Elfin built some fast open-wheelers, but the MS7 injected some of the methodologies from Formula 5000 into the pursuit of the Australian Sports Car Championship.
Elfin founder Garrie Cooper built this one-off, open-top sports car with one goal – to secure the 1975 Australian Sports Car Championship.
Built in 1974 using an aluminium monocoque, the MS7 was derived from the MR6 Formula 5000 using many of the same components covered in bodywork heavily inspired by Porsche’s 917/10 Can-Am.
Weighing just 730kgs in the dry, the package was made potent by its 5.0-litre Repco-Holden V8 using Lucas fuel injection.
It hugely successful one of a kind sports car, the MS7 came at a time when Elfin’s main business was Formula 5000 where Tasmanian John McCormack was enjoying success.
The 1975 Australian Sports Car Championship was contested in a single race at Phillip Island on November 30.
A 30-lap encounter was dominated by Cooper in the MS7, finishing one lap clear of second.
Finishing fifth in the race driving a Matich SR3A Repco was Stuart Kostera, who was the custodian of the MS7 until 1983 and won the 1976 Australian Tourist Trophy.
It was then passed onto Alan Newton until 1997 before noted historic racer Aaron Lewis until 2005 when Bob Tweedie purchased it.
Tweedie and his son Tom have continued the MS7’s success in historic events both locally in addition to a few overseas events.
Still in its familiar Ansett colours, the Elfin MS7 remains one of the best aesthetically pleasing sports cars produced in Australia.