Elfe (France) - AllCarIndex

Elfe was a French automobile brand that operated briefly from 1919 to 1921, founded by Eugène Mauve in Vierzon, Cher. Mauve, who was recognized as a significant figure in the early automotive racing scene, particularly for his contributions to the Bol d'Or, a 24-hour race for motorcycles and cyclecars, produced the Elfe as part of his automotive endeavors.

The Elfe was notable for its unique design as a monocar or tandem two-seater, featuring a front-mounted V-twin engine and a V-belt drive system that powered the rear wheels. In addition to the standard model, Mauve also developed a few competition variants of the Elfe, which were equipped with rear-mounted 1095cc Anzani V-twin engines. These racing models had a distinctive configuration where both the driver and passenger were seated on saddles, utilizing a single-chain drive.

Despite Mauve's active participation in cyclecar events during 1920 and 1921, the Elfe did not achieve significant success in competitions. In the 1921 Coupe des Voiturettes, for instance, it was recorded as the slowest car on the course. Mauve's spirited personality was noted by contemporaries, with one journalist remarking that his wit was quicker than the performance of his vehicles. Following the Elfe's production run, Mauve transitioned to manufacturing more conventional automobiles under the name Mauve in 1923.