Elfin T5 Clubman
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1959 |
| Founder | Garrie Cooper |
| Headquarters | Keysborough, Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Nick Kovatch (Technical Director) |
| Products | Sports cars, racing cars |
| Owner | Young Timers Garage (since 2023) |
Elfin Sports Cars Pty Ltd is an Australian manufacturer of automobiles established in 1959 by Garrie Cooper. Renowned for its focus on sports and racing vehicles, Elfin holds the distinction of being Australia's longest-standing sports car producer, boasting 29 championship titles and significant Grand Prix achievements. Initially operating out of Edwardstown, South Australia, the company has since relocated to Keysborough in Melbourne.
In May 2023, Young Timers Garage (YTG) acquired Elfin from the Walkinshaw Group. Prior ownership included Bill Hemming and Nick Kovatch, who took over in 1998; Kovatch continues to serve as technical director.
History
Elfin was founded in South Australia by Garrie Cooper, a celebrated driver and automotive designer, gaining recognition through its motorsport triumphs. Following Cooper’s passing in 1982, control transferred to Don Elliott, Tony Edmondson, and John Porter, who sustained the company’s parts and servicing operations.
The company changed hands in 1993 when Murray Richards purchased Elfin and developed the Type 3 Clubman model. In 1998, Hemming and Kovatch acquired the firm, moved its base to Melbourne, and initiated a partnership with GM Holden. The MS8 Streamliner concept was unveiled at the 2004 Melbourne International Motor Show, with limited production commencing in 2006. Later that year, Tom Walkinshaw took ownership, and Elfin vehicles were retailed through select HSV dealerships across Australia.
After Walkinshaw’s death in 2010, production halted following March 2012. Since YTG’s acquisition in 2023, efforts have been made to reinstate the brand after a decade-long pause.
The Elfin Heritage Centre located in Melbourne exhibits significant cars including Garrie Cooper’s inaugural and final race vehicles and remains accessible to visitors.
Racing
Elfin competitors have achieved 29 championship victories and notable race wins such as:
Championships 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 distinguished Elfin drivers are James Hunt, the winner of the 1976 Formula One World Championship; French F1 competitor Didier Pironi; as well as Australian Formula One racers Vern Schuppan and Larry Perkins. Other notable figures include John Bowe, Frank Matich, Kevin Bartlett, and Allan Grice.
Recent models
In 2006, Elfin introduced two V8-powered sports cars: the MS8 Streamliner and the MS8 Clubman. A more affordable option arrived in 2008 with the turbocharged four-cylinder T5 Clubman.
The MS8 variants were equipped with standard GM Holden-sourced Gen III V8 engines of 5.7 litres from their VZ-series Commodore lineup. Meanwhile, the T5 Clubman utilized Pontiac-based powerplants supplied by GM Powertrain (USA).
Delivering around 255 kW of power, the MS8 vehicles offered robust performance but were often noted for their demanding handling characteristics. Some critiques regarded these models as less impressive compared to Elfin’s racing heritage.
By March of 2012, Elfin had suspended vehicle manufacturing activities, directing customer inquiries to the affiliated Walkinshaw Performance enterprise.
Historic vehicles – Garrie Cooper period
During its initial 25 years, the company manufactured 248 racing and sports racing vehicles spanning 27 distinct models.
| Model | Quantity | Years of Production | Overview | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Streamliner | 23 | 1959–1963 | Front-engine sports racing automobile | |
| Formula Junior & Catalina | 20 | 1961–1964 | Primarily Formula Junior and other small displacement racing cars | |
| Clubman | 14 | 1961–1965 | Sports car designed for Clubman competitions | |
| Mallala | 5 | 1962–1964 | Sports racing vehicle | |
| Type 100 Mono | 19 | 1964–1969 | Australian Formula 1½ Litre racing car | |
| Type 500 | 21 | 1965–1969 | Racing car built for Formula Vee class | |
| Type 400 | 4 | 1966–1967 | Group A sports racing car featuring V8 engine | |
| Type 300 | 6 | 1967–1969 | Sports racing automobile model | |
| Type 600 (B/C/D/E) | 27 | 1968–1971 | Racing cars developed for multiple formula categories | |
| Type 600 FF | 17 | 1969–1972 | Formula Ford class racing vehicle | |
| Type 350 | 1 | Produced only in 1969 | Sports racing car model | |
| ME5 | 1 | Produced only in 1969 | V8-powered Group A sports racing car | |
| Type 360 | 3 | Manufactured exclusively in 1971 | Sports racing car type | |
| MR5 | 4 | 1971–1972 | Australian Formula 1 (F5000) racecar; Elfin's first F5000 design and build | |
| 620FF / 620B | 20 | 1972–1975 | Formula Ford competition car | |
| 622 | 6 | 1972–1974 | Australian Formula 2 race vehicle | |
| 623 | 8 | 1973–1974 | Australian Formula 3 racing automobile | |
| MR6 | 1 | Produced only in 1974 | Australian Formula 1 (F5000) racecar | |
| MS7 | 1 | Produced only in 1974 | V8-powered sports racing car | |
| 630 | 2 | 1974–1975 | Australian Formula 2 competition vehicle | |
| 700 | 7 | 1975–1977 | Australian Formula 2 racing car model | |
| MR8 | 3 | 1976–1978 | Australian Formula 1 (F5000) racecar model | |
| New Generation "NG" | 29 | 1976–1983 | Formula Vee class racing car | |
| 792 | 3 | Produced only in 1979 | Australian Formula 2 racecar | |
| Aero FF | 1 | Produced only in 1979 | Formula Ford competition vehicle | |
| GE Two-25 | 1 | Produced only in 1980 | Australian Formula 2 racecar | |
| MR9 | 1 | Produced only in 1980; the first Australian open-wheel ground effect design, unique within F5000 history. Australian Formula 1 (F5000) racecar. |
Historic vehicles – The era following Garrie Cooper
| Model | Total | Production | Overview | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FF84 | 1 | 1984 | A Formula Ford competition vehicle. | |
| NG "EP" | 8 | 1984–1986 | Edmondson-Porter produced NG Series Formula Vee race cars. | |
| Crusader | 20 | Around 1990 | Racing car designed for Formula Vee competitions. | |
| 852 | 1 | 1985 | A Australian Formula 2 race car piloted by Mark Mclaughlin. | |
| FA891 | 1 | 1989 | Competed in the 1989 Australian Drivers' Championship as a Formula Holden vehicle driven by Mark Mclaughlin, who secured victory in the opening race at Mallala. Despite its achievements, many competitors favored importing British models from manufacturers such as Lola Cars, Ralt, and Reynard Motorsport. The "FA" in FA891 signifies Formula Australia, the initial designation of this racing category. | |
| Type 3 Clubman | 70 | 1998–2007 | Clubman-style sports car equipped with a supercharged Toyota 4AG ZE engine. |