Riley Elf Race Car

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The diminutive Mini proved itself time and again on circuits and rally stages around the world. The BMC competitions department certainly made the most of their tiny front-wheel drive masterpiece, having been shown the way by John Cooper who was the first to be really successful in getting the 'quart out of the pint pot'.

In their day they battled and won against opposition ranging from Galaxies to Cortinas, BMWs to Abarths on the circuits whilst dominating the rally scene against all comers. Even today, in classic events, the Minis provide the most entertainment, out-handling all other cars on the track thanks to their brilliant rubber suspension, light weight and low centre of gravity.

Spotting a gap in the market for a more luxurious version of the humble Mini, BMC designed a pair of up-market models by 'topping and tailing' the standard car, retaining the majority of the basic Mini's structure but adding finned rear wings, a larger boot and restyled front-end that gave the cars a more traditional ‘three-box’ look. These were sold as the Wolseley Hornet and Riley Elf and appealed to the customer who was looking for something a bit different, as was the case with the vendor of this well-prepared racer when he discovered this 1965 Elf languishing in a Lincolnshire barn.

Last used in 1991, it was suffering from the usual problem areas and once completely stripped, the bodyshell restoration began. The vendor replaced both inner and outer sills, much of the floor, inner wings, front arches, front wings, A-panels, heel board and the lower rear panel. He then cleaned and overhauled the sub frames and painted them grey to match the two-tone scheme of the completed car.

Intended to be a race car from the off, he fitted hi/lo adjustable suspension, adjustable camber brackets on the rear and two-degree bottom arms at the front. An adjustable tie bar was added along with adjustable shock absorbers all round.

The brakes have been upgraded to Cooper S spec, with new discs and calipers, Aeroquip hoses throughout and copper piping. The master cylinder and rear slave cylinders are also new, the rear brakes being fitted with genuine Minifin drums. A set of new Minilite-style alloys have just been fitted with fresh Yokohama 008 tyres which completed the rolling shell.

An excellent A-series block was sourced, bored to 1,293cc and fitted with a lightened and balanced Cooper S steel crank and rods fitted with ‘slipper’ type pistons and a steel flywheel complete with competition clutch. A genuine Leyland 649 camshaft, Titan 1.5:1 roller rockers and a Brian Slark big-valve head were installed along with a DCOE 45 Weber carburettor on a Maniflow manifold. The 2” exhaust uses a 3-into-1 system again supplied by Maniflow and the alternator and waterpump are now belt-driven.

The transmission was set up with straight-cut 1:1 drop gears and a dog-box which transmits power to the road through a Quaife LSD, 3.9:1 semi-helical gears and Cooper S output shafts and special universal joints. All this is stirred into action by a quick-shift gearlever.

As can be seen, nothing was left out in this monumental build, the car being prepared by the vendor for him to race although sadly a recent illness has meant that he won’t be getting a new race licence any time soon, hence his completed car is on offer today.

Now up-and-running, it sounds sensational and is ready for its initial shake-down and set up. On offer for less than the cost of the parts, competitive Minis have been changing hands for upwards of £50,000, making this very nicely prepared Elf look extremely good value at its suggested guide price.

A potentially highly competitive package and usable for a wide range of events including the U2TC (under 2-litre touring car) events, pre-66 Touring Cars or the HRDC ‘A’ Series Challenge, this looks like an awful lot of fun…

AMENDMENT: V5 is to follow.