This car is what I want to label a puzzle that needs putting together. Or maybe a knot that needs to be untangled. It’s titled as a 1965 Elva, but it’s actually a kit. I’ll explore that more below. It’s located in Prescott, AZ in case you’re interested in acquiring an open-topped roadster. When I first looked at the ad here on ebay, I swear the car was priced at $11,999 as a buy price. Now, it has been switched to bids. With a week to go, it’s nestled around the $4500 mark. What does that suggest? That you’ll get it around ten grand maybe? Thanks to TJ for the tip on this one.
Mechanically, this car is no more Elva than is Santa’s Sleigh. (That’s a Ferrari—how else could it go so far, so fast, all in one night?) In fact, the engine in this car is a 2.0-liter Subaru that puts out 185 horsepower. As you can see, the car appears to be fiberglass or composite, and that makes it light. The seller cites a power-to-weight ratio of 6.4lb./hp. Work that out for, say, a Honda Civic coupe, and you’d have a car with about 470 horsepower. But of course, you’re not going to drive this on the street, are you?
Apparently, the target audience is SCCA Solo D/E-Mod racers. The car was approved for such competition in 2019, according to the seller. But if you’re reading this, maybe that kind of thing is obvious to you. That, the racing belts, and the electronic dash display that looks quite race-car vibe would be all the confirmation necessary. It would be interesting to know what kind of fuel cell it has and what other racing fitment there is in the build. The seller cites a couple of apparently pro shops in the Phoenix and New River, AZ area as having put this one together.
So what else can be said about this Elva, which is actually a Sylva J15 kit car, an English import. Kit or not, you have to look at the quality of the build. Go on the internet and search for Sylva J15 and you’ll find some darned handsome builds of this body style. This car, by contrast, looks rather Plain Jane. The paint color doesn’t pop, and the interior is pure functionality. That’s likely precisely what someone who would race it would want, though. So if you buy it, what will you tell your friends you got? “I got an Elva. I mean a Sylva. I mean a race car. I mean a sunny day cruiser.” The answer won’t matter once you get them out on the road, mash that gas pedal, work your way up through the five-speed gearbox, and have them hanging on for dear life.
I would most definitely drive on Street.
Same here, it would make a good touring car, around where i live in Washington ,with all the twist & bends in the road,lol.
I hope that the streets are smooth where both RW & Lawrence live. Look at how short the upper rear suspension arm is in the engine photo. There won’t be much suspension movement to smooth out those bumps and potholes.
Oh this thing rocks! And yes, street and track use would be fun. There is a Buy-it-Now option at $11,900, which is I am sure way below build cost (as is always the case for racecars it seems). I know the work of the fabricator in New River cited in the ad from my past and “top notch” is the only description I can use. I need to keep my powder dry for some other projects but this is very tempting!
What’s the name of the fabricator in New River. I live in the Phoenix area and looking for one to do some work on a car I’m building
Harrison Auto Dynamics in New River. According to the EBAY listing.
Should not have advertised it as an Elva.Different otherwise
Must be fun to drive if you can fit. Street legal? Not here in CA.
Agree with Mike. Elva is just likely to be a mistake ( or no Sylva on drop down menu, maybe?).
But Sylva is actually very good as a kit brand and they specialise in club motorsport. You can use them on the road but it soon stops being fun.
I’m not aware of this mid-engined model, but Sylva engineering is usually fit for purpose. The Subaru unit is an inspired choice, so great value for someone with mechanical and driving skills!
Paint it black an name it “Elvira”
put a turbo on the sa boo-boo engine, and make it sprout wings. this would be more dog gone fun on a road course than anything else i can think of. almost like a cafe racer, but with 4 wheels.