Riley Elf

[1071kev]

Quote: (but can't remember where from)
"Both the Riley Elf's and Wolseley Hornet's bodies were built at Fisher & Ludlow under their "Fisholow" brandname. Plates in the engine compartment on the right side fitch plate bear evidence of this speciality. Very early Mark I versions of both cars (e.g. press photo of 445MWL) had no overriders on the bumpers and a single piece front wing (A-panel and wing in one piece, no outside seam below scuttle panel) that was soon given up again, allegedly due to cost."



(please ignore mouse pointer on roof gutter of 1st photo!)

Pre-production cars were built by BMC, not Fisher and Ludlow. Different shells and therefore no Fishlow plate. Apanel and wing were not one piece, they were separate panels with the seam removed.

[1071kev]

As far as Hornets go I think Francis on here still has the oldest? With no external seems between wings and A panels.

One of the pre-production Hornets exist too Pete. Sister car to mine, nearing completion of restoration I believe.

[davidnutland]

My cars scuttle stainless trim is the non seem type that has been cut short to accommodate the wing seems, they must have ordered a large quantity of trim and shortened the scuttle to fit after the decision had been taken to revert to the normal Mini style front wing.

[Pandora]

Ive bought another one!!

Excellent. I have some photos of it at the revival (s) I'm sure, I'll try to dig them out, Pete.

Al

[Pete]

Ive bought another one!!

Excellent. I have some photos of it at the revival (s) I'm sure, I'll try to dig them out, Pete.

Al

Coolio! I think it did two, and the earlier car (SZJ1) did some qualy laps before Alec Poole binned it. Next year's goal - finish the race!

Alec with his first...

[Catmint]

Pre-production cars were built by BMC, not Fisher and Ludlow. Different shells and therefore no Fishlow plate. Apanel and wing were not one piece, they were separate panels with the seam removed.

Being rectal, I have wondered if the production shells were built on the body line at BMC and the finished off at Fisher Ludlow ? The ledgers that Gayden holds states "Paint and Trim Fisher Ludlow" ??

Would love to have a chat with some one who who worked for FL at the time to find out what went on.

Re interest in these cars, we have only got 3 Hornets !!

[davidnutland]

Yes Gordon it would be great to get some inside information about FL and the Elf Hornet production. We only have two Elfs.

[Pete]

Being rectal, I have wondered if the production shells were built on the body line at BMC and the finished off at Fisher Ludlow ? The ledgers that Gayden holds states "Paint and Trim Fisher Ludlow" ??

Would love to have a chat with some one who who worked for FL at the time to find out what went on.

Yeah me to, though it's not common to see pictures of them on the line at Longbridge Ive certainly seen some. Quite a few Minis also had 'paint and trim' at FL swell, bit confusing isn't it.

[Pete]

Ah Norman Grimshaws SZJ2. Lovely car! Below is a pic of the car in mondello back in the day.

Though Norman's cars were only tributes to the originals they were kind of the last cars linked to British Vita and still prepared largely at Littleborough, latterly Swiftune. He did a dark blue 'S' (FOP 4D) and a dark green car aswell (10 NOB) which were both a tribute to the early Vita cars.

I'd be interested to see a timeline of the original SZJ1 and SZJ2 cars if anyone has a clear idea of their histories?

[Pandora]

and the earlier car (SZJ1) did some qualy laps before Alec Poole binned it.

There was a spectacular sequence of shots of that incident, at the exit of Madgwick, I think.

Al

[Pandora]

Here it is in the middle of the pack at Lavant on the Saturday of the '09 revival Pete

Will see what others I can find

Al

[surfblue63]

Ive bought another one!!
I think there's a fair bit of interest in them out there but they do tend to go round in packs, not many owners ventured on here or been to Blyton either? (pic C/O Big Stu)

That was the Brands Mini Festival in 2014







PS I have an interesting number plate on retention for a 1967 F registered Elf, ELF 67F, I just need to find a car to put it on (it's number 3 on my imaginary list of projects that are in my head).

[Supersonic]

Is that Glyn (Dad) Swift driving? This side of the Irish Sea, the Elf and Hornet were used from the mid sixties by all the top runners in saloon car racing. The three top runners were Archie Phillips, Jim McClements and Alec Poole. Nobody I ever seen could drive a booted Mini like the late great Archie Phillips. Glyn was also a Mini great as well as being a true gentleman in every respect Joey Greenan also drove a Wolseley Hornet and had days when he was unbeatable as well

Alan

[Supersonic]

Ive bought another one!!

and... have an entry at Goodwood with Simon Goodliff driving it. No sure if there's any other mutants entered, I think there's only two other mutant race cars in the UK, both Elves(Elfs??).

I think there's a fair bit of interest in them out there but they do tend to go round in packs, not many owners ventured on here or been to Blyton either? (pic C/O Big Stu)

Pete, good luck with the new purchase. Did Tony Brennan own this car at one time? I knew Tony and his brother Jim who was a Downton mechanic and built top class engines over here for years.

I've lost contact with them for some time.

Alan

[acespeed72]

My favourite memory of the Hornet peddled by Norman...

[acespeed72]

72nd Members Meeting

[Supersonic]

Andy, very nice photograph, I take it that is Glyn and yourself fighting it out

Alan

[acespeed72]

The late great Stormin Norman...

[Catmint]

Me, the Missus and Humphrey going for it somewhere

[billycooper]

My favourite memory of the Hornet peddled by Norman...

Fab pic, and thats brill news Pete, great to see the car out, a real tribute to Norman .. and Glyn


You out as well Andy ?