipped with a supercharged Toyota 4AG ZE engine. |