Students help with restoration

The 1958 Elva Mark III will form the centrepiece of the new motor heritage gallery when the enlarged museum re-opens next year.

It will join the town's replica of the Serpollet steam car which won the 1902 Bexhill Motor Trials, the first international motorsport event in the UK and the electric car with which a previous generation of St Richard's students won a class world land speed record which stands to this day.

The award of 12,749 from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) PRISM Grant Fund has enabled the conservation and restoration of the Elva to start in earnest.

Elvas were powered by an automotive conversion of the Coventry Climax engine, built as a lightweight, high-powered power unit for fire pumps.

John Betts, head of fund-raising for the Society of Bexhill Museums, said this week: "After four hectic months we can report that the Elva Project led by Peter Brown, ably supported by ex-Elva employees Bob Curl, Len Sayers and Tony Recknell plus Roger Dunbar (of the Elva Club), is well under way.

"These volunteers are supported by local specialist companies employed to carry out the production of the new aluminium body shell, the conversion of the Coventry-Climax engine to automotive use, the restoration of the gearbox, the refurbishing of the interior trim and seats and some minor works.

"As the bonnet section of the body shell had been extensively modified for the car to be used on the road, it was decided to replace the entire bodywork.

"To date the middle and rear sections have been completed.

"The engine has been stripped down and all parts found to be in good order. It is now with the auto engineers for conversion to automotive use. Work on the gearbox is complete with no major problems. A new transfer plate has been bought to match engine and gearbox.

"Meanwhile, the museum team have been hard at work, mainly on the chassis frame, possibly the most important part of the car when it was actually racing. This work has taken longer than expected as many items had been added since it left the Elva workshop. All of the work is now complete and the chassis transferred to the body shop awaiting transit to the re-finishers and powder coating experts.

"The front disc and rear drum brakes are in excellent condition, both only requiring general cleaning. No leaks were found in the hydraulic system.

"The front suspension required some work, the trunnions being replaced as grit had entered the housings. The dampers and springs are fully serviceable and only require painting.

"A little more work was required on the rear suspension. All bearing assemblies were dismantled, cleaned and re-assembled. Both drive flanges have been re-drilled and tapped clear to accept new wheel studs. The de Dion tube will be sent for powder coating.

"No problems were found with the steering rack. All items have been painted and await re-assembly.

"The pedal assemblies were removed and non-works item removed.

"The master hydraulic cylinders will be replaced. New front callipers and braided hoses have been bought to match the front discs.

"Work has been carried out on the seat shells prior to their transfer to the coachwork trimmers.

"The prop shaft has been refurbished and repainted and the differential is complete and will be refitted when required.

"With the start of the new school term in September our team will be joined by a group of students from St Richard's School who will work alongside the 'old timers' on the second and final phase of the works. This will see the completion of the project by the year end.

"Although the museum obtained the maximum grant of 50% of the total project costs from the PRISM Grant Fund, we still require some additional outside funding to complete the works.

"So, we again appeal to those who have not yet joined us in this exciting project to come on board and help conserve this important icon from Britain's motoring past - the only one of its type not privately owned.

"Do not forget that without such figures as Frank Nichols building his cars in Bexhill in the 1950s this country would not be at the top of world motor racing today."