OK, so did you think that I was going to leave it like that? No, there was a bit more work to do on the job of faring these rear quarters in until they looked natural. To be specific, the area behind the flares was sunken in, or now appeared sunken due the the wider stance of the wheel wells. I added layers of fiberglass, epoxy, and microballoon.
In the area in front of the flares, I shaved a LOT of material off with a long board (80-grit) to make the flare look more gradual. Then, the whole thing was covered with more epoxy and microballoon. It now has a much more natural-looking shape. It’s not finished yet, but it is getting there. The important thing to me is not to use much bondo in the end, because that just adds dead weight. The next step will involve wetting out a scrim, a thin layer of glass to become the new top substrate layer before the primer.
Elva Courier MkIII Restoration Blog 
Very impressive, I enjoyed reading/looking at the images. I have the sister car, serial #1058. Other than right hand drive, seems identical. I did my major restore in 2007 including the same Butch Gilbert flares. I’ve owned my 1963 Courier since 1977.
If you are interested:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elva-Courier-rare-1963-sports-car/101751879916332?fref=ts
Ron Kubara Vancouver Canada
Hey Ron, I have seen your car around on the web, at least photos of it. I noticed you have some photos of mine on your Facebook page, we have just never met. Your car looks like you’ve owned it for a very long time, like Scott Philibin. It also looks like you have restored it at least twice. (Different wheel arches in the rear). I just never knew your name location or chassis number. Can I add you to the Excel spreadsheet of the owners we have found? Maybe we will get to an event to see each other some day in person!
Absolutely add my to the list as I have no intention of moving the car on after 36-years 🙂 I use to race it in my younger years and yes it has gone through a few changes. It was a blue shell when I got it, then I did a restore black/silver while being a poor mortgaged home owner. Then finally a spare no expenses restore in 2007. While I did sandblast and paint the frame (all else was powder coated) I stopped short of cutting the body off like you did.
I do know Phil from Portland, I bought a windscreen from him as mine was cracked and got an original, perfect condition soft-top with it that I now use (well have). He has a VERY original, stock red Courier in beautiful shape.
Ron Kubara
15127 – 75A Ave
Surrey, British Columbia.
Canada V3S 8B4
kubara@shaw.ca
604.597.6658
1963 Mk III E1080 (sometimes I incorrectly indicate it is E1058 due to an aging memory).
Lotus 1600 stage 2 coupled to a Ford Merkur 5-speed with an original MG axle.
Right hand drive lite-weight, ultra-thin fibreglass, special order
4th owner, Canadian owned at all times, home tracks & raced in Mosport Ontario and Westwood British Columbia
Ron, Thanks for the info! Technically, I didn’t remove the body from my car, it was off before I got it! If you look at the page which I entitled “Beginning with Ebay” you will see what I had to start with. The previous owner had found it in someone’s yard having already been taken apart. He bought it, and let it sit another 10 years himself, before selling it to me. When the body does eventually get re-bonded back on to the chassis, it will be the first time they have been together in at least 20 years!