Walkinshaw buys Elfin -- exports, dealer network and more

Scottish motorsport identity and automotive wheeler dealer, Tom Walkinshaw has bought Australian sportscar specialist, Elfin.

The owner of HSV and other key automotive performance operations around the globe, Walkinshaw purchased the tiny Australian marque earlier this month. The purchase follows an eight-month consultative period during which Walkinshaw staff have revamped Elfin's production processes and helped secure ADR compliance for the iconic sportscar maker's Holden V8-powered Clubman and Streamliner models.

Elfin will continue to operate from its premises in Braeside in Melbourne's south east, but will sell its cars across Australasia, the UK and other export markets.

Established in 1956 and producing its first car in 1957 (next year will be the marque's 50th anniversary), Elfin has been under the tutelage of partners Nick Kovatch and Bill Hemming since 1998. Kovatch will stay with the new operation as its Technical Director, however, Hemmings is leaving to pursue other interests.

Though the company was known in enthusiast circles for its traditional four-cylinder Lotus 7 style sportscars, Elfin shot into the media spotlight when the V8-powered MS8 Clubman and Streamliner were launched on the Holden stand at the Melbourne Motor Show in March 2004.

Penned by Holden and now GM styling guru, Mike Simcoe, the cars have been an on-again off-again project since… At least in the eyes of the general public.

The sale of Elfin comes after full registration and compliance approval has been granted for the cars. Indeed, the company has already delivered production Clubman and Streamliners to local owners.

Kovatsch told CarPoint: "Bill and I got the project [the V8-powered cars] to a stage which was as far as we could take it -- financially and in terms of resources, stress and people. The company's at the stage now where it really needs [the expertise of] someone like the Walkinshaw group to do justice to the product and the history of the brand."

According to Kovatch, Elfin can now concentrate on getting the cars to market via a new specialist dealer network in Australia, as well as key export markets such as the UK and Middle East. Using the additional resources and expertise of Walkinshaw's companies and personnel Elfin has kicked-off the certification process for the cars for a Spring 2007 debut in the UK.

Kovatch will also devote time to developing a new four-cylinder entry-level Elfin model.

Ex-HSV exec, Chris Payne will play an active role in the 'new Elfin' in addition to heading the expansion of the stand-alone Walkinshaw Performance tuning and aftermarket operation.

Payne said the the Walkinshaw team would bring expertise in production engineering, ADR compliance and marketing to Elfin.

"Elfin has done very well under the stewardship of Bill and Nick, but all parties felt it was time for Elfin to take the next step to fully realise its potential. To achieve this, the business had to be re-organised and embrace a more modern niche production company with wider sales opportunities, backed by the necessary technologies and resources to take it forward.

"Walkinshaw Performance was the ideal fit. While we have the necessary resources [to move Elfin brand forward], the Elfin sports cars are complementary to existing Walkinshaw business interests, sharing similar core values and enthusiast appeal," Payne told CarPoint.

According to Payne, Elfin will be able to build around 100 MS8s per year. The company aims to deliver around 75 cars in 2007.

Elfin Sports Cars will be sold through a new dealer network across Australia and New Zealand, with distribution and delivery rights being initially offered to leading HSV Dealers in each mainland state. Shacks HSV in Perth has already been appointed as the first Elfin retail operation.

Though this will mean buyers will be able to see showroom cars and drive demonstrators in their home state, they will still be encouraged to visit the Elfin factory to 'spec' their car and experience the production process first hand.

'Elfin Perth' will likely be joined by Gold Coast and Sydney operations soon, Payne told CarPoint.

Walkinshaw's UK operation will likely play a key role in sales of the V8 sporties there.

Locally two production models will be offered by Elfin, the openwheeler style Clubman priced from $98,990 and the $119,990 Streamliner.

Boasting 0-100km/h times of less than 4.4sec and 12sec quarter mile times, the pairing are among the fastest accelerating four-wheelers in the world today. That said, both MS8s also feature ABS brakes and traction control and the Streamliner also offers air-conditioning as standard equipment.

Road cars are served by a 12-month/20,000km warranty and Elfin also offers track versions and performance upgrades for those who wish to use their cars for competition.

Keep an eye out for CarPoint's drive impression of the MS8 Clubman and Streamliner soon.

Ed's note: Elfin was founded in South Australia by Australian racer, Garrie Cooper. Cooper's cars found fame on the circuit in the hands of some of the nation's best-known race winners, including Frank Matich, Larry Perkins and John McComack. Elfin race cars have won 29 championships and major titles including two Australian Drivers' Championships, five Australian Sports Car Championships, four Australian Tourist Trophies and three Formula Ford titles. Cooper died in 1982.