An elevator apparatus (10) for manipulating well bore tubing (12) includes a circular body (16) having a top (18) and a central cavity (26) around a body axis (28). The cavity (26) has a diameter allowing the collar portion (14) of the tubing (12) to pass longitudinally therethrough. A plurality of cavity restricting members (36) above the body (16), supported on and spaced apart around the top (18) of the body (16), have proximal (38) and distal portions (40) in respect to the cavity (26). One or more actuators (60) are operatively associated with the petal plates (36) for moving the proximal portion (38) of each cavity restricting member (36) into the cavity (26) an extent sufficient, in combination with the other cavity restricting members (36) so moved, to prevent passage of the collar portion (14) of the tubing (12) through the cavity (26), thereby to hold the tubing (12) with the elevator (10).