HSV's Elfin Sports Cars Soon To Be Released In The UK

[JoeT]

Elfins Hits The UK

David Hassall & Terry Martin
17 July 2007
www.goauto.com.au

Australia sportscar company Elfin has begun its export push by sending a batch of four V8-engined cars to Britain.

The Walkinshaw Performance-owned operation will use the cars – three MS8 Clubman models and one MS8 Streamliner – to not only promote the brand but also to sort out UK compliance.

Elfin Sports Cars chief executive officer Chris Payne said the company already has three dealers in the UK and is conducting a number of promotional events and drive days over the northern summer.

The main focus appears to be on the more traditional-looking but potent MS8 Clubman, which Mr Payne expects will sell there for around $100,000 (£40,000).

“We had the key British magazines over here a couple of months ago for a preview drive and they really enjoyed the cars,” said Mr Payne. “They understand the concept of the car, which is not surprising as Britain is the home of clubman-style cars.

“That’s where the growth is for Elfin and, with the demise of TVR, we think there might be some appeal there for the Streamliner. I guess we will find out.

“People over there are impressed with the quality of the vehicles versus cars like Caterhams etc, so I’m quietly confident.”

Elfin will operate out of Walkinshaw’s base at Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire, where former Holden Special Vehicles chief executive Phil Harding now looks after export markets for both HSV and Elfin.

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Elfin Sports Cars Website
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[mikmak]

Ahh, if only I was a midget, I would probably want one of these. :P

[Tequilujan]

Man, those look pretty damn sweet.

[mbukukanyau]

seems like the English and Ausies have been left to making rich mens toys

[TKR]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

seems like the English and Ausies have been left to making rich mens toys

Do you see that as a good thing or a bad thing?

[Aych Es Vee]

I love those things.

Slap some VE GTS rims on the 50th anniversary streamliner, and GIVE ME IT.

[sa_seahawker]

Uh...what the heck are those?

For all the hotness that Holden puts out....someone made these???

[Robert Ryan]

For all the hotness that Holden puts out....someone made these???

Elfin under the late Garrie Cooper were the most profilic builders of Sportscars and Racing cars in Australia:The Clubmans celebrate the memory of his cars:
He made these:

[Robert Ryan]

[asylum]

i was amazed when i seen the 50th anniversary Streamliner at the Adelaide Motor Show! hood open showing off its supercharged 5.7L hand-polished V8 in all its glory

[JetMech]

Man those are sweet. I love the T Tops on the Streamline and the Clubman looks like a Prowler injected with a healthy dose of balls.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by TKR

Do you see that as a good thing or a bad thing?

Its sad, how could a country whose navy dominated the seas, and spread its wings across the globe not make a simple corolla like vehicle.
The demise of the UK's industrial prowess, and its English speaking dominions, Canada, Australia is really sad.

[Robert Ryan]

The demise of the UK's industrial prowess, and its English speaking dominions, Canada, Australia is really sad

You forgot it's ex-Dominion the US which is in the same boat. Actually the English make a lot of cars more than they ever did, but not any makes owned by them.

[nota]

Originally Posted by Robert Ryan

Elfin under the late Garrie Cooper were the most profilic builders of Sportscars and Racing cars in Australia:The Clubmans celebrate the memory of his cars:

Nice Elfin pics! They've been building cars for 50 years. This early 'time warp' Clubman showed up recently at a local car show, still wearing its original top

[mikmak]

I think there is more to it than prowess. Economic competitiveness comes to mind. If anything, hand built specials require more manufacturing talent than mass production. Besides, the US as plenty of these types of companies. Saleen is one that comes to mind.

Manufacturing of something like a Corolla, comes down to cost vs. return (ie Profit ). The ratio is pretty poor.