I bought ex Eugene Birdsey/ex Kent Painter/ex Ted Stratton 1961 Elva Courier as a project car and will need/appreciate heaps of advice to restore it to 1961 racing trim!!! I have a SCCA Log Book with entries from 1972 to 1975 mentioning "Glen" a few times, so I assume the owner (Eugene Birdsey) lived in NE USA at that time. Google tells me that Eugene raced the Elva at The Glen in 1966 and 1967 but did not finish either event. Prior to that, Eugene drove a Fairthorpe...

Ted bought the car around 1986 so there is still some history lost... It would seem that Ted did not complete his restoration so there is no racing history since that time. It being a 1961 car, obviously there is another 11 early years of history to be discovered if possible!
Dave Godwin (Australia)

Lots of very enthusiastic and helpful owners owners out there who I am sure will be pleased to contribute. I note that the JW race records show Birdsey racing a Courier Mk.III which may have been incorrect entry details or he owned more than one Courier

My wife, Laurel and I will be visiting the UK from 13 June to 30 July and would love to meet up with Elva owners and visit what is left of the factories and any museums containing Elva Couriers... (Already planning on visiting the Elva Courier in the Haynes Museum). Dave Godwin, +37257081485.

ElvaRacingRoger are you still looking for information on your Elva Courier? My step-father was Eugene Birdsey. I do know he won the Glen 100 at Watkins Glen in May 1968. I'll need to do some digging to get other results.

Are you still looking for information? Eugene Birdsey was my step-father.

Yes please!
I thought I had drawn a blank!!!
In fact, I will be at Watkins Glen late June this year, so hopefully will be able to catch up with you - if you are nearby?
My email is murphgod@hotmail.com if you want to be in touch.
The Courier has been prepared for painting, so when the next bundle of money arrives, will go in for the top coat.
Then re-assemble will begin!
Any information you can give me will be appreciated. I keep a book and box on all of my cars and collate as much information as I can to pass on the next custodians, when the time comes...
Would you have any history between your family and 1986 by any chance.
All the best,
Dave

Dave ... Good to see that you had spotted the posts from Denise ... there are likely to be other race entries listed by Janos available as a download or DVD to owners of the ELVA book.
Hopefully more info to come but meanwhile a nice image kindly sent by Denise a few days ago ... R

Guess what number I am going to put on it's door...
Many thanks for the pic. Is it possible to send it to my email address please?
ON ROUTE DAVE ... ENJOY! AND THANK YOU TO DENISE.

murphgod@hotmail.com

Dave

Hi Dave,

I'll send this one and a few more pictures to your email.

I live in Rochester, NY not too far from Watkins Glen. It would be wonderful to catch up.

Talk soon.

Denise