Welcome to the home page for the Elf/Hornet Register.

The club was set up in 2002 to raise the awareness of the Riley Elf and the Wolseley Hornet mini derivatives. It is the largest club to cater for both the Elf AND the Hornet. The clubs aim is to keep track of as many of these cars as possible from anywhere in the world, and to promote the awareness and preservation of such cars. The club is always growing and has many members from all over the globe.

Click the mini and book above for our active forum

For membership form CLICK HERE

What is an Elf or Hornet ?

After the Mini was launched in August 1959, BMC started work on an up market 'booted' saloon version. This was first seen in 1961 as the Wolseley Hornet, and Riley Elf, as before the Elf was the sporty version.

They are based very much on the mini, but have a higher quality of interior trim and more external chrome than the humble mini. They have a larger boot and a distinctive front that is very different from the mini's.

Over its 8 years, it had 2 minor facelifts, the first of which, in 1963, saw the original Mini 850 engine replaced by the Cooper's 998cc. This gave added speed, and better performance. The Mark III, launched in 1966, featured wind-up windows, and integral Door hinges - features not seen on the Mini until 1969.
The car was killed off, in both guises, with the axing of all Riley Models in 1969, and was indirectly replaced by the Mini Clubman Models. In total, 30,912 Riley Elfs were built.
Figures are not known of the final count of Hornets built.

To find out more about our cars and to talkto fellow owners please join our forum
by clicking the BMC logo below

Elf/Hornet Forum