1960 Elva Formula Junior Type 200 #017F

The 1960 Elva Formula Junior Type 200 was the first rear-engined formula car produced by Elva, with only about 20 examples ever built. They were based on a round-tube spaceframe design with fibreglass bodywork. Suspension was fully independent with coil-over dampers with unequal length A-arms in the front, while the rear featured independent swing axle suspension utilising the half shafts as upper control arms. Drum brakes were a standard requirement for its specific Formula Junior class and the car featured finned aluminium drums at the front and cast iron inboard drums at the rear. They were originally designed to accommodate production-based engines such as the BMC A-Series or the Ford 105E.

Fitted with a Ford engine and VW gearbox, chassis #017F was purchased new in 1960 by David Austin and raced successfully by him in period as the 'Babs Racing Team'. It became outdated after a while as most early Formula Juniors did (until becoming of Historic interest many years later) and passed through the hands of Jo Boatright and Peter Bloore who sold it to Rodney Tolhurst.

• Winner of Formula Junior Pre-'61 race at Old Timer, Nurburgring
• FIA European Historic Single Seater Championship in 1992 (runner-up in 1991 and 1993)
• 4th in first Goodwood Revival and many class wins in the UK and Europe driven by Phoebe Rolt
• Winner of BARC Elva 50th Anniversary Race at Thruxton, 2007
• 2nd Chichester Cup, Goodwood Revival and Lurani Trophy driven by Martin Walford
• 2010 Winner of Chichester Cup and Algarve Historic Festival driven by Ben Simms
• From 2011 to 2019 successful on the 'Hills' including Driver of the Day at Loughton Park
• Podium finish at 2014 Oulton Park Gold Cup. Last race for Phoebe Rolt

Supplied with old FIA original papers (1990), HTP papers from 2008, lots of old results sheets, period photos and some spare bodywork, #017F has not been used for a few years and is undoubtedly in need of some work. It's a very well known race car that has proved competitive over many years but is now in need of an enthusiastic new owner to enjoy the car and return it to top form. The FJHRA has dozens of events on the 2026 calendar, both here and in Europe, and Formula Juniors are welcome at non-championship events everywhere as well as sprints and hill-climbs. On offer without reserve, it would be great to see the little Stuart/Phoebe Rolt Elva at the sharp end of the grid once more.