2008 Elfin MS8 Streamliner
Sold: $69,000
Specifications
| Engine | All alloy GM sourced LS1 5.7 litre V8 |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual |
| Body Work | Fibreglass two-seater sports car |
| Colour | Arancio Borealis |
| Interior | Black & Orange |
| Trim | Leather |
| Wheels | Matt Black 18" Alloy |
| Brakes | Discs |
Description
For nearly 50 years Elfin Sports Car Company has produced some of the most highly competitive sports and open-wheeler racing cars of their day, ranging from the 1959 Streamliner, to Formula Vees through to 'big banger' sports cars and the MR9 Formula 5000 of the 1980's.
Elfin has won no less than 29 championships and major titles including two Australian Driver's Championships, five Australian Sports Car Championships, four Australian Tourist Trophies and three Formula Ford titles. World Formula One Champion James Hunt raced an Elfin, as did the brilliant French Formula One driver, Didier Pironi.
Elfin also took out the Singapore Grand Prix, twice won the Malaysian Grand Prix and also won the Australian Formula Two Championship in 1972 with Larry Perkins in an Elfin 600B.
The original Elfin Clubman was designed in 1961 and 14 vehicles were manufactured, however a new generation of Elfin sports cars emerged for the new Millennium.
Styled by the Holden Design Team under Mike Simcoe and built by the revived Elfin Sports Cars, the radical MS8 was first seen at the Melbourne Motor Show in 2004, combining the basic Clubman premise of a small, lightweight sports car with a large, powerful 5.7-litre alloy V8 motor. Built around a multi-tubular space frame chassis with GRP body panels, the diminutive MS8 had a kerb weight of just 1050 kg and an exceptionally good power to weight ratio. Two versions were unveiled, the traditional Clubman and more radical Streamliner with fully enclosed bodywork. Driving through a six-speed transmission with limited-slip diff, the Gen III Holden V8 motor delivers 245 kW to the road through 18-inch alloy wheels and 235/40 section tyres, with traction control a must. Suspension was via fully adjustable rose-jointed, double wishbones with alloy uprights, adjustable Koni shocks and rack and pinion steering making both the Clubman and Streamliner perfect track day weapons. Keeping all this power in check, Elfin fitted slotted and ventilated disc brakes with ABS. Creature comforts were minimal but effective, with a fully adjustable pedal box and steering column, allowing larger drivers to fit behind the wheel.
