Never one for words, Cooper spoke through his deeds on the race track. The mighty successes of his racing cars, driven by himself and a legion of other talented drivers, spoke volumes for the man who built racing cars in a small Adelaide factory for more than 20 years.

Because Cooper was born in Adelaide, South Australia, a world away from the hub of motor sport, he never received the recognition he certainly deserved. Had he been born in England, France or Italy there would probably have been an Elfin Grand Prix team, and Cooper would most likely have been lauded for his innovative racing car designs much as John Cooper and Colin Chapman were for their Cooper and Lotus cars that fundamentally changed racing car design.

He wasn't. He was born in Australia so the world only got a glimpse of his genius. When European teams and drivers came south for the northern winters to race against the best drivers and teams local motor racing could muster, Garrie Cooper was right up there, racing his V8-powered Formula 5000 monsters, with great success against the best in the world.

While Cooper enjoyed immense success at the wheel of his own cars, like the 1968 Singapore Grand Prix and the 1975 Australian Tourist Trophy, he also gave other great Australian drivers the chance to shine. Scan the list of drivers who have tasted success in Elfin racing cars and you'll find names like sports car legend Frank Matich. Gold Star champion John McCormack, Bathhurst champions Larry Perkins and John Bowe, Le Mans 25 hour winner Vern Schuppan and Formula One World champion James Hunt.

While Cooper would undoubtedly have enjoyed watching these other great drivers win in his cars, he gave his all in racing with and against them, because that's what he enjoyed most.

Cooper built racing cars because he loved racing. It was something he dreamt of from a young age. That his company grew to become the second largest manufacturer of racing cars in the world in the late 1960s was testament to his engineering ability.

From the early 1960s to the late 1970s Elfins dominated local openwheeler and sports car racing, from the diminutive Formula Vee to the sleek Formula Ford which helped a generation of young chargers get into racing, to the thundering V8-powered sports and racing cars that won numerous national titles.

Along the way Cooper and his tiny team built 27 different models, a total of 248 cars. With an impressive list of 29 national championships and major titles they were all winners, much like their quietly spoken creator.

Australian motor racing lost one of its stars when Garrie Cooper died suddenly aged just 46, in 1982. His spirit is looking over the shoulder of the designers of all subsequent Elfin models.

More than 375 enthusiasts attended the Elfin Heritage Centre celebration evening and there were apologies from other Elfin luminaries who couldn't make it, including John Bowe, Neil Allen and Bryan Thomson.

Brian "Brique" Reed, EODC President, fulfilled MC duties and introduced short speeches which emphasized the importance of the Heritage Centre as a home for the Elfin Owners and Drivers Club. Most importantly, the Elfin Heritage Centre will act as a permanent memorial to the fabulous achievements of Garrie Cooper.

Many important pieces of Elfin memorabilia had already been provided to the Heritage Centre. On the night, more were presented, including photos, trophies and Garrie's old Ansett Team Elfin driving suit.

The Elfin Heritage Centre boasted 24 Elfins on display, including Garrie's first (Cooper Austin) and last (MR9 F5000) race cars, plus the prototype of his planned Formula Vee based road sports car.

The Centre would like to thank all those who contributed to a fantastic evening. There were visitors from every state of Australia. Special thanks go to those who presented the very special displays, including: Peter Griffin (MR9), John Hazelden (Cooper Austin), Paul Trevethan (MR6), Ian Ross (600C), John Anderson (Cooper Butler), Max McPherson (Formula Junior), Tim Dash (600B), Graham Hoinville (Mono), Peter Mattews (Formula Vee), Elfin Sports Cars (MR8 Streamliner), Glen Bishop (S/charged 7), Rob Richards (C3 Clubman prototype), Bill Hemming (MR8, 400, 300, Streamliner, Clubman, VW Road Car, NG Vee, 600FF, Aero, C3, MR8) and Pete Ffrench (Streamliner restoration project).

Further thanks to suppliers of invaluable memorabilia from: Lorraine Cooper, Brique Reed, Roger James, Jack Hunnam, Stan Keen, Ian Pope, Alan Hamilton, Bryan Thomson, Peter Fowler, Haam Largaij and Lloyd Shaw.

It is intended to maintain a changing display of vehicles and a growing list of important memorabilia as items become available.

The Elfin Heritage Centre... KEEPING THE SPIRIT ALIVE!