News/Events

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Tuesday 4th June at 6.00 pm BST on zoom

NEC Restoration Show

Come and see us at the NEC Restoration Show, March 22nd – 24th. (www.necrestorationshow.com)

2024 Competition Events

If you want to come along and race your Allard against other club members we have classes at most of the hill climb venues for 2024. We’re not overly competitive, it’s more about the fun of taking part and hearing those gorgeous engines roar! You can see all our events here.

Virtual Club Night

Every second Tuesday at 6.00 PM GMT the club holds a virtual Club Night on Zoom.

You can ask for advice from the wealth of experience our club members hold or just listen to fascinating Allard related stories; either way please join us, more details on our Social Zoom page 

RICHMOND LIGHT RAILWAY CHARITY FAIR
Saturday 12th August

ALLARD SUMMER GATHERING

23rd July 2023

Despite bad weather forcing cancellation of the Classic car rally at Holdenby House the summer gathering still took place at the Arms Depot at Weedon Bec.

https://youtu.be/1N9rJQE2YjM

Jon Langley in the ex Dave Lovey s K1, Mark Brett and Dom Patterson in their L types


The Tony Locke collection

Seven Allards sold at online auction – 13th July

Seven Allards were sold on Wednesday 13th July at auction. Stars of the sale was an Allard J2 and two J2 recreations. Also sold a K1, L type, a P one sallon and an L rebuildt as a two seater K. All needed some attention to get them ready for the road.


WISCOMBE PARK HILLCLIMB
20th May 2023.

Regis TAP Rally Sunday 4th September

The Allards stand out among the eighty entrants in the Regis TAP event. From the left Sheila Tillers L, James Smith’s L and Darell & Jenny’s M type,

CLUB CONCOURS SUNDAY 12th JUNE 2022

2022 AOC UK Concourse was held at the Classic & Restro Show on Sunday 12th June at Turvey House, Bedfordshire, with Rick Newman taking the top prize

3 Allards at the Turvy car show

Wiscombe Park  Hill Climb Saturday 7th May 2022

Two Allards competed at Wiscombe Hill Climb.. James Smith in his J1 and Joe Clegg in his K2. James came out on top by 0.2 of a second. To see how he did it look at the video s below.


James Smith80 Allard J1 4200CC
Practice 3.30 32.27 65.38
Practice 3.15 31.30 62.60
Event 3.20 30.06 61.22
Event 3.11 29.24 60.04
Joe Clegg.79 Allard K2 5400CC
Practice 3.75 33.91 69.69
Practice 4.19 31.50 63.54
Event 3.95 31.26 61.76
Event 3.81 29.90 60.37

2021 Classic Car Show, Birmingham

Four cars featured on the club stand at the Classic car Show in Birmingham David Moseley’s Palm Beach Two K1’s owned by Chris Hendley and Chris Grover and Bob Francis fabulous J2 which was the car which Sydney Allard drove to third place at Le mans in 1951. The stand attracted many members and visitors throughout the three day event. Many thanks to the owners for allowing their cars to be displayed  and to Mel and his helpers for making the stand possible.

On Sunday the JR Chassis No 3408 was sold at Silverstone Auctions and after some frantic bidding was bought by a club member

ALLARD JR Chassis no 3408 .

This unique car has now been bought by a club member

Allard Sports Cars tested the continuation Allard JR at Goodwood on the 30th August. Driven by lloyd Allard and Josh Sadler it was laping around 1 min 40 Josh reporting that the car was a joy to drive with plenty of torque from the 5.4 litre Caddy. For further details on this car contact lloyd or Alan. info@allardsportscars.co.uk

youtube.com/watch?v=crcI-A3tXJE(opens in a new tab)

SILVERSTONE CLASSIC 2021.

Allards line up for the parade lap at the Silverstone Classic race meeting on the 30 th July . Max SOWERBY and Till BECHTOLSHEIMERT both in their Allard J2 s competed in the Woodcote and Stirling Moss Trophy.

Bentley Drivers Club Meeting.

Silverstone 6th August 2021

Allards at the Heritage Trial Woolminstone Somerset 4th July 2021

Wiscombe Park Hill Climb

Saturday 8th May 2021

The Allard team – Chris Pring J2, Dave Loveys K1 and James Smith J1

On a wet Saturday three Allards competed at Wiscombe Park Hill Climb. Despite their best efforts Chris Pring in his J2 and Dave Loveys in his K1 were unable to better James Smith’s time of 63.06.

James SmithAllard J163.06
Dave LoveysAllard K163.58
Chris PringAllard J263.82

Photo thanks to Gwyneth Wright


DRIVE IT DAY 25th APRIL 2021

Three club members met up for Drive it Day on Sunday 25th April. Can you identify the three cars, make and model. The combined age of the cars was 230 years.

Prescott Final 16-17th October 2020

Goodwood Test Day for the Allard JR 31 August 2021

Chris Pring (OZ4444) and Mark Butterworth




Dave Lovey’s K1
Sunday 
 
Dave loveys.                Allard K1. No 174.   = best time 67.69
Chris Pring                  Allard J2.  No 153.  =   best time 66.47.     2nd in class
Mark Butterworth.   Allard J2.  No 154. =    best time 66.77.     3rd in class
 
 Saturday 
Josh Sadler.                  Porsche.  RS 3.0.          Best time 56.43
 
Also link to the    Live streaming from Prescott featuring the three Allards      https://youtu.be/uqzxYA8A2Bg

Bentley Drivers Club Meeting Silverstone

22 August 2020

Oliver’s J2 and Mark’s Ballamy
Bentley Drivers Club held their 2020 race meeting behind closed doors.
This must be the first BDC Silverstone that Jim has missed in many years. However we did manage to see club members competing with a truly stunning race for Oliver in the J2 

Photo call,   
Two linked YouTube videos for the event 

!. being the overall footage issued by BDC which gives a general overview for thousands like myself who missed being there.
https://youtu.be/iEkUEaVhKoQ
2. Olivers onboard footage showing the stalled start / missing a spinning lotus and the climb back through the field / pit stop and an overall win. 
https://youtu.be/4XFOSYs37wk

Ron

The Club at the NEC November 2019

Classic car show award for best small club stand

The Allard Sports Cars JR was tested round Goodwood and wass lapping sun 1 minute 40.

SILVERSTONE CLASSIC

AOC trip to Ireland

5th-12th Oct 2018

An impressive collection of Allards shown at the Brandon House Hotel County Wexford Ireland. From the left Peter Love’s P1 James Smith’s L Type and two M types belonging to  Darell Allard and Mel Herman. And yes the last car is not an Allard but the Hon Sec’s Jaguar, his Allard being indisposed. Unfortunately Sheila Tiller’s L type suffered terminal big end failure so did not make the picture. This was the last day of a memorable trip by nineteen members of the club to Ireland organised by Mel Herman.  Many thanks Mel and to Stenna Line and the Irish Tourist Board who supported the trip.

AOC CONCOURS Hatfield House Herts

9th July 2017

The Club held its annual concours on Sunday 9th July at Hatfield House. Steve Taylor (Palm Beach) and Mel Herman (M Type) won an award from the organizers  for best Car Club cars and Mel also won ” Best car in the show”.

Among the club awards Tim Baker won two prizes for his P type and the J2 replica and James Smith won best competition car with his bright red J1

The sun shone throughout and altogether another enjoyable Allard event


best

The Allard Owners Club has won the prize for best stand under 75 m at the Practical Classic Car and Restoration show. Well done to Mel and his team. Here they all are “helping” Dave Loveys work on his car. Maybe a case of “too many cooks”

Chris Gough’s M type with Chris working on the woodwork and clearly impressing his audience.


THE ALLARD OWNERS CLUB WIN  FIRST PRIZE FOR BEST SMALL CAR CLUB STAND AT THE CLASSIC CAR SHOW AT THE NEC .

nec-award-picThe Allard  team lead by Mel Herman (centre) collect the award at the show. The theme was Heroes and Heroines so Sydney and Eleanor Allards’ exploits were much featured along with those of Mary Ellis, a WW11 pilot and once Allard competitor

nec161 The ex Len Potter J1 in the foreground and Dave Haley’s K1 just visible behind.

nec162

The M Type Coupe owned by John Alderidge  with the P1 of Dave Loveys behind.

nec16-3The much admired ex Sydney J2 now owned by John Peskett.

JAMES SMITH’s J1 AT CASTLE COMBEhopetd_03281

James Smith enjoying himself at a Charity Track Day at Castle Combe at the end of September in his J1 newly repainted in Allard Red. Over £2000 was raised for the charity ‘ Hope for tomorrow’

Beamish Reliability Run

Sunday 19th June 2016

This 150 mile event is for Vintage cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles registered before 1956. The Run  begins at Beamish, and follow a 150 mile route around County Durham and North Yorkshire.

Three Allards took part this year Dave Loveys in his P1 James Smith in his L type and Sam Sammels,who won the gold cup in his K1.

beamish-2016-jpg

ALLARD  at the CLASSIC CAR SHOW  NEC Birmingham (13-15th Nov 2015)

Patrick White’s beautifully restored Allard J1, HLP 5 was the centre piece on the club stand at the Lancaster Classic Car show at the NEC Birmingham. Also on the stand were Steve Taylor s concours winning Palm Beach Mk 1 and Russel Cook s immaculate L type.

nec 2015 2


Allard is back !

To us, the Allard name needs no introduction, but to those less ‘in the know’ a little explanation is often required. Even with a good number of Allards produced and some high-profile competition success, the Allard name is sadly often forgotten. Recorded at last year’s NEC Classic Motor Show, this short video provides a quick overview of Allard history, including some wonderful historic film footage, and the family’s aims and ambitions for the future of the Allard Motor Company, including the launch of a continuation run of FIA-spec Allard JR’s.

Hear what Sydney’s son Alan and grandson Lloyd have to say here :

https://youtu.be/Hq47jh9JQCQ

24.07.15


Young-gun !

Following-on from our previous ‘Season start’ article, some sunny in-car and ‘throttle-cam’ footage has recently been posted on YouTube by Oliver Llewellyn, showing his outstanding 5th place finish in the 1950’s Sportscar race at VSCC Silverstone a couple of weeks ago. His Father’s ex-Albert Otten Cadillac powered J2 is obviously in capable young hands as soon after the start we see older and more experienced drivers of Lotus 15’s and HWM’s spin off in all directions. Well-done Oliver, we look forward to watching more of your success in the near future !

01.05.15


Tailwagging !

Those who have studied the basics of the Allard story should be well-aware of early Allard successes in Trial events. A team of Allard Specials (named the ‘Tailwaggers’)  and the early J1 production models were built primarily with Trialling in mind – thanks to the low-down punch of the early flathead Ford V8 engines, these cars found success throughout the UK in Trial competitions from Lands End to Ben Nevis !

Today, thanks to some hardy AOC Members, the Allard Trialling success continues. This short and bouncy video clips shows AOC Member Robert Robinson Collins competing in his Allard J1 in the 2015 Lands End MCC Trial held at the end of March. Great climb Robert !

https://youtu.be/ATrtANzxoJ4

30.04.15


Sydney’s Prescott perch

Sydneys-seat

Prescott Hill Climb, near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, was the scene of many Allard successes throughout the immediate post-war years and into the 1950’s. In 1949 it was the venue where Sydney Allard finally clinched the British Hillclimb Championship in his formidable Steyr engined single-seater Allard. (The true ‘guts and glory’ of that moment is captured perfectly in the painting by Graham Turner shown below).

1450336_696587590353714_1697776458_n

50 years after The Guv’nor claimed the title, a small group of AOC Members fronted by John Peskett (the current custodian of the ex-Sydney and Eleanor prototype Allard J2, much raced at Prescott)  commemorated the occasion with the unveiling of a painting, plaque and a memorial bench at Prescott.

The natural topography of Hill Climb courses often makes for tired spectators legs, so if you need a breather the next time you visit Prescott, take a seat with Sydney ! Tailwagger Editor and regular Prescott competitor Mike Knapman is shown in the top photo doing just that. Mike has yet to confirm whether any of Sydney’s Prescott secrets ‘rubbed off’ and converted themselves into class winning times…!

The first date of the 2015 Prescott season where Allard’s will be competing is the ‘La vie en Bleu’ meeting to be held on Saturday 23 May.

30.04.15


Season start !

J2-silverstone-02J2-silverstone-03

The Vintage Sports Car Club Silverstone Spring Start on April 18 marked the ‘official’ opening to the 2015 racing season. Spotted in the paddock was the Allard J2 of Roger Hayes, who after a few years off, has now rejoined the AOC –  welcome back Roger. Under the Silverstone sunshine the J2 looked wonderful in its period silver-over-red colour scheme. It is somewhat refreshing to see ‘as original’ painted wire wheels making a comeback rather than the bling of chrome.

On track, The George Abecassis Trophy race featured Mark Butterworth in his faithful red K3 (18th overall) and Tom Walker’s J2X Le Mans (DNF). In the 1950’s sportscar race, Oliver Llewellyn guesting in Father Tim’s J2 Allard, finished an excellent 5th overall while Tony Bianchi’s Farrallac succumbed to an unusual DNF.

25.04.15


newlook-Register

New-look Allard Register

Congratulations are in order to our friends across the pond at the Allard Register, who have just launched there fresh new-look website. Fast, easy to navigate and fully responsive (can we draw an Allard analogy here..?) the new site is crammed with almost endless Allard content. Well done to Colin Warnes and the team !

To view the new-look Register, please click here: www.allardregister.org

14.02.15


 

Sydney-facebook

The Guv’nor goes social !

From twin engines to supercharging and fibre glass, Sydney Allard was ever-curious of new technologies and innovation – it is therefore no surprise to see him embracing the phenomenon of social media with his own Facebook page. To date, he has 40+ ‘followers’ who have posted varied photos, recollections and articles, all Sydney and Allard related. Love it or hate it, Facebook is an opportunity to spread the Allard word and ‘meet’ or befriend global followers of Sydney and the Allard marque. Join-up and follow for yourself by searching ‘The Guv’nor – Sydney Allard 1910-1966’ in Facebook, or click here:  The Guv’nor – facebook

13.02.15

 


Allardette-1963

A happy and safe 2015 !

The Allard Owners Club wishes all Members, followers and Allard advocates a happy and safe 2015. If your Allardette encounters snow, just as Sydney and Tom Fisk did on the Monte Carlo Rally in 1963, remember to ‘keep it planted’ !

01.01.15


Angouleme Circuit des Remparts 2014

Remparts-2014-paddock-3

Two Allards were spotted in the sunny paddock at the famous street race in Angouleme, (South-West France), last September. The well-travelled black J2 of Patrick Watts, and the relatively unseen K2 of Frenchman Bruno Rigoli, which, with it’s striking green and black paint job, the car was difficult to miss !

As yet, it has been impossible to find final results for the event, the only real highlight we can report on is Patrick Watts misfortune during Sunday morning practice as victim of the infamous J2 ‘bonnet lift’ ! Strapped in and with his vision blocked by the piece of vertical and bent aluminium Patrick’s practice session came to an abrupt end. Many J2’s have fallen victim to this phenomenon, more often than not the result of high speed wind flow being unable to escape. With the twisty 1.3km Angouleme circuit being relatively slow in top speeds, we can only assume that, as usual, Patrick must have been pedaling quite quickly !

01.01.15


Monaco Historic Grand Prix 2014

No less than five Allards are entered for the 9th Historic Grand Prix of Monaco that takes place in the principality next weekend. The J2’s of Patrick Watts, Till Bechtolsheimer and Bob Francis are joined by the J2X’s of Italian Massimiliano Bettati and American Alan Patterson, in the ‘Serie C’ sports car race.

It is a little known fact that the 1952 Monaco Grand Prix was held for sports cars – Two J2X Allards were entered in the hands of Anthony Hulme from england and Fernando Mascarenhas from Portugal. The race hit the headlines because of a multiple pile-up at Ste Devote, involving the Reg Parnell Aston Martin DB3S, Stirling Moss’s C type Jaguar, Robert Manzon’s Gordini and the Hume J2X. Moss managed to restart and won the race, however, he was later disqualified from the results for receiving outside help from marshals. Vittortio Marzotto in a Ferrari took the laurels, from Eugenio Castelloti in a similar car. The below photo shows the aftermath of the Monaco mayhem with Hume extracting himself from the J2X.

monaco-allard-2

The AOC wishes all drivers taking part a successful weekend – a full report of the results will follow.

Thanks to David Hooper for the feature. Photo credits to Michael Hewitt.
04.05.2014


Allards stomp Silverstone

K3--L-SilverstoneBloxham-J2XLMBloxham-J2The Vintage Sports Car Club held their annual Silverstone Spring Start meeting beneath blue skies on the weekend of 12/13 April. Marking the traditional start of the racing season, the weekend is always eagerly awaited, and this years event did not disappoint – Headlining the meeting was an all ERA race, which celebrated the 80th birthday of Britain’s most successful pre-war racing car in fine style. The Allard marque was present in all shapes and sizes, with Mark Butterworth’s Allard K3 and Tony Bianchi’s Farrellac competing in the unlimited 50’s Sports racing car event, while Till Bechtolsheimer’s J2 and Tom Walker’s J2X Le Mans model battled it out in the FISCAR run George Abecassis Trophy race race for ‘road-going’ fifties sportscars…

Also sporting racing overalls was California based Australian Kerry Horan, ex-custodian of the Steyr Allard – Kerry had flown over from the US to drive his rare Australian Trenberth 500cc single seater in the 1950’s F3 race. John Peskett’s delightful ‘old English white’ P1 special graced the Butterworth pit on Saturday – with John unable to attend on Sunday, the K3 was instead joined by a beautifully restored L Type Allard.

The racing provided some great results for the Allards. Despite bogging down off the line, the Bechtolshemier J2 finished a solid 3rd overall in the 30 minute FISCAR race, with the Walker J2XLM, in 4th, one second behind. In the 50’s sports racing car event, Tony Bianchi took the Farrellac to 4th, with the Butterworth K3 finishing 18th overall and 4th in class hampered by unexpected water loss.

From the 24 litre Napier engined Bentley, original Brooklands racers, to a Le Mans winning D type Jaguar, any VSCC meeting provides spectacular variety, and is well worth a visit.

(photo credits Jeff Bloxham/FISCAR) 16.04.14


Calling concours Allards

SquireFor those of you with a penchant for polishing, the Downside Abbey & School in Radstock, Bath are holding a Concours d’Elegance on the afternoon of May 4th. The event is open to all pre-1984 classics, and will honour ex-Downside pupil, Adrian Squire and his cars. Adrian left Downside in 1926 to become an apprentice at Bentley Motors, learning the trade that would later help him produce his exquisite Squire sports cars (pictured).

Entry to the Concours is free, with donations to the restoration of Downside Abbey appreciated. For those wishing to join the celebrations by enter, please complete the online entry form by clicking here: www.downside.co.uk/concours

16.04.14


Goodwood reunion

TP-1TP4TP2TP3Exactly 60 years after selling the car, ex-racer Tony Page was reunited with his old Allard J2 at the 72nd Goodwood Members meeting on the 29-30th March. Tony, now a spritely 85 years old, made the trip specially to Goodwood to see the car that he bought directly from Sydney Allard in 1950. The car, (#99J 1971) was raced by Sydney in both the Targa Florio and Mille Miglia events, is now owned by Canadian Bob Francis, who campaigns it regularly in historic events, including the Goodwood Revival, and the Le Mans Classic.

When asked of his recollections of racing the car Tony said ; “I loved every minute of it. I bought the J2 because it had a far better power to weight ratio than the Jaguar XK120 of the time: over 300bhp and less than a tonne, so it really went.” When quizzed on the Allards ‘Hot-rod’ reputation he added, : “It is true, the J2 was not an outstanding handling car even for its time. I remember once, racing at Snetterton, I followed an Allard J2X into a corner, and although the cars looked virtually identical the car in front had full lock on because of the understeer, and I had full opposite lock on because there was so much oversteer!”

In Tony’s honour, the venerable Allard finished a superb 6th overall in The Peter Collins Trophy race, just behind ex Grand Prix driver Jochen Mass driving a Mercedes factory prepared 300SL Gullwing.

For the full article reporting on Tony’s J2 reunion, please go to the Goodwood website here: Goodwood Reunion.

(Credits to Goodwood Motor Circuit) 31.03.14


Techno_Classica_logoTechno-Classica Essen 2014

The 2014 Techno-Classica show in Essen, Germany  (March 26-30) will again feature an Allard Continental Owners Group Stand (#105, hall 3), headed-up by Hans-Albert Oppenborn, with Darell Allard also present. Allard’s on display will include a Cadillac racing engined Palm Beach MKI and a MType drop-head Coupe. There will be a meeting of members of the Allard Continental Group on Saturday March 29 starting at 12:15h, followed by the now traditional ‘Allard lunch’ at 12:45h at the Bistro Schloss Hugenpoet in hall 3. If you would like to attend the lunch, please make a reservation directly with Hans-Albert Oppenborn by email : h.a.oppenborn@onlinehome.de  or telephone +49 (0)1774441015 . To visit the Techno Classica web site please click here : www.siha.de

25.03.14


Shabby ChicChapal-J2-1Chapal-J2-2Chapal-detail-5Chapal-J2-motor

The sole representative of the Allard marque at this years Retromobile show in Paris at the beginning of February, was the delightfully original 1950 J2 of French AOC member, Jean-François Bardinon.

Jean-Francois has owned J2 #1572 for many years, and is adamant to keep it looking as ‘lived-in’ as possible. The car runs a standard 3.9 litre Ford flathead, original Ford 3 speed gearbox, and even sports a very rare full-width windscreen. Jean François is perhaps France’s most avid Allardist, also part-owning a Chrysler engined J2X, that he co-drove at the first Le Mans Classic event. Jean François is also responsible for the ‘Coupe des Printemps’ event, held every Spring at the famous Montlhéry circuit just south of Paris. If you want to let your Allard loose on a banked curves, Montlhéry is the place! Chapal-detail-1The Allard took pride of place in front of a mock 1950’s Le Mans pit, which doubled-up as a display for Jean François ‘Chapal’ brand of exquisite leather clothing. The Chapal range, unsurprisingly, is centred around classic driving attire, with some seriously chic driving coats, ‘blouson’, helmets, driving shoes and gloves. His Chapal website is certainly worth a look, if you navigate to ‘Chapal dans le Monde’ / ‘Evenements’, the J2 features throughout. Click here: www.chapal.fr

If your French is up to it, the Allard was filmed at the Retromobile show, and includes a short interview with Jean-François. Entitled “The treasures of Retromobile”, the start of the clip features a Chapal representative explaining how the seats of the Allard were restored through Chapal, using Bull leather, as bull’s don’t go through childbirth and thus their hide is thus stretch mark free – It’s all about quality !

06.03.2014


Allard victory in 1950 Circuit of Ireland Trial.

Some wonderful photographs and a special story emerge after AOC Member (and ex Des Titterington Allard J2 owner) Chris Pring took part in the Cultra Hillclimb last year. 

Capture-Driving-testsIt is hard to overstate the achievements of S H Allard and the Allard Motor Company in turning out a succession of winning cars during those glorious few years shortly after the end of the Second World War. The J2, with its road racing prowess, is the most successful of all, but across the range the unique Allard mix stole the show at one time or another. Two years before Sydney’s famous Monte Carlo win in the P1, another tourer – an M type – won the 1,000 mile 1950 Circuit of Ireland Trial. A note in the record books records the victory: ‘Dermot Johnson, Gertie Johnson, M. Johnson (Belfast), 120.5 marks lost’. The M stands for Michael and I had the pleasure of meeting him and his family at the Cultra Hillclimb in Northern Ireland in June last year. (Photo left): The Johnson M type completes a driving test. Michael’s life is steeped in cars and motorsport, a passion inherited from his father and flamed by dint of geography: he was raised in a house at the foot of Craigantlet Hillclimb. Each year in August his heroes would arrive outside his front gate to tackle the hill, then, as now, a round of the British Hillclimb Championship.  Armed with a box brownie and autograph book Michael was able to mingle freely with the drivers and their cars in a relaxed atmosphere unimaginable today. “Sydney Allard was a lovely man”, he remembers fondly, “Nothing was too much trouble” A fact borne out by the photograph below. It shows 12 year old Michael looking on – wearing his cherished Allard and Austin lapel badges – while SHA’s autograph is delivered from behind the wheel of the Steyr Allard during the 1949 event. Sydney, of course, went on to win FTD, breaking the hill record in the process, and in due course clinching the 1949 British Hillclimb Championship. (Below photo): Michael Johnson and Sydney Allard.Michael-&-Sydney   Capture-fettlingCapture-COI-team-1950It was the following year that the Johnsons were to cement their own place in the Allard history books. The Circuit Ireland Trial, organised by the Ulster Automobile Club, was run over a 1040 mile road course roughly following Ireland’s coastline and finishing at Nutts Corner near Dundrod in the north. Along the way were a series of driving tests that were designed to measure the skill of the driver and the versatility of the car. The driver with the fewest marks lost was the overall winner and winner of the U.A.C. Challenge Trophy.  Other trophies were awarded for best visiting driver, best lady driver, best novice and best team. The husband, wife and son Johnson team consisted of Dermot Johnson (driver), Gertie Johnson (navigator) and Michael Johnson (auxiliary navigator) in their Allard M type, registration number MZ 1201. Michael, now aged 13, sat in the back seat operating a winding pace notes contraption, consisting of a roll of toilet paper scribbled with copious notes, similar to that used by Jenks and Moss in the Mille Miglia five years later. Press reports from the period pinpoint one crucial test that was to give Dermot Johnson an unassailable lead: ‘At Lockstown he won the trial, not on speed, but because his car could travel at a slower pace in top gear than any other in the trial’. The versatility of the M type’s Ford flathead V8 and three speed gearbox will be familiar to most Allard owners! They managed to hold onto that lead right through to Nutt’s corner where the report continues: ‘Cool and accurate driving in the two remaining tests recorded performances that were good enough to maintain his position’. (Photo top): Dermot Johnson fettling the M type during the trial. (Photo bottom): The Allard during a rest break. The man carrying the picnic is Chris Lindsay, winner of the 1949 Trial. Capture-Johnson-with-trophiesFor the young Michael Johnson, who recorded much of the event with his box brownie, it was a dream come true. In the photo left, the family proudly display the trophies won that day. (Photo): Michael Johnson, Gertie Johnson and Dermot Johnson with the trophies. The results record another Allard success on the event: 2nd place with 124.8 marks lost, and winner of Castlereagh Trophy for the best visiting driver, was B. D. S. Glinn in an Allard L type. By now Michael was a firm Allard nut and he remembers the family receiving a Christmas card from Sydney each year. Soon he would meet Peter Collins racing his J2 in the 1951 Tourist Trophy at Dundrod and local hero Desmond Titterington competing in the Festival of Britain J2. Titterington was a friend of the family and Michael has vivid memories and his own photographs of his Leinster Trophy triumph at Wicklow in 1952. When we met he told me he regretted not buying a J2 although he did buy one of the Allard JRs at one point (I haven’t established which one it was, but at the time of the acquisition it was painted blue and fitted with a jaguar engine).  He quickly sold it on: “A dreadful car – wrong engine and you sat on it rather than in it”!

The motorsport tradition continues in the Johnson family to this day: Michael himself won the pre-war class at Craigantlet as recently as 2011 driving an Alfa Romeo 8C, and sons Andy and Dermot can be found competing in vintage events in an Alfa Romeo Monza and Salmson GS8, respectively (their introduction to competition driving started when Michael bought their mother a Peugeot 205 GTI, that just happened to have a roll cage fitted…). Sadly the whereabouts of MZ 1201 is unknown; I have a hunch that if it were, it would occupy a special place in the Johnson collection. Chris Pring.

(The AOC offers sincere thanks to Michael Johnson and his family for yet another Allard success story and the kind loan of his superbly evocative family album photos).

26.02.2014


JR to return to Le Mans.

NLN650NLN650-LM-1953German AOC member, Hans Hubner, has recently received confirmation that his entry application for the 2014 Le Mans Classic has been accepted. Hans is the current custodian of #JR 3403, the car that was last raced at Le Mans in 1953 by Zora Arkus Duntov and Ray Merrick (see left). Acceptance of his entry is hardly a surprise considering the rarity of competition JR’s, and it is great to know that NLN 650 is to be used for what it was intended, rather than resigned to a cosseted museum piece. In proof that the car is capable of great things, below is Duntov’s report of the JR’s speed distribution at Le Mans in 1953.Duntov-LM53 A keen AOC contingent has already signed-up for a trip to Le Mans 4-6th July to support Hans who will be racing in ‘Plateau deux’ for cars of 1949-54 vintage. Let’s hope all goes to plan and the car blows away the C Type’s on the Mulsanne, with Hans doing exactly what Sydney did in the sister car in 1953, by leading by over a minute at the end of lap 1 !

For those Members interested in joining the party, please contact Darell Allard via the Contacts page.

22.02.2014

 


Let the fun begin !

jtbc-silcverstone

We are well and truly into 2104, the AOC wishes all Allard-ists a great year of Allard-ing. To those owners of  cars spending the winter in a very damp UK, we hope all have survived flood damage – Spring is just around the corner and April showers will be nothing in comparison ! To mark the start of another sporting season, we show above Jim Tiller in his famous J2 and Brian Croot in the JR chassised Sphinx Allard at Siverstone in the mid sixties. At this time, the Sphinx was fitted with a straight six Jaguar engine, replacing the Armstrong Siddeley ‘6’ that Tommy Sopwith originally installed in the car. Even with the Tiller J2 looking relatively under-developed in comparison to the car today, it is still obvious that the Sphinx is pretty much on the ragged edge while trying to hang on – Brian is perhaps regretting the performance of the eight Amal carburettors that he sold to Jim at around about this time ! 22.02.2014

 


Season’s greetings from the AOC

AOC-Christmas-2013The Allard Owners Club wishes its members and all followers of the Allard marque a wonderful Christmas and a safe and prosperous 2014. Most parts of Britain and Europe have so far escaped the snow, however, if it does arrive, make sure you drive as well as Sydney did on that famous ‘Monte’ in 1952.


Klausenrennen climb

This new youtube clip shows native Swiss Alain Ruede stomping up the famous Klausen pass in his Allard J2 at the 2013 September event commemorating the historic hill climb. The 21,5 km Swiss apline pass was a premium venue for international hill-climbing from 1922-1934, and is remembered most for the heroic exploits of Caracciola, Stuck and Nuvolari in their monsterous ‘silver arrow’ Auto Unions and Mercedes Benz Grand Prix cars. The KlausenRace Memorial always attracts a stunning entry, undoubtedly due to the large number of delectable cars residing in Switzerland. Alain Ruede is the current custodian of Allard J2 #2090, (below) recently acquired from the US. allard_j2-2090_1000_02

To visit the informative KlausenRace web site click here www.klausenrennen.com

16.12.2013


AOC at the Classic Motor Show 

J2X-Le-Mans-NEC-2013Pring-J2-NECLe-Mans-JR-NEC-2013[4]Chris-Pring-J2-NEC-2013[4]John-Peskett-J2-NEC-2013[4]The colourful Allard Owners Club stand captured the hearts and minds of many who visited the Classic Motor Show at the NEC on November 15-17. The stand, built to the usual professional standards by AOC Committee Representative, Mel Herman, with the help of an enthusiastic team of AOC helpers, almost stole the show, finishing as runner-up in the voting for Best Club Stand – no mean achievement considering the high number of Clubs represented at what is now the UK’s premium Classic Car show.

This year’s stand celebrated mainly Allard competition models, comprising; the prototype Allard J2, which Sydney and Eleanor raced regularly, now owned by Jon Peskett; the Chris Pring ex-Des Titterington flathead engined J2; the beautifully patinated ex-Rupert de Larrinaga J2X Le Mans, now owned and campaigned very effectively by Tommy Walker; and one of the two 1953 Le Mans JR’s, the no.5 car, as raced by Zoras Arkus Duntov and Ray Merrick. Centre stage was the slightly less racey ex-Earls Court motorshow MK3 Palm Beach Allard, freshly restored by Alan and Lloyd Allard, (a report on this special Allard will follow).

Considering the Allard talent on show, it is no surprise that the stand was awarded 3rd place overall when the event organisers voted for the Club displaying the ‘most interesting cars’. The Club offers it’s thanks to Mel Herman and the team, for their hard work in helping to keep the AOC and the Allard name firmly in the limelight.

(Report: Darell Allard, photo credits: Mel Herman).

28.11.2013

 

Cars and stars!

The Allard Owners Club stand at the 2013 Classic Motor Show held at the National Exhibition Centre on the 15-17 November was a great success. The stand included a wonderful selection of Allard’s, this time themed around Allard’s more sporting models, including the prototype J2 Allard raced by both Sydney Allard and his wife Eleanor. But it wasn’t just the cars – the stand was not only graced by Sydney’s son Alan and grandson Lloyd (fronting the Allard Motor Company), but also present was 1950’s Allard competitor Cyril Wick. Cyril and his brother Maurice were long-time friends of Sydney Allard, competing in many Allard models, including one of the pre-war Allard Specials, a J1, two M types and a J2. Sadly Maurice passed away in 1981, but Cyril, a current AOC member, is in fine fettle !

Such was the draw of the Allard Owners Club stand, Cyril and AOC Club Vice President Mike Knapman were interviewed by VFS Motor Racing videos. Cyril recounts his memories of his successes at Shelsley Walsh in with Rupert de Larrinaga in 1953, while sat in Tom Walkers J2X Le Mans Allard, the actual car that de Larrinaga competed in at that time. Our Vice President and Tailwagger Editor did well to précis the incredible Allard story into 5 minutes ! To view both interviews, and for a walk around the AOC stand, just click on play :

26.11.2013


Autumn Allard’s

Pring-PrescottPeskett-Special-PrescottPhotographer David Townley captured some beautiful shots of Allard’s in action at the end of season Prescott Hill Climb Autumn Classic event held over the weekend of 5th & 6th October. Selected examples of David’s work show Chris Pring’s ex Desmond Titterington red J2 Allard in action, and serial Allard special builder Jon Peskett, rounding Ettore’s hairpin in his latest british racing green creation. Long-time Prescott competitor Jon also owns the prototype J2 Allard (KXC 170), but, for perhaps obvious reasons, seems to prefer throwing his special up the hills, which he did with great effect at the Atumn Classic meeting with a best time of 62.90 seconds. In comparison Chris Pring’s flathead engined J2 made abest climb of 64.85 seconds. Other Allard’s were entered, including AOC Club Captain David Loveys in his K1 (best time of 59.85 seconds), Tim Baker in his J2 replica (67.21) and ‘Tailwagger’ editor Mike Knapman in his Allard special (65.63). Peter Thurston was sharing the Peskett special with a best time of 60.91 seconds. Unfortunately Mark Butterworth’s raucous Cadillac engined Allard K3 had to scratch from the meeting due to trailer problems !

The Prescott Autumn Classic, is a relatively new addition to the Bugatti Owners Club calendar, with a strong focus on ‘Americana’ it offers the opportunity for many early hot-rods to run in a dedictaed flathead class.

(Photo credits: David Townley/Blu Jaguar).

13.11.2013


Allards on view this weekend

NEC 2011allard-palm-beach-1956Palm Beach AlanThere will be double Allard interest at the National Exhibition Centre this weekend for the 2013 Classic Motor Show. As is tradition, The AOC will be present on Stand 12-740, with the usual strong showing of Allard models and information. Also present will be The Allard Motor Company, now run by Sydney Allard’s son Alan and grandson Lloyd. On display will be their extensive range of aluminium motorsport products aswell as the 1956 Earls Court Motor Show Allard Palm Beach MK11, that they have recently restored to (unsurprisingly) excellent standards. Shown left is the Palm Beach at the Earls Court Motorshow in 1956 and the car, pre-restoration, with a smiling Alan standing behind.

If you are planning to visit the UK’s premier Classic Car Show, do stop by for some Allard natter ! It is hoped that a report of the show, with photos, will be uploaded shortly after the event.

13.11.2013


Time travel

time-travel-dragster-wheelsbrian_sparrow_pics_386“In the back of the truck a pair of wide steelies fitted with M&H Racemasters should the need arise for a bit more bite. Sadly the first run didn’t happen due to a fuel blow-back fracturing the fuel line and on the second attempt they found that the blow-back had affected the ignition timing and Sydney could only splutter down the quarter mile”. This is the caption that accompanies the wonderful photograph by Brian Sparrow of the Allard dragster rear wheels in the back of the works Allard truck. It seems as though the photo was taken at the 1961 Brighton Speed Trials, as Sydney’s spluttering run was rather disappointingly captured on film by the BBC who recorded that event. The photograph appears in the photo gallery section at www.timetraveldvds.co.uk, an excellent resource for the early years of sprint and drag racing in the UK.

Shown below the main image is another photograph from Brian’s collection, capturing again, the wonderfully laid back approach to race meetings in the early sixties – here the dragster  is shown at Long Marston aerodrome where Sydney achieved 12 second runs on the quarter mile.

The web site is well worth a visit, as well as photos, dvd’s of early film can be ordered. Click on the link in the text to take you directly to the site. (photo credits Brian Sparrow/www.timetraveldvds.co.uk).

04.11.2013


Old Fella at Silverstone

Here is the latest ‘YouTube’ evidence of ex AOC Club Captain Jim Tiller in action at the Silverstone Bentley Drivers Club meeting back in August. The footage shows Jim taking part in the Allcomers handicap race – everything is seemingly going to plan until the ‘Old Fella’ is surprisingly buzzed by MGB’s going through the Brooklands complex of corners. Something is obviously amiss, as MGB’s don’t usually pose much of a problem to the 8 litre orange J2… This is confirmed by Jim pulling up to a halt a few seconds later on the start/finish straight, with what sounds like transmission failings. Knowing Jim, whatever broke will soon be sorted !

13.10.2013


The Other Steyr

AJB-Steyr-1950_prescott It is well documented that Sydney Allard and the success he attained in the cars that bore his name was responsible for influencing the thoughts of a many, be it builders of hill climb specials or Caroll Shelby and his Cobra ethos. In 1950, the year following Sydney Allard’s British Hill Climb Championship win with the Steyr Allard, Irish engineer Archie James Butterworth arrived on the hill climb and sprint scene with another single seater Steyr engined Special. Based around a Willys jeep chassis, the £300 AJB Steyr was less refined than the elegant Steyr Allard, but that did nothing to hinder its effectiveness – much the performance attributed to its four-wheel drive system. David Hooper, Chief Engineer of the Allard Motor Company at that time, remembers the effect that the rudimentary Butterworth creation had on Sydney and future Allard competition.

In David’s words : “Of the Butterworth Special, I am not sure of who first thought of using the Steyr engine, however both cars competed in the same era. One fact is that the car started Sydney’s interests in 4 wheel drive – he noted  how quickly Butterworth got away from a start line. I think there is a reference in the Tom Lush book (‘The Inside Story’) that mentions comparative times between the two cars for the first 50/60 feet at Prescott. The penalty was that the Butterworth FWD system was slower in the corners. I recall that Archie once beat Sydney at the Brighton Speed Trials, also earning Fastest Time of the day. Colour, from memory the AJB was green (Irish linked) while the Allard body was never painted, being polished aluminium – saving weight! For ‘our’ Steyr, we were lucky to have obtained a copy of a War Department detailed report on the engine which gave a comprehensive analysis of the workings, which was a considerable help in getting Alfin barrels made to replace the German cast iron barrels, along with racing pistons. Sydney decided to use methanol fuel and like the AJB no attempt was made to provide any air cooling. In keeping with German racing design a hemi-spherical combustion chamber was used, and while using relatively small inlet and exhaust valves, there was the potential for a substantial increase in diameter. The crankshaft was unusual in having it’s counter weights bolted on. At least two of Sydney’s engines were seriously damaged when one of these came off. When one engine was stripped for inspection we found that an oil gallery had been blocked – clearly sabotaged !  Further development took place on the Allard engine with new head being made, their design followed the 500cc JAP engine, while the AJB had new heads based on the Norton GP 500cc engine.

The capacity of the 1949 Allard single seater stayed at 3.7 litres, and produced in the region of 165 BHP, while the AJB was (I believe 4.5 litres Formula one max of that period) and produced nearer 250 BHP. The weight of the Allard was claimed to be in region of 13 cwt, with the AJB being some 2-3 cwt heavier – based on a Jeep chassis with FWD and live axles front and rear. Clearly the Allard handled better with its front split axle and de dion rear axle. It is often forgotten that J2/J2X de Dion was a development from the hill climb car. For straight line sprints especially in the wet the AJB was faster than the Allard. Sydney purchased one of the 4.5 litre AJB engines from Roy Salvadori who had a plan to put it in a formula one rear engined Cooper, which we fitted in the two seater Steyr Allard, with a de Dion rear axle, and for the first time used McPherson type front suspension. We established some very competitive 1/4 mile times, until the engine threw a rod due to a loss of oil pressure due to a bolt coming out of the camshaft oil gallery”. Butteworth-Steyr-1950_brdc_intl_trophy__silverstoneBill-Milleken-AJB-SteyrAJB-todayArchies-Scott-Brown-&-Butterworth

So what became of the AJB Steyr? The flamboyant Butterworth had dreams of racing his creation in the higher echelons, entering the car in the 1950 BRDC International Trophy race at Silverstone, – although the car instantly became the worlds first 4WD formula 1 car, mixing it with current Grand Prix machines of the time sadly resulted in a broken crankshaft – Archie is pictured top left at the wheel in the Silverstone pits alongside the Farina 158 GP Alfa Romeo. Following a bad accident in the car in 1951, Archie decided enough was enough, (quote) “…it spent 3 years trying to kill me”, and subsequently put the car up for sale.

The car ended up in America, where it was ‘developed’, raced and even renamed ‘butterball’ due to it’s garish new yellow colour by William F Milliken (pictured in action left). The car has since been restored and now resides in the 4WD museum in Clintonville, Wisconsin (pictured left).

Archie Butterworth later went on to work with Elva sports cars, designing the AJB flat four engine, later fitted to an Elva MKIII and raced by the incredible and talented Archie Scott-Brown. The characterful Butterworth is pictured bottom left (with glass) and Scott Brown to his right.

(Thanks to David Hooper for his valuable recollections. Photo credits: internet- various).

13.10.2013


 

VSCC Snetterton

Farrallac-SnettertonTony Bianchi was back in action after his Spa weekend, this time ‘at home’ with the Farrallac, competing in the 1950’s sportscar race at the Vintage Sports Car Club Seaman Memorial Trophies meeting held at Snetterton on 29 September. True to form, Tony and his effective Don Farrell creation, finished first overall, 6.5 seconds head of Steve Hart’s Maserati 300S and Graham Paterson’s Lotus XI. With its old runway straights, Snetterton is very much a ‘power circuit’, thus suiting the ‘grunt’ of the 6.3 litre Cadillac engined Farrallac perfectly. gregory1gregory2A noteworthy entrant in the same race was Nick Leston (son of 50’s racing driver Les), driving the Gregory V8 (pictured left) – a flathead powered special built in 1952 by Bob Gregory for sprints and hill climbing. This interesting special, most certainly inspired by Allard’s success on the hills during the early fifties, was restored by UK hot-rod wizards Buckland Automotive. Click here www.bucklandautomotive.com for further photos and information.

Sadly, the success of the Snetterton VSCC meeting was overshadowed by the news that Bugatti T35B driver Stephen Jewell succumbed to injuries sustained during a practice accident. The Allard Owners Club offers its condolences to all affected by these tragic circumstances.

Photo credits Flikr.com and Buckland Automotive. 07.10.2013


J2’s jinxed at Spa

Francis-J2-spafrancis-J2-spa-2 francis-j2-spa-3A week after their damp Goodwood Revival outing, Canadian duo, Bob Francis and John Thompson were at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium with Francis’ globe-trotting J2 for the final round of the 2013 RAC Woodcote Trophy – one of the many supporting races to the main historic 6 hours endurance event. Unfortunately their Spa foray ended before it begun when the ex-Sydney Allard car (chassis #99J1971) cried enough during the first lap of qualifying practice, with terminal transmission failure. The pair were also running a Jaguar XK120 in a British Sports & GT challenge race, but the car also hit gremlins, losing its clutch in practice – to remedy this, the J2 gearbox was pulled apart in the paddock, its clutch plate removed and fitted to the XK, which worked well enough for the pairing to finish 14th in their class. The accompanying photos show the beautifully presented J2 during the ‘tear-down’.

Of equal misfortune, was the Till Bechtolsheimer Allard J2 (#99J1960), due to be shared with Farrallac owner Tony Bianchi in the same race. Till managed to go 1 lap better in practice than the Canadian team, but was forced to pit with engine problems, deemed serious enough to scratch from the race. MGB-spaHowever, (as seems to be the fashion with J2 owners), Till had also entered his MGB in the 6 hour race, again sharing the car with Tony Bianchi and also his MGB expert wife, Pia. With 109 cars taking the start, featuring no less than 10 extremely rapid Ford GT40’s and ex-F1 and Le Mans driver Jan Lammers in a 7 litre Grand Sport Corvette, the pale blue MG finished was the 4th of 13 MGB’s home. The ‘Allard’ team’s position could have undoubtedly improved without an annoying alternator problem – not quite what you need when night falls at Spa. 06.10.2013


Goodwood, Friday 13th …

J2-goodwood2013After seemingly endless Summer temperatures in the UK, the 2013 Goodwood Revival (Sept 13-15) was, in weather terms, rather less glorious than usual. The Freddie March Memorial Trophy for sports racing cars of the type that raced in the famous Goodwood 9 hour races of 1952-55, was held on the Friday evening preceeding the weekend.

Perhaps unsurprisingly the price for staging a motor race on Friday the 13th was a rainstorm of epic proportions. As in previous years the 90 minute race was staged at the end of the day, with competitors taking the chequered flag in darkness just as they did in the original 9 hour races of the fifties. This year the race was disrupted throughout with a long safety car period for a multi-car incident and a heavy ‘off’ involving the potential race-winning Ure/Wigley 2 seater Cooper Bristol. For Revival regulars, Bob Francis, John Thompson and Allard J2 LXR 949 (pictured), the greasy conditions were less than ideal to transmit the power of the Cadillac onto the Sussex tarmac. Despite qualifying mid-grid, the Canadian team dropped a couple of positions during the race, finishing 20th overall, with a best lap of 1:43.823. Their finishing position does however hide what was seemingly a great performance with their best lap being the 8th quickest overall from 31 starters. The race was won (as it was last year) by Young & Buncombe in the ex-Fangio Jaguar C type, with two further C’s filling 2nd and 3rd positions – To avoid the inevitable, it is perhaps time that the raucous blue American air force Allard JR is again entered for next years race…

(Photo credits Tim Scott, Sportscar Digest).

17.09.2013


Bentley boys

MB-BDC-2013JAT-BDC-2013The Bentley Drivers Club Silverstone meeting has long been a favourite haunt for Allard’s, with this years event on August 10 being no exception. Four Allards were present; Jim Tiller and his highly developed orange J2 ‘Old Fella’ (pictured), Tim Llewelyn’s rather more ‘standard’ J2, Mark Butterworth with his Cadillac engined K3 (pictured) and Ron Dowle with his J2 replica. Best result of the day went to Mark Butterworth who finished 3rd overall in the Allcomers Handicap race, but congratulations are due to all for flying the Allard flag !

(Report David Hooper, photo credits Tom Ellis/Flikr).

26.08.2013


Clipper clippings

Clipper-Hammond-museumClub Treasurer & Membership Secretary Darell Allard recently took his blue P Type to Kent to visit the late Edwin Hammond’s microcar museum in Staplehurst, where one of only three known surviving 1954 Allard Clippers is on display. The quirky museum is well worth a visit, however tours should be arranged by previous appointment. Darell’s photograph shows his P Type parked next to the Clipper, with Jean Hammond. On return from his visit, Darell dug out the following photograph from his Allard archives, showing his father Leslie (Sydney’s brother) at the wheel of what seems to be a lightweight competition version Clipper.. ! In the first of the (alleged) four passenger seats is a family friend from the Streatham Motorcycle Club – Darell is shown standing behind on the right, with a neighbour pal. Darell doesn’t know what became of the car, but can date the halcyon scene to 1956.Clipper-1956

(Photo credits Darell Allard).

25.08.2013


Italian exotica

vernascavernasca-4vernasca-3Massimo Bettati, current owner of Allard J2X (ORL 320) that was for many years campaigned by our current Club President Josh Sadler, kindly sent in the accompanying images from the 2013 Vernasca Silver Flag hill climb. Situated not far from Parma in the North of Italy, the 9km course is set in beautiful countryside about 30km south-east of Piacenza in the foothills of the Apennines.

The event is a ‘non-competitive’ re-run of what was for many years an important round of the Italian National hill climb Championship, that always attracted many of the intrepid Targa Florio regulars. Sadly the hill climb came to a crashing halt in the early 1970’s when an Abarth ended one of its runs in the bar of a hostelry in Lugagnano, an intermediate town en route to the summit of the climb at Vernasca. Today, the event attracts some wonderfully exotic machinery, mainly Italian Ferrari’s and Maserati’s, however, this year, all that was put to right by two Allard entries – Massimo’s J2X and, and a Verona based red J2, sporting the famous ‘8-ball’ number roundels.

(photo credits – Massimo Bettati). 25.08.2013


AOC Concours weekend

Pickering-weekend Ignoring the modern car park and the plastic ‘wheelie’ bins, this could be a scene from an Allard Owners Club pub meet in the late 1950’s ! It is in fact photographic record of the AOC Annual Concours event, held this year at Grosmont Station, near Pickering, North Yorkshire on 13-14 July, to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Grosmont classic vehicle show. Grosmont is a “1952 style British Rail Station” and forms part of the fully operational North Yorkshire Moors steam railway – This perfect Allard location welcomed a total of 14 cars, with a great mix of very presentable L, M, P, & K types, a Palm Beach, a J2 replica, and AOC Vice President Mike Knapman’s Allard special. The award for overall best car went to Mel Herman, best open car to Tim Baker and the best closed car to Darell Allard. The ‘furthest travelled’ award went to the ever present Sheila Tiller and ‘Eleanor’, her appropriately named and trusty L type.

The New Inn at Cropton (complete with its own brewery !) hosted most of the members for the weekend and also provided the venue for a 30 strong Club dinner on the Saturday night. The next AOC outing will be the Silverstone Classic meeting on 26-28 July – If the current heatwave continues the shade of the Club tent will be very much welcomed ! Report and photo Darell Allard

23.04.2013


Bonhams bargain J2 !

J21570-BonhamsJ21570-engineAllard chassis #99J1570, sold at the Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed auction on July 12 for a seemingly very reasonable £135,900.00 (including auction costs) – the low hammer price is undeniably attributed to it’s ‘non-standard’ 1960’s 4.2 litre Ford V8 (shown left). With a relatively small investment, this J2 that has the all-important competition provenance, could quite easily double in value if the new owner fits the car with an appropriate flathead Ford or Cadillac 331 unit. At the same auction, the ‘star attraction’ ex-Fangio Grand Prix W196 Mercedes, in wonderfully original condition, sold for £19.6 million. Considering the comparable usability and eligibility of the J2 to all the best historic race events, it was indeed a bargain buy !

(photo credits – Bonhams). 15.07.2013


Allards GapAllards-gap

Following the previous ‘Orchard study’ article, recounting Sydney and the Steyr Allards’ infamous Prescott hill climb countryside encounter, a quick internet search revealed a recent photo of the daunting semi-circle corner where Sydney got even more sideways than usual and left the road. It is quite evident that even to this day, there seems to be a very visible Steyr sized gap !

(photo credit – Chris Bound – Flickr.com). 12.07.2013


K1-LoveysJ2X-RMEJ2X-LM-WalkerJ2-rep-DowleKnapman-SpecialOrchard study

The Bugatti Owners Club ‘La Vie en Bleu’ meeting, held at the historic Prescott hill climb venue on 6 June, featured for the first time since the 1990’s an Allard Owners Club class. AOC members, Mike Brett (Ballamy Special), James Smith (‘Rellard’), Roger Murray Evans (J2X), Dave Loveys (K1), Ron Dowle (J2 replica) and Mike Knapman (‘John Pratt Special’) made up the class, with best times of 55.61 secs, 55.96 secs, 58.98 secs, 59.42 secs, 60.29 secs, 65.38 secs, respectively. A full report of the event can be found on page 19 of the July issue of The Tailwagger. Prescott has long been Allard stomping ground, with Sydney running there on many occasions, most notably in the Steyr Allard in which he famously won the British Hill Climb Championship in 1948. Sydney also set the sporstcar record with a time of 54.35 seconds at the very first Prescott event in May 1938, driving Ken Hutchinson’s V12 Lincoln-engined Allard Special. Eleanor Allard, Sydney’s wife and a highly talented competition driver in her own right also competed regularly at Prescott, giving the prototype Allard J2 it’s competition debut there in 1949.

To this day Sydney Allard is remembered at Prescott through the infamous ‘Allards Gap’ – Sydney ‘lost-it’ while rounding the daunting semi-circle corner before the finish straight, left the road and punched a hole through the hedge lining the side of the course. Sydney and the errant Steyr carerred down the severe drop that sits behind the semi circle, finally coming to rest at the bottom of the hill near to the course return road. Sydney’s brave hill climbing exploits are now remembered at Prescott by a bench and brass plaque, donated by the AOC in 1999, through the initiative of long-time Allardist and ‘first J2’ owner Jon Peskett.

While researching ‘Prescott & Allards’, the accompanying set of photos appeared through the miracle that is Google. Taken at ‘Orchard corner’ just after the start line, during the 2009 ‘La vie en Bleu’ meeting, they offer an interesting ‘ensemble’ of Allard models and Allard Specials doing what comes naturally to them on the famous hill. (Top to bottom ; Dave Loveys – Allard K1, Roger Murray Evans – Allard J2X, Tom Walker – Allard J2X Le Mans, Ron Dowle – J2 Replica, Mike Knapman – Allard Special).

Photo credits to Simon Hodson. 09.07.2013


How about a new JR ?allard-reborn-1

 

allard-reborn-3The Allard Motor Company, who in more recent times have been leading the way in specialised aluminium turbocharging and cooling products, have recently launched a handsome new web site to promote their manufacture of authentic continuation Allards.

This exciting news confirms that the Allard name moves into new realms and new audiences, with ‘genuine’ JR’s, now being built by the Allard family with the support of original Allard Motor Company engineers. The cars will be issued continuation chassis numbers, and have the same specification of the JR that Sydney raced (all be it briefly) at the Le Mans 24hr event in 1953. The cars will qualify for FIA HTP papers and therefore entry to all major historic racing events. The web site also includes a tantalising ‘build blog’ which will presumably track the key stages of JR production as well as the full restoration of the Company’s Allard Palm Beach.

To visit the dedicated site, click on either of the images. To access their myriad of aluminium magic click here www.allardaluminiumproducts.co.uk

04.07.2013


Bonhams Goodwood – Lot 306J2-Bonhams-01

There is not only a pukka ex-Fangio Grand Prix Merecedes up for grabs at the Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed Auction on July 12, but also an equally beautiful 1950 Allard J2. MWE 254, chassis number 1570, is currently fitted with (what appears to be) a 260 ci Ford V8 engine and a perhaps less unusual Alvis gearbox. According to the Bonham’s footnotes, throughout its life the car has had a number of engine configurations, including a Jaguar unit. Amongst the list of previous owners are ex British Hill Climb star Malcolm Dungworth, Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, and ex British Touring Car Champion and seasoned historic racer Frank Sytner. The auction estimate is a ‘reasonable’ £150-200,000, perhaps slightly low because of its non-standard engine.

For full details, visit the Bonhams web site page by clicking on the photo. 03.07.2013


Le Mans legacy continues

Watts-J2-Le-Mans_Bloxham Although the weather did its best to ruin the 90th anniversary of the Le Mans 24 hour event, the sparkling performances of two Allard J2’s in the supporting historic race ensured that the Allard Le Mans legacy continues, 60 years after the Allard Motor Company last appeared at Le Mans. Hot-shoe Allard racers Patrick Watts (above) and Till Bechtolsheimer (below) are most definitely making the best of their Allard ownership, their fun continuing at the famously fast 13.6 kilometer (8.5 miles) Le Mans circuit on 22-23 June. With this years ‘Le Mans Legends’ race open to cars of the type that ran at Le Mans between 1949-65, the 60 car grid included  Jaguar C & D types, AC Cobra’s, Aston Martin DB4’s, and a monstrous ISO Bizzarini. Despite damp and greasy race conditions, their performances were exemplary – Patrick finishing 14th overall and 1st in class ahead of two Jaguar C types, while Till, in only his second outing with the J2, finished 23rd overall and 4th in class. A wonderful performance for two of the oldest cars on the grid ! Till-J2-Le-Mans_Bloxham

Till Bechtolsheimer’s result is perhaps even more impressive considering he was forced to start from the last row of the grid following a penalty incurred for completing not enough practice laps – Tony Bianchi of Farrallac fame, who has been preparing the car for Till through his Racing Repertoire Company, started to qualify the car while its owner was still flying into France from his New York home ! Till arrived just in time to complete a couple laps of practice, but that was deemed not quite enough circuit experience by the race organisers. The main 24 hour event was again won by Audi, despite an impressive performance by Toyota who finished a strong 2nd with their magical hybrid technology on their Le Mans return.

The event was sadly marred by the fatal accident of Danish driver Allan Simonsen who succumbed to his injuries after losing control of his GT Aston Martin at the fast Tetre Rouge corner early in the race. The Allard Owners Club offers its condolences to all those affected by this tragic event. For the full Le Mans Legends race results please click on the below banner.

Le-Mans-banner (Photo credits courtesy of Jeff Bloxham/Motor Racing Legends).

03.07.2013


Festival of Britain J2 alive again !

Chris-Pring-OZ4444Following an extensive 12 year restoration, the ex-Desmond Titterington / ‘Festival of Britain’ Allard J2 is now up and running. Owner Chris Pring was seen smiling his way up the Cultra Hill Climb at Northern Ireland’s Ulster Folk and Transport museum on 1 June in this famous flathead powered car, with a best time in Class 1 of 51.81 seconds. ‘OZ 4444’ appeared on the Allard Motor Company’s Stand at the 1951 Festival of Britain, and was delivered soon after to Belfast driver Des Titterington, who immediately put the J2 to good use, winning the 1952 Leinster Trophy, and scoring an outright win at the 1953 Knockagh Hill Climb. With the car then powered by a 3917cc Ardun converted engine on 8 Amal carburettors, it was Titterington’s success with the Allard against more ‘refined’ machinery that helped him secure his famous drives with Ecurie Ecosse and the works Jaguar and Mercedes Benz teams.

It is wonderful to see this historically important Allard back in action and the AOC congratulate owner Chris Pring and Paul Wheldon at the Leiter Motor Company for the comprehensive rebuild – an incredible feat considering that the car was rescued from a scrapyard and spent much of it’s later life in cardboard boxes. The now stunning J2 is beautifully finished, right down to the perfectly positioned grille badges, that look just like they did in Titterington’s days (pictured below). Titterington-J2

 

Report by David Hooper, photo credits to www.classicandsportscar.com

 

11.06.2013

 


Sporting season in full swing

TB-J2-donington Sydney’s love for competition lives on with many Allard’s now out and about at speed and circuit events in the UK and Europe. Although a seasoned historic racer, Till Bechtolsheimer is an Allard newcomer, having his first outing in his J2 at the Donington Historic Festival on 4-5 May (pictured above). Chassis #99J1960 is a recent import from the USA and has been subject to full race preparation by Tony Bianchi’s Racing Repertoire Company . The car is now fitted with Tony’s development of the original three speed Ford gearbox, using straight cut gears along with ‘dog clutches’ – gone are the helical gears and bulky synchromesh, allowing a substantial increase in performance to match the torque characteristic’s of the 331 ci Cadillac engine. At Donington, Till and the J2 ran in the Woodcote Trophy/Stirling Moss Trophy, setting the fastest race lap time in class 2 – an excellent achievement for a ‘shakedown’ event ! The next planned outing for the dark blue J2 is this years Le Mans Legends race that supports the famous 24 hour event in mid-June.

With quite possibly 50 years more J2 experience than Till, ex AOC Club Captain Jim Tiller took ‘the Old Fella’ to the Bentley Drivers Club Sprint meeting at MIRA on the 11 May, having an ‘interesting day’ getting used to a newly fitted T10 gearbox. Cold, windy and damp conditions were less than ideal for the Chevrolet powered car, reflecting in low 60 second times in practice which could not be matched in the damp timed runs. Amongst others having large capacity traction problems were current AOC Club Captain David Loveys with his faithful and rapid red K1 (77.70s), and Club member Ron Dowle with his V12 Bentley special (99.64s). PW-mille-miglia-2013

In slightly sunnier climes, Patrick and Pamela Watts thoroughly enjoyed their J2 in this year’s Mille Miglia retrospective on the 16-19 May (pictured left). Over 3 day’s the event follows the original route starting in Brescia, down the east side of Italy taking in Ferrara, Rome, Florence, Modena before returning back to Brescia. The J2 successfully completed the course in 280th position overall from a massive entry of 415 starters. On his return from Italy, Patrick and the J2 were back in ultra-competitive mode at the Brands Hatch Historic festival on May 26, finishing 3rd overall in the RAC Woodcote Trophy  to Gary Pearson’s winning D type Jaguar, and Mick Wigley’s 2 seater Cooper Bristol. With many Allard model’s now (quite rightly) highly valuable, those owners that choose to continue Sydney’s sporting legacy by using the cars as they were most definitely intended should be applauded – the Guv’nor would indeed be proud !

(Reports by David Hooper, photo credits to Robert Hewitt and Peter Singhoff respectively).

06.06.2013


More show success !

H.A.O.-&-D.A.-&-A.D.Bardinon-and-H.A.O Another Essen ‘Techno Classica’ show has passed with great success. The top photo shows the Allard Continental Group stand populated by an Allard P1 based J2 replica and Darell Allard’s blue P1 – those in loving embrace between the two cars are (from left to right) Allard Docter, Hans Albert Oppenborn and Darell Allard. The J2 replica belongs Allard Docter, who would you believe is also a Doctor…
 
The below photo shows J2 and J2X owner Jean-Francois Bardinon (left) and Hans Albert Oppenborn, who again did a mighty job in putting the whole show together. (Eagle eyes will note that the discussion seems to be taking place around 2 bottles of empty wine – The Frenchman is most certainly expressing his views on the Riesling…) Throughout the three day show, it is reported that there was a lot of  interest in the cars on the stand – perhaps generated by a Palm Beach for sale on a dealers stand at 170,000.00 Euros ! For 2014, plans are already afoot for the stand to feature a JR, a J2X Le Mans and a J2.

(Report and photos by Darell Allard).

25.04.13


 

Member movements at Montlhéry.

Amilcar-Montlhery-2013 In further proof of the gregarious nature of AOC Members, Allard J2 owner Scott Bevis chose the mythical banked corners of Montlhéry in place of VSCC Silverstone as the season opener for his 1928 Amilcar-Riley vintage racer.

The Montlhéry autodrome, just south of Paris, was the home of the French Grand Prix in the 20’s and 30’s, and saw the likes of Grand Prix Mercedes and Auto Union teams dominating the later pre-war events held there. In later years, the circuit held the 1000KM of Paris, an endurance event for ‘big banger’ sports cars including Lola T70’s and Porsche 917’s – racing such cars around such a circuit, beggars belief !

Although ‘official’ racing can no longer take place at Montlhéry, the bi-annual Vintage Revival gives owners of pre-war cars and pre-1950 motorcycles the opportunity to exercise their machines to the full on this famously fast and open circuit. The current track configuration includes only a quarter of the ‘speed bowl’, the rest of the circuit using part of the equally fast 15KM ‘road’ circuit section.

The event is typically French and laid back, and always includes a wonderful range of racing Bugatti’s, Amilcars, but also some very rapid British driven 3-wheeler JAP powered Morgans. Every year in March ‘The Coupe des Printemps’, (a similar event, but for post war cars) is held at Montlhéry and would be the perfect opportunity to stretch the legs of an Allard. Scott thoroughly recommends the experience of driving on one of the few remaining ‘big boys’ circuits ! Some excellent film footage of circuit laps at the event can be seen here. Scott appears at 2.14 ! vintage revival montlhéry on-board Lombard.

25.04.2013

 

Member movements at Silverstone.

silverstone-farrallac-2013 Four AOC Members were pedaling hard at the traditional VSCC Silverstone Spring Start event on the weekend of 21/22 April. Blessed by much welcomed sunshine, a successful time was had by all. Club President Josh Sadler celebrated his birthday by finishing in 3rd place overall in Sunday’s Aston Martin Centenary race in a monoposto Aston with a fastest lap 1:21.23. Josh was out again in the Allcomers scratch race for pre-war cars finishing in 14th place overall with a fastest lap of 1:24.49. Kerry Horan, of recent Steyr Allard fame, was competing in the Commander Yorke Trophy for 500cc racing cars aboard his Trenberth, finishing in 16th place, from a massive field of 42 cars, with a fastest lap of 1:29.56.

Mark Brett and his much campaigned Ballamy-Ford competed in 3 races : On Saturday, in the Fox & Nicholl Trophy, and also in the Handicap race for pre-war cars where he finished in 6th place overall with a fastest lap of 1:24.6 . On Sunday, a hotly contested race for Standard & Modified pre-war sports car race saw the Marc and the Ballamy finishing 8th with a fastest lap of 1:22.97.

Tony Bianchi and the faithful Farrallac (pictured) finished in 3rd place overall from a field of 34 cars in Sunday 1950’s Sports Racing Car race, beaten narrowly by a Lotus 15 and the Sadler Mk3. Tony’s fastest lap was an impressive  1:07.96.

(Report by David Hooper, photo credit courtesy of Paul Holton photography). 25.04.2013

 

Happy birthday Mr President.

The AOC sends its warmest congratulations to our Club President, Josh Sadler, who celebrates his 70th birthday this weekend. Josh will be hitting his 70th year in true style by racing a pre-war Aston Martin at the Vintage Sports Car Club’s ‘Spring Start’ event at Silverstone on Saturday and Sunday – Although well known for racing hot Porsches prepared by his successful ‘Autofarm Porsche’ business and more recently heroic efforts in Allard J2X ORL 320 (pictured below), it was in a pre-war cars that Josh started his racing in 1969. The Club wish Mr President yet another successful and safe racing weekend ! J2X-JSPhoto credit to www.ultimatecarpage.com

18.04.2013


‘Wilkommen in Essen’ !

Allard-EssenThe show season is well now well underway, and for those making the trip to Germany for the quite simply vast Techno Classica event on the 10-14 April, you are invited by Hans-Albert Opperborn of the Allard Continental Group to rest your feet at the Allard Stand (stand number 105, hall 3). Allard’s on display will include a J2 Special based on a P1, and the ‘trans-Europe express’ blue P1 of Essen regular Darell Allard as shown above. To mark the occasion of the 60 year anniversary of the Allard JR there will be a photographic display – it was hoped that the ex Zora Arkus-Duntov / Ray Merrick Le Mans JR (#3403), that has recently been sold to Germany would also be present, but the car is unfortunately still in transit from the US. A full range of Allard regalia will be on display and available for sale to fill your backpack. There will also be a meeting of members of the Allard Continental Group on Saturday April 13 starting at 12:15h, followed by ‘an Allard lunch’ at 12:45h at the Bistro Schloss Hugenpoet in hall 3. If you would like to attend the lunch, please make a reservation directly with Hans-Albert by email h.a.oppenborn@onlinehome.de  or telephone +49 (0)1774441015 

To visit the Techno Classica web site please click here : www.siha.de

07.04.2013


More from Le Mans

Team-Le-Mans-1952 Fairman-J2X-LM522Fairman-J2X-LM52Following the ban of ‘cycle winged’ cars by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, (the organisers of the Le Mans 24 hours race), the Allard Motor Company fielded two Chrysler Firepower engined J2X ‘Le Mans’ models for the 1952 event. Here, more period photography shows the pre race team line up, and Jack Fairman (who shared the car with Sydney) leaving the famous Le Mans start, and later gunning the car through the Tetre Rouge esses. The team again wore numbers 4 & 5, but unfortunately this time success evaded the Allard’s – car number 4 retiring while running sixth with engine failure after 13 hours, and the number 5 Frank Curtis/Zora Arkos-Duntov car, suffering from total brake loss at the end of the Mulsanne straight caused by a broken shock absorber mounting severing the hydraulic brake hose. Photo credits are unknown, but again serve as evocative reminders of  ‘la belle époque’.

31.03.2013


Tom-Cole-J2-Le-Mans-1950-Klemantaski

Allard art

Easter internet wandering revealed this beautiful Louis Klemantaski photograph of Tom Cole at the wheel of the number 4 works Allard J2 at Le Mans in 1950, possibly rounding Indianopolis corner on the short run down to Arnage. It was the Allard Motor Company’s first attempt at the race, with Sydney Allard sharing the car, the team finished in 3rd place overall – a remarkable achievement considering the car stuck in top gear for the majority of the race. Klemantaski is regarded as ‘the greatest motor racing photographer’, even choosing to bravely ride shotgun alongside Peter Collins in the Mille Miglia on a number of occasions to record a unique ‘drivers eye’ view of the event. To view more of his work, and other motor-racing photographers from the 50’s to the 80’s, visit www.klemcoll.com

31.03.2013


Meanwhile at Monaco…

Further proof that an Allard can get you into all the best parties, here is more YouTube delight from Patrick Watts and his Allard J2 at the 2012 Monaco Historic meeting. Just as we would expect from a driver of Patrick’s experience, it’s a hairy 2 laps amid seriously rapid and agile Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica’s and a nibbling Jaguar C Type. Inspiring stuff !

27.03.2013


Noisy boys at Goodwood

Not always, but sometimes, ‘You Tube’ throws up some interesting amateur film clips. The latest Allard find shows three AOC members in action at the 2011 Brighton & Hove Motor Club Goodwood Sprint, doing their absolute best to have the circuit closed down by quite rightly forgetting to silence their V8’s. Nearest to the camera, is AOC Vice President and Tailwagger Editor Mike Knapman with his M type based, Chevrolet engined Allard Special. Next to leave the line is P1 Monte Carlo hero and AOC Club Captain Dave Loveys with possibly the worlds fastest ‘standard’ Allard K1. Completing the row is AOC member Joe Clegg’s K2. Trained ears will note that this K2 sounds distinctly different to a normal Allard rumble – At the time of the event, the car was fitted with a straight-six Jaguar engine – since then, and as reported in the February 2013 issue Tailwagger, Joe has replaced the Jaguar unit with a V8 Cadillac. It’s always great to see Club Members using their cars – and thanks to the wonders of the internet such feats of Allard bravery can be viewed for evermore !

27.03.2013


Allard’s hot-rod works truck !

Works-truckAnother nugget of Allard trivia from David Hooper is this outline drawing of the Allard Motor Company’s truck from c.1948/9. Unfortunately no photographic records of this unique Allard are known to exist, but we do know that the attractive design was built from the remains of an accident damaged Allard P1 or M type. The truck was never taxed, spending it’s days on trade registration plates. Famed for being at the time perhaps the fastest truck in South London, due to it’s relative light-weight, and V8 engine, it was subsequently very capable of surprising many unsuspecting car drivers away from the traffic lights ! David reports that this was perhaps the reason as to why the truck met its doom – It is rumoured that there was an a heated battle away the lights against a Jaguar – a short distance after the take-off the works truck got a little too close while the Jaguar braked and contact was made ! The names of Paddy Murphy and Allan Tilley have been associated to the event as those who were intent on holding up Allard competition honour ! To those who may have a photo or further details of the truck please make contact.

27.03.2013


Hooper files – 3

 

PB-MK1-AMC-DHPB-MK1-AMC-DH2A further find from David Hooper is a rare Sales sheet produced for the launch of the MK 1 Palm Beach Allard. The sheet was printed in 1952 for the UK market only. (Click on each image for an enlarged view). 10.03.13


Hooper files – 2

More rare Allard ephemera from David Hooper – This time, artists ink drawings of the Allard range that appeared in the ‘IAMM Bulletin’ (a once well known American modeling magazine) in July/August 1956. David has further drawings and will at some stage ‘dig them out’. (Click on each image for an enlarged view). 10.03.13 IAAM_Bulletin_1956-DH2IAAM-Bulletin-1956-DH

 

 

Hooper files – 1 AOC-Christmas-card-eelm-DHEx Allard Motor Company Chief Draughtsman & Engineer David Hooper has lately been tidying his Allard draws and has kindly supplied another example of Allard Christmas cheer to follow the recent Christmas card posts in this section. David seems to think the photograph was taken at Eelmore Plain in Kent in the early Sixties, however Jim Tiller seems to think the location was Shelsley Walsh. The Allard line up (L-R) includes – Jim & Sheila Tiller standing behind their J2 (complete with stuffed tiger in the driving seat), the Hinton Special, the Farrallac (possibly at this time still owned by Don Farrall), and a J2X (with headlights lowered) perhaps owned by Fred Dammoderan. The distinguished gentleman standing behind the Hinton Special, sporting a beret and AOC crested blazer, is Ray May, the early Club Secretary.

10.03.13


Team Bianchi brave the Pom !

farrallac-pompia-bianchi-pomThe 60th Anniversary VSCC Pomeroy Trophy took place at Silverstone on Saturday 25 February amid sleet, snow and sub-zero temperatures. This unique Vintage Sports Car Club event was derived in the 1950’s by motoring journalist Laurence Pomeroy as a test to find the ‘ultimate’ road car. ‘The Pom’ is a points based event and comprises handling, acceleration and braking disciplines with an hour long circuit time trial as the final event. Regulations state that all cars should carry ‘two standard VSCC sized suitcases’, be fitted with hard tops or soft tops, and should be driven to the circuit – points are lost for any cars not adhering. The Trophy is open to all road registered cars, and always provides a wonderfully varied entry list – perhaps the most gallant of 2013 was a stretched Ford Scorpio funeral limousine. AOC honour was upheld by Tony & Pia Bianchi – Tony running the Farrallac (shown quite rightly leading the way to an Aston Martin V8 Vantage on the circuit test) and wife Pia winning the Ladies class in her MGB, (shown being dwarfed by the Edwardian 1914 Vauxhall of Gillian Carr).

The event was won by Dudley Sterry in his HRG Sports, at last putting one over the ‘Chain Gang’ Frazer Nash drivers, who have, for so long, made ‘The Pom’ their own. (For a video clip of a typical Pom prepared Frazer Nash, click on ‘piglet’ – as you will see, the fitting of a makeshift hood somewhat affects the handling… piglet ).

Report by David Hooper and photo credits to www.classicandsportscar.com

09.03.13


elstree-2013


Galerie-des-damiers-J2Rétromobile update

Further to the previous Rétromobile post it seems that the Patrick Cousseau Allard J2 spotted on the Galerie des Damiers Stand has indeed been sold. No further details are known other than the car was snapped up immediately before even appearing on the Galerie des Damiers website. Hopefully the new owner will reveal all by joining our Club. 22.02.13


 

Rétromobile 2013

J2-retromobile-2013The only Allard spotted at Rétromobile 2013 was the racing J2 of AOC French member Patrick Cousseau, a regular competitor with the patriotic French blue car at the Le Mans Classic and other European historic events. The car was displayed on Christophe Pund’s ‘Galerie des Damiers’ stand – Pund is renowned for finding some very rare exotica in European barns as well as his swanky picnic in the grounds of his ‘petit chateau’ at Cassel in Northern France.  It is not sure whether the J2 was for sale or being used simply to sex-up the stand. The Paris show was another huge success with visitor numbers up on last year. The exhibits, club stands, traders, auctions, restaurants and bars were in almost all cases of excellent quality. Whether it’s a Type 35 Bug’ or off-the-wall automotive art, Rétromobile has become one of Europe’s leading shows and when combined with a weekend in this magnificent city, it’s well worth a Eurostar trip .

Photos courtesy of Olivier Bonnet / Linternaute.com

15.02.13


Internet find 3 : Sign here please Sydney…

ibsley-4 Purchased three years ago, via the world’s most resourceful online auction site for the reasonable sum of £12, is this rare Ibsley race meeting programme. Rare not only because racing at Ibsley aerodrome lasted for just 5 years, but also because on page 22, the programme is signed by Sydney Herbert Allard ! Ibsley-programme-180453The 1953 April 18 Ibsley meeting saw the debut of the Allard JR, with Sydney as entrant and driver.

He competed in two races that day, his biggest challenge coming in Event 6, the 7 lap race for Sports cars, where a 3 car Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar ‘C’ type team was entered, one car being driven by Jimmy Stewart, the talented older brother of future world champion Jackie. Sydney split the Ecurie Ecosse team, finishing second to the (Ian Stewart) winning C type with a 1 second gap at the finish line ! The remaining two ‘C’ Types finished 3rd (Jimmy Stewart) and 4th James Scott Douglas). An incredible feat, considering at this time the ‘C’ type was a already a highly developed, Le Mans winning sports racing car. In the second event, the 15 lap Formula Libre race, Sydney and the sports JR finished third beaten only by the Ecurie Ecosse single-seater Formula two cars of (again) Ian Stewart driving a Connaught (1st) and Ninian Sanderson in a Cooper Bristol (2nd). In this race, all 3 Scottish ‘C’ types finished behind the Allard. Ibsley marked an impressive competition debut for the JR and must have raised enormously the Allard Motor Company’s hopes for the forthcoming Le Mans 24 hour race in which they were due to take part only 2 months later. Unfortunately at the famous French event, after a dominant practice and an astonishing opening lap of the race, (where the JR was clocked at 145mph on the Mulsanne straight), Le Mans dreams were shattered as the car retired after only 50minutes with transmission failure.

(For rare film footage of the Allard preparations for the 1953 Le Mans race click here: Allard Le Mans 53.)


Internet find 2 : Allard Press photography.

J2-GoddardJR-Bucher Two supposedly ‘official’ Allard Motor Company promotional photographs were also recently found via the internet – The first shows a white Chrysler engined J2 with extraordinarily elaborate bonnet bulge (presumably hiding a row of 3 or 4 strombergs) and is credited to celebrated automotive photographer Geoffrey Goddard – the car is cheekily set in a sleepy suburban street, complete with privet hedge – it takes little effort to imagine how suburbia is shattered when the car is started ! JR-Watkins-Glen-58

The second (uncredited) photograph seems to be a ‘factory fresh’ JR, with (almost clean) white tarpaulins rigged up behind as a hasty backdrop. The car was painted red, with white and blue chequers around the nose  – Further internet searching has revealed the colour photograph of the car competing at the 1958 Watkins Glen Grand Prix event driven by Bob Bucher, where he finished 2nd to a Maserati in the Seneca Cup. American AOC member Alan Patterson finished 4th in the same race, driving the J2X that he is still racing today !

11.02.13


Internet find 1 : AOC night navigation rally 1954.

night-navigationThis recent £2.00 internet auction purchase is proof of a typical Allard Owners Club event in 1954 – The document includes regulations and an entry form for a 250 mile “test of autumn night driving and map reading”. This hardy October night time adventure was organised jointly by the AOC and the Harrow Car Club, and was open to all ‘paid-up members’. The event start was at The Marquis of Granby at 22h00, the finish at the Grasshopper Inn, Westerham, Kent at 09h00, with awards being presented “after breakfast”. Unsurprisingly, it all sounds rather civilised.

Noteworthy content shows a certain S.Allard as Chief Steward and an interesting ‘point 7’ concerning driving standards ; “The rally is not a race, and any competitor reported during the event for dangerous driving or noisy driving may be excluded from the awards list” – Difficult to believe that Sydney was ever an advocate for lifting the foot off the loud pedal, but perhaps it was already an indication of why wonderful Club events such as this sadly now rarely take place – (Then again, why not an anniversary re-run in 2014 ? …)

11.02.13


 

JR3JR7Mighty Le Mans JR moves on.

 

JR Allard (#JR 3403), as raced at Le Mans in 1953 by Zora Arkus Duntov and Ray Merrick, has recently changed hands through the RM Auctions Arizona sale on 18 January. One of only seven examples of arguably the ultimate racing Allard, this iconic and beautifully prepared JR quite rightly exceeded the reasonable reserve of $450,000, with the hammer eventually falling at $605,000 (equating to £382,000 or 454,000 euro) – In today’s climate it is perhaps a ‘bit of a bargain’ when compared to cars of similar provenance. As yet we have no details of the new owner – Fingers crossed he or she will be bringing the car back to Britain.

Photo credit – Scott Miller/RM Auctions. 21.01.12    


 

It’s that time of year…

1965-monte-093-05For those of us battling snow blizzards, sub-zero temperatures, and the winter blues that come with the garage being just too cold, it’s easy to imagine the effort that it takes to win the Monte Carlo Rally, the event held at this time of year since 1911. As most of us know, Sydney Allard, Tom Lush, Guy Warburton and their Allard P1 were overall winners in the 1952 edition, but ‘the Monte’ was an event that Sydney Allard enjoyed immensely, seeing it as the ultimate test of mechanical stamina and driving skill. Sydney entered the rally yearly, his last being in 1965, driving with Tom Fisk  a 997cc ‘Allardette’ Ford Anglia – Allard tuned, with handling modifications and a Shorrock supercharger, Allardette’s were at that time seen as the ‘ultimate Anglia’, being offered through the Ford dealership close to the Allard Motor Company works, then run by long-time Allard employee Reg Canham. 1965-monte-093-031965-monte-093-04 The rare colour photographs shown in this article, (main image showing Sydney at the front wheel and Tom pointing) are record of that 1965 event, which unfortunately ended in a non-finish for the team due to very heavy snowfalls in France. So severe were the weather conditions, that only 35 of the 237 competitors finished, the event being won by Timo Makinen and Paul Easter in their invincible Mini Cooper. Sadly, the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally was to be Sydney’s last – In late Autumn of 1965 he was taken ill, however from his hospital bed, he ensured that an entry for the 1966 Monte event was made. When the time came, Sydney was far too ill to take part, passing away a few months later on the 12 April 1966. The Automobile Club de Monaco celebrates the Monte successes of drivers such as Sydney Allard with an annual Monte-Carlo historic rally, the 2013 event starting on the 25 January – unfortunately, this year sees no Allard entries.

Photos courtesy of www.anglia-models.co.uk

20.01.13


Season’s Greetings from the Allard Motor Company !

Shown here are two examples of original and very rare Allard Motor Company Christmas cards. More ‘end of season’ than ‘of the season’, the festive message leans rather obviously towards a reminder of the Company’s most impressive achievement during the year – Sydney and the marketing department were obviously way ahead of their time when it came to corporate promotion ! The cards from 1950 and 1952 show Sydney practicing the J2 at Le Mans during Allard’s first attempt at the 24 hour race where the car finished in 3rd place overall, while the 1952 card shows Sydney and Tom Lush in Monaco with the Monte Carlo Rally winning P1 complete with Trophies and snow induced battle scars. The 1950 Christmas card is signed by Sydney Allard and Export Manager Mr Davis. The personal message reads “Thanks, rather belatedly, for your kind thoughts and card” – Perhaps the recipient of the card had been omitted from the original Christmas card list !   The 1952 Christmas card is signed by Reg Canham, who was a Director of the Company at the time. In the absence of an official Allard Owners Club Christmas card (although these examples may provide an idea for next year..) we wish all Members and passionate Allardist’s a great Christmas and a safe and prosperous 2013.

23.12.12


 

Summer with the Steyr

 

The latest discovery from the depths of the internet is a set of as yet ‘unseen’ colour photographs of the Steyr Allard competing a Sevenoaks & District Motor Club run Valence hill climb in the Summer of 1964. At this time, the car was being run by the then Allard Motor Company Chief Draughtsman & Engineer, and now AOC website contributor, David Hooper. It is rare to see period colour images of the Steyr, but more so to see the car fitted with a long bonnet air intake – a modification that it wore after Sydney was competing with it, but no longer a feature of the car today. It’s perhaps not so unusual to see ahead-of-it’s-time innovation on an Allard – some 5 years later, all Formula 1 cars seemed to start sprouting similar appendages !

Further recollections of David Hooper’s time spent with the Steyr Allard can be found in his ‘From the drawing board’ page, or by clicking here. Photos courtesy of ‘henryharris’ flickr.com 01.12.12

 

 

Monte stars at the NEC

As a last ‘hurrah’ in the 60th anniversary year of Sydney Allard’s historic 1952 Monte Carlo Rally win, the Allard Owners Club stand was themed appropriately at the Classic & Sports car Show held at the NEC on the 16-18 November. Amid the macho display of three P type and two M type models was the ‘black P’ of AOC Club Captain Dave Loveys that took part in this February’s ‘Monte Carlo Historique’ event in homage to Sydney’s victory. Still proudly wearing it’s Monte Carlo numbers and Glasgow start line stickers, it was refreshing to see the P type evocatively ‘monte’ travel-stained when so many other displays at the NEC are chromed and polished to overkill. Star attraction on the stand was the actual trophy that Sydney won in 1952, bolted down and caressed lovingly by those lucky enough to get close to it.

The AOC offers its thanks to AOC Committee member Mel Herman and his team for putting together once again such a professional and informative display, and to Gavin Allard for the kind loan of the Monte Carlo Trophy – perhaps one of the most important elements of Allard family memorabilia.

Report and photos courtesy of Darell Allard.  29.11.12


AOC Stateside

Allard was the featured marque for this years Glenmoor Gathering of significant Automobiles 14th-16th September 2012, with a total of 8 different models being shown. The Gathering was spread over three days at the Glenmoor Country Club, Canton, Ohio and included a mouth-watering assortment of over 200 cars.

Friday saw the first of the Allards arrive which were displayed lawn in front of the club with the famous red J2 of Erwin Goldsmidth (above) taking pride of place. The Allard cars on show were: 1947 K1 of Tom & Dee Kayuh / 1947 K1 of Mike & Dawn Fisher / 1947 K1 of Bill Magavern / 1948 M type of Mike & Dawn Fisher / 1948 L type of Terrell Underwood / K2 of Peter Bowman / K2 of Axel & Hanko Rosenblad / K2 of Andy Picariello / 1950 J2 of Tom & Terri Shelton / 1950 J2 of Andy Picariello / 1950 J2 of Emil Loeffier / 1950 J2 of Bruce McCaw / J2 of David Kyle / 2X of Bill & Barbara Boone / J2X of Bill & Annabelle Wilmer / J2X of Paul Schoonmaker / JR of James Taylor / Palm Beach MK1 of Axel and Hanko Roseblad / Palm Beach MK2 of Robert Hartson. Friday’s schedule of events included an interesting Seminar on the trials and tribulations of the Studebaker Car Company, plus the start of the Silent Auction.

A heavy rain shower caused a rush to fit tonneau covers, however it soon cleared and for the next two days the weather was perfect. Saturday 15th September saw The Glenmoor Passport Countryside Tour starting promptly at 8am with 7 Allards running; Two K1’s of Tom Kayuha and Mike Fisher, two K2’s of Axel Rosenblad and Peter Bowman the J2 of Tom Sheldon, J2X of Paul Schoonmaker, and the L type of Terrell Underwood. The Tour was over a distance of 90 miles passing through the rolling hills of North East Ohio with the two lane roads being shared with horse drawn buggies. The first stop was at Carl Maxwell’s Sinclair Service Station Museum in Berlin, with lunch being taken at the recently restored Canal Tavern of Zoar. For all the 40 plus cars which took part it was a truly unforgettable experience. No Allards were for sale in the Grande Salon Classic Car Auction it was an interesting experience to see ‘live’ an Auction of this type and to ensure that one’s enthusiasm did not carried away when a Ferrari went for what seemed a very low price !                   Being the featured marque, the Allards were not part of Sunday’s main Concours event, however all 19 cars were subject to their owners voting for both the best ‘road car’ and ‘competition’ car. Judging had to be completed by 10.30am, and before the awards were made the Allard exhibitors attended lunch on the patio. The respective winners were Bill and Annabelle Wilmer with their supercharged Chevrolet J2X and Mike and Dawn Fisher’s coach-built M type Coupe.

Other award winners and exhibitors are pictured: top left – Axel Rosenblad’s K2, top centre – Mike Fisher’s K1, top right; James Taylor’s ex Rupert Larrinaga JR, bottom left – David Kyle’s J2, bottom centre – Paul Schoonmaker’s De Soto Fire Dome engined J2X, bottom right – Andy Picariello’s Chrysler engined J2. The 2012 Glenmoor Gathering produced a fine field of Allards thanks to the hard work of US AOC Representative Andy Picariello and Tom Kayuha.

Thanks are due to a pond hopping David Hooper for his report and photography.  01.11.12


Another glorious Goodwood

The Goodwood Revival was held on the weekend of 14-16 September, and once again, this “magical step back in time” confirmed it’s position as the world’s finest historic race meeting. The efforts and detail that Lord March and his team go to in recreating those ‘glorious years’ is remarkable and exemplary. This year, the ‘Freddie March Memorial Trophy’ celebrated the 60th anniversary of the famous Goodwood 9 hours race, with a 90 minute, two driver race finishing at dusk. Only one Allard graced the mouth-watering grid of cars that did, or could have taken part in the original 9 hour race, this being the well-travelled J2 (chassis #1971) of Canadian Bob Francis. Having clocked up some good racing kilometers at the Le Mans Classic in July, the circuit experience of the Francis/Thompson team is beginning to show, with a strong 12th place finish from an ultra-competitive 29 car grid. The race, dominated mainly by professional drivers including Le Mans and Formula 3 hotshots, was won by modern GT driver Alex Buncombe in the ex-Fangio Jaguar C Type. The AOC congratulates the Francis and Thompson team on another fine Allard performance.      

Also taking part was Ben Shuckburgh’s ‘continuation’ Cunningham C4R – an exact recreation of the perhaps the most iconic of all the Briggs Cunningham cars. It is a well-known fact that these Chrysler-hemi engined beasts were contemporary competitors to the Allard J2 and J2X at Le Mans and throughout American events in the 1950’s. For more details of the latest wonderful creation to leave the Jim Stokes workshop, visit www.briggscunningham.com Report Darell Allard, photography courtsey of Tim Scott at www.fluidimages.co.uk

27.09.12


Blunderbus firing well at Spa !

Ex-Touring Car expert, and now seriously competitive Allard racer, Patrick Watts was at last free from engine problems and back to his winning ways at the Spa 6 Hours meeting in Belgium this weekend. Patrick and his black J2, appropriately dubbed ‘The Blunderbus’, held off a Jaguar C type by 1.5 seconds to win the drum-brake class of the Motor Racing Legends ‘Woodcote Trophy’, finishing 4th overall behind two Jaguar D types and a Cooper Jaguar who headed the disc-brake class.

The Woodcote grid was combined with The Stirling Moss Trophy, featuring later 50’s sportscars including a Lister Jaguar driven by ex-Benetton F1 driver, Emanuele Pirro – An indication of just how competitive top-level Historic motor-racing is (perhaps unfortunately) becoming. The hour-long race (that Patrick drove alone), also featured the Father and Son Llewellyn Allard, with Tim and Oliver finishing 5th in class. Their green J2 most definitely won the ‘music to the ears’ award, with it’s wonderful open ‘3-per-side’ exhaust system, obviously very much inspired by the original JR configuration. Also taking part in supporting races were the ever-enthusiastic Allardists Tony & Pia Bianchi – both sharing their 1963 MGB in the 1hr 40minute ‘Gentleman Drivers Race’ for GT’s, and Tony running well, but ultimately out of fuel, in his Brabham BT5 in the Masters Sports Car race ! The Spa 6-Hour weekend is a ‘must-do’ for those that haven’t already.

Six GT40’s headed the 110 car grid for the 6-Hour race, only to be overtaken by the end of the first lap by a 1963 6.3 Litre Grand Sport Corvette ! With no silly silencing laws for historic racing in Belgium, it’s a rare spectacle to see such cars hammering through Eau Rouge into the night until the finish at 10PM, on what is by far, the world’s finest circuit. With Francorchamps being only 3-4 hours from Calais, book your trip for next year – A cornet of chips, mayonnaise and a Jupiler beer are all you need for a night-time “pique-nique à la Belge” !

25.09.12


Why would you want a C type?

Listed for sale by internet today, is the ex-works Allard J2X (chassis #3055), driven by Sydney Allard and Jack Fairman in the 1952 Le Mans 24 hour race. At the time, the car was running the ‘new’ 331 ci Chrysler ‘Hemi’, which propelled the intrepid Sydney and Jack to an official speed of 153mph on the Mulsanne straight. After reaching 6th place overall, it was however a great disappointment to the team when the development engine failed after thirteen hours of racing at 5AM. The advert on www.carandclassic.co.uk calls the J2X “the most competitive Allard ever built” – After many years in the US, (where the car was superbly restored), it would be wonderful to think that this historically important Allard could now find a buyer in the UK or Europe. So. To those with a suitable budget, here is the car that in the right hands would put the ‘ten-a-penny’ Jaguar C Type’s in their place at the Revival… An extra lottery ticket on Saturday perhaps? To see more, visit www.jdclassics.co.uk  


Allard and Fittipaldi front row at Interlagos

A recent internet find is the above publicity photograph for the FIA World Endurance ‘6 Hours of Sao Paulo’ showing the Allard J2 of Brazilian AOC member Mauricio Marx on the front row at Interlagos, alongside ex-Formula 1 World Champion Emmerson Fittipaldi and the latest WEC Audi R18 Sports Prototype. Quite rightly, the Allard sits on pole in front of a Jaguar C Type, a Mercedes 300SL and other sports car exotica.


Old fella on song

 

Ex AOC Club Captain, 197mph Allard Bonneville hero, and long-time Brighton Competitor Jim Tiller was on fine form with ‘The Old Fella’ at Madeira Drive, before the event was tragically cut short. Subsequently, results were awarded on practice and first times only – Jim and his 62 year-old J2 posting the second fastest time overall in first practice at 10.44 seconds, with a finish speed of 131 mph. As in previous years, the venerable combination trounced much younger cars including highly specialised sprint & hillclimb Pilbeam MP43’s. Unfortunately ‘The Old Fella’ was the only Allard entered at this historically important venue where Sydney, Eleanor and many Allardist’s since, have enjoyed so much success.

If you are feeling brave enough to sit next to Jim at Brighton, click play below.

Four weeks previous to Brighton, Jim made his annual visit to the Bentley Drivers Club meeting at Silverstone on 11 August, competing in the extremely ‘mixed-bag’ Allcomers Handicap race. Amongst the 36 car entry were Allard J2 owner Tim Llewellyn in a Ginetta G20, AOC Member David Hughes in his Ford Sierra Cosworth, Duncan Dowle (son of AOC member and J2 Replica owner Ron) in his MG Midget, Pia Bianchi racing her MGB, with husband Tony forsaking the Farrallac for a sports-racing Brabham BT5.

After previous disappointment in the 2011 event due to a serious engine problem, ‘The Old Fella’ was back on song at Silverstone in 2012, achieving the 5th fastest lap of 1:10.92 with an average speed of 83.20 mph on the ‘Club’ circuit. Being a handicap event, final results are of little indication to overall performance, but for the record Jim finished 11th overall. The AOC passes on its congratulations once again to Jim and The Old Fella. It is admirable to know that the combination (with many noteworthy appearances behind the Bluemel by Sheila) have been upholding Allard honour in a blur of orange for over almost half a decade!

Photo credits to Jason Cornish, Brighton Speed Trials facebook group .

10.09.12


Sad day at Brighton

The 2012 Brighton Speed Trials was marred by a fatal accident on Saturday 8 September, as a Suffolk woman lost her life when the motorcycle outfit she was riding passenger on, went out of control at the Dukes Mound end of the course. The 64 year-old male rider of the outfit, is currently in a critical condition. With The Allard Motor Company and many Allard owners having a close affinity to the historic Speed Trials,The Allard Owners Club sends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of all involved.

10.09.12


Glenmoor gathers momentum

AOC Club US Vice President Andy Picariello reports that the September Glenmoor Gathering in Ohio, where “Allard, the legendary British Sports car” will be celebrated as a featured class, has attracted 22 Allard’s so far.

For more information click on the image or visit www.GlenmoorGathering.com


Trophy troubles

Despite a strong Allard presence in the hour long (two driver) ‘Woodcote Trophy for pre-56 Sports Cars’ at the Silverstone Classic, mechanical gremlins hit hard. Three Cadillac engined J2’s were entered by Patrick Watts, Tim Llewellyn and Malcolm Verey, while Tony Bianchi ran the Allard Farrallac in the ‘Stirling Moss Trophy for pre-61 Sports Cars’. Best times in a wet qualifying session were : Verey/Welch : 3:13.248, Llewellyn/Llewellyn : 3:15.080 – Patrick Watts withdrew from the session with another engine failure. For the race, the Llewellyn J2 was a non-starter, but the Verey/Welch J2 took the start and finished a strong 7th. In the Stirling Moss Trophy, the Bianchi/Wigley Farrallac circulated rapidly in qualifying with a dry time of 2:30.338, but unfortunately retired from the race on lap 12 due to a gearbox oil leak. AOC member Duncan Rabagliati was running his Alexis HF1 in the Historic Formula Junior race, qualifying 43rd on a 60 car grid, but unfortunately didn’t take the start.

Report David Hooper. Photo credit (Farrallac in the 2011 event) www.motorsportretro.com 25.07.12


Best of British at Silverstone Classic

 

Red, white and blue was the order of the weekend at Silverstone Classic (21 & 22 July). Lined up in celebration of a Jubilee year, a Wimbledon Finalist, a Tour de France winner, and the pretty sure presumption of some imminent Olympic medalists, are the red K1 of Dave Haley, the white Allard Special of John Peskett and the dark blue L Type of Rick Newman. Throughout the weekend, the Allard tent was a popular meeting point for all shapes and sizes of Allard’s and Allardist’s, with 13 members cars present on Saturday and 12 on Sunday. Visitors to the tent included Alan and Lloyd Allard, Patrick Watts, and a number of non-club members who had relatives that worked for the Allard Motor Company. Interlopers to the Allard car park who helped continue the patriotic theme included Geoff Allard’s charming ‘United Pallet Network Road Services’ Austin Seven, and Ron Dowle (J2 replica owner) with his monsterous supercharged Bentley Special. A full report of the weekend’s activities will appear in the next issue of Tailwagger.

Photo and report credits to Darell Allard. 25.07.12


Allard success at Le Mans Classic

Despite some very un-Le Mans-like weather, Messieurs Francis, Thompson, Cousseau, Loreille and Cointreau upheld Allard honour at the 2012 Le Mans Classic. The wonderfully atmospheric photo above, shows the Bob Francis J2 in thunderous form on the famous circuit at dusk. Race 1 for Plateau 2 (1949-56 cars), saw the Canadian team entry of Bob Francis and John Thompson finish an excellent 8th position in J2 LXR 949, headed only by Jaguar C & D types, two Maserati 300S, a 300SL Mercedes and an Austin Healey 100S. An incredible achievement considering that this was their first ever visit to the famous Sarthe circuit and there were over 70 cars on the grid ! The all French J2 team finished in 44th place. Race 2, held during the hours of darkness, saw the Francis car finish 52nd, and the Cousseau car 59th – (It seems that our 2012 entrants perhaps forgot to fit the same oversize headlights that Sydney did in 1950.. ?) The final race on Sunday, saw Francis/Thompson handing over the baguette, with the French team finishing highest, in 32nd place overall, the Canadian team 59th. It is hoped to receive a more detailed report and images in the very near future, until then, the AOC passes on their ‘grand félicitations’ to all involved. For those who fancy a raucous lap of the Le Mans circuit in the ex-Albert Otten J2, (or for those in Northern Europe that want to remember what blue sky and sunshine looks like) turn up your speakers and click play.

(Photo credit to ultimatecarpage.com)

11.07.12


Flying J2 spotted in Hampshire

Photographic proof of a very identifiable flying object in Hampshire was recently sent to the web site. The highly original Allard J2 (LLP 798) that has long been residing in the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, seems to have been elevated to new heights – the car now resting on what seems to be one of the stunning Goodwood Festival of Speed displays. As always, Beaulieu is well worth a visit. www.beaulieu.co.uk

03.07.12


Le Mans Classic (06-08 July)

 

Two Allard J2’s will be seeking to repeat Sydney’s heroic 3rd place finish in the 1950 Le Mans 24 hour race at this years Le Mans Classic. J2 (LXR 949) is entered by Mille Miglia regular Bob Francis, the second J2 (painted proudly in French racing blue) is owned by AOC overseas member Patrick Cousseau, who will share the driving with the grandson of the founder of the famous Cointreau liqueur.

Not only is Le Mans Classic the perfect opportunity to waft lazily down the N158 route national in your M or P type, it is also the only place in the world to see 10 original GT40’s battling it out at 200mph with Ferrari P3’s, light’s blazing through the night mist on the Mulsanne. If this all becomes too much, then a 2 euro Crépe Suzette swimming in Grand Marnier will take you nicely through to morning. Le Mans Classic is a truly spectacular event that is even starting to challenge Goodwood for grid quality and paddock ambiance – The only negative point is that the event is held only once every 2 years – So, put it on your bucket list, or book your ferry now (if you can still find a reservation).

To access the event web site, go to www.lemansclassic.com or click on the poster. For those making the trip – At least two ‘Self breathalyzers’ per car (available from most French petrol stations) are now compulsory in France. Le Mans is just the sort of place where the Gendarmes will be testing the ‘efficiency’ of such a law. You have been warned!


Forthcoming Club event at Silverstone Classic

If you can’t wait for the Glenmoor Gathering or the Goodwood Revival, the annual Club pilgrimage to the Silverstone Classic is fast approaching. The law of averages means that the sun is surely due to make an appearance, but if it’s Sod’s law that wins, then the Club tent will be there to provide ample shelter and refreshment. As in previous years a good display of Members cars is promised, and 2012 Club Concours trophies are up for grabs.

On-track action will include a rounds of the Woodcote Trophy, where Patrick Watts and his J2 will undoubtedly be looking for their first Series win. For more information on the weekend’s Club proceedings please contact the Social Secretary at james@keswickevents.com or for more event information access the event web site by clicking on the Silverstone logo here.


‘The legendary British sports car’ in Ohio

Even though a few more sausage rolls will be required for a trip to Ohio than a trip to Prescott, the investment will be worthwhile according to the Club’s US Vice President and Membership Secretary Andy Picariello. “Allard – the legendary British sports car” is the headline attraction at this years prestigious ‘Glenmoor Gathering’, to be held on 14-16 September 2012, at Glenmoor Country Club, Canton, Ohio. As well as Allard’s (including Andy’s own Chrysler engined J2 shown here), over 200 vintage/classic American and European cars and motorcycles will be on display, including ‘micro-cars’, steam-powered cars and ‘Trans-Atlantics’ (cars with British & European coachwork with American engines).

The packed event will also feature it’s annual Concours d’elegance, a classic car auction, two seminars, an automotive art display, book signings, a cocktail party with gala dinner, various family activities and even cooking demonstrations ! On the Sunday, there will be a display of ‘World Performance Cars” including models from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, GM and Porsche.

For more information visit www.GlenmoorGathering.com or click on the image here.

01.07.12


Allard’s at Silverstone Spring Start

On the grid in the 1950’s Sports Car race at the Vintage Sports Car Club’s Spring Start race meeting at Silverstone was the ex Albert Otten J2, now owned by VSCC stalwart Tim Llewellyn. For many years Tim campaigned a very successful 8 litre engined Bentley Special in VSCC meetings, obviously providing an excellent grounding to move onto Allard’s. Last September, Tim had a brief outing in the ex Dean Butler J2R Allard (see Goodwood Revival report), but Silverstone was his first outing of the season in his rapid J2 (the car was apparently clocked at the 2008 Le Mans classic at just over 180mph on the Mulsanne straight..). Unfortunately at Silverstone, luck was not on his side again, while comfortably running in the midfield, Tim was forced to retire mid race with “water problems”.

Allard honour was upheld again by Tony Bianchi and the trusty Farrallac, finishing in a strong 3rd place, just behind a very quick Cooper Monaco with Julian Majzub’s spectacular Sadler MK3 in 1st. Another noteworthy entrant was Jonathan Abecassis in his 100/4 Austin Healey, grandson of George Abecassis, who competed with great success in the HWM Jaguars of his own design, against Allard J2’s and J2X’s in the 1950’s.

Of more leisurely Allard interest was AOC member Jon Peskett, spotted pedalling around the paddock on his trusty racer, proudly sporting Allard transfers. Jon tried his best to convince that the bicycle was once ridden by Sydney – difficult to believe as his steed isn’t V8 powered and is, most definitely, of mid seventies vintage.

21.04.12


 

AOC Dinner Dance

The 2012 Dinner Dance, celebrating Sydney Allard’s 1952 Monte Carlo success, will be held at the The Holiday Inn, Elstree, London WD6 5PU, on Saturday 17 March. The Holiday Inn is situated on the A1M, near Junction 23 of the M25. This special Club event, that will include the annual Club prize giving, will comprise a three course dinner menu, private bar, music, and carriages at midnight. Dress Code is black tie or lounge suit. Ticket Price £33.50 per person.

AOC Social Secretary James Smith has worked hard to keep the ticket price as low as possible, and has also managed to negotiate excellent room rates for those wishing to stay overnight. It is hoped that this will encourage the return of all those who enjoyed this event so much last year, but also attract more members to take this opportunity of meeting your fellow Allard  enthusiasts, possibly for the first time. Greasy overalls and swapping of parts are banned until the Sunday morning, when a visit to somewhere interesting and not too distant will be organised.

Please reserve your places as early as possible by completing the reservation form in the February issue of Tailwagger, or contact James by email: james@keswickevents.com for a reservation form. For room reservations at a reduced rate of of £69 per double room or £59 per single room (including breakfast) please contact the hotel directly on 0208 214 9933.

17.03.12


60 years on, a P1 in Monte Carlo!

60 years after Sydney Allard, Guy Warburton, Tom Lush took their Allard P1 to outright victory in the 1952 Monte Carlo Rally, AOC Captain Dave Loveys and brother Roger have successfully completed the ‘2012 Monte Carlo Historique’, a gruelling re-run of the original event. With weather conditions similar to those of 60 years ago, Dave and Roger left the start ramp in Glasgow (just as the Allard team did in 1952), battled through heavy snowfall’s in France and the Alps, to arrive in Monte Carlo for the final stages late on Wednesday night. At this time, further details are unavailable, but a more detailed account of their epic adventure will follow, with a full report in Tailwagger.

Congratulations go to Dave and Roger – their accomplishment certainly pays hommage to Sydney and the boys success in the most relevant and admirable way. On this ultimate test of motoring performance and durability, it is worthy to note that Dave’s 1950 P1 is very much an original specification car, utilising a 3.9L flathead engine on a single carburettor, 3 speed side-change transmission and flathead rear axle. Brakes, steering and shock absorbers are all standard. The only modifications for the rally were additional driving and reverse lamps, an alternator in place of the dynamo, and a truck heater ! Radial snow tyres were used, one set with studs.

Credits to Alex Edmonds (Allards yahoo group) for the photograph and Tailwagger Editor Mike Knapman (who helped Dave prepare the P1 for the event) for the technical information.

04.02.12


Allard, Adlards and Dralda house.

This period photograph shows Sydney Allard’s personal P2 monte-carlo alongside a MKVII Jaguar, taken outside the premises of Allard and Saunders, the building company owned by Dennis Allard, one of Sydney’s two brothers. The company was situated on Keswick Road, opposite Adlards Motors and the building was called Dralda House, which is Adlard spelt backwards. It seems there was some early subliminal marketing of the Allard Motor Company going on in South West London in the 1950’s !

The P2 was used by Sydney as Dennis was not officially allowed to drive after surviving a horrific motor cycle accident some years before, supposedly while racing away from a Policeman after he was caught speeding. The life-saving operation after the accident meant removing part of his brain. Dennis continued to drive ‘unofficially’, and his Allard P2 Safari is rumoured to still be in existence. Unfortunately he died in a cycling accident on the A23 at Handcross Hill in 1957 while cycling to Brighton Speed Trials.

Thanks to AOC membership secretary Darell Allard (nephew of Sydney & Dennis) for this photograph and  interesting feature.

04.02.12


January 1952 – Allard’s on ice

This seasonal photograph shows just how much fun can be had with an Allard at this time of year. Then owner, Mr Del Lee of Detroit is seen preparing his Allard J2 (#2123) for a time trial event on a frozen Lake Orion. The event featured a running ‘Le Mans’ start (think about it) with spiked or studded tyres banned. Later that year, the intrepid Mr Lee apparently blew two pistons while practicing for the Camp Dearborn Road Race, and replacements of the correct size could only be found in a Wisconsin built lawn mower ! Lee is reported to have purchased two such units, removed their pistons and fitted them to the Cadillac motor which #J2123 was running at the time. Halcyon days indeed. Chassis #J2123 is currently owned by Mr John Aibel  – it is unconfirmed whether the lawn mower pistons are still fitted.

Credit is due to www.psychoontyres.co.uk for this wonderful nugget of Allard trivia.

03.01.11


Monte Carlo celebration in Essen

AOC Membership Secretary Darell Allard was recently invited by the organizers of the Essen Motor Show, to display his Allard P1 on a Stand to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first Monte Carlo Rally. Darell’s stunning blue P1 was in distinguished company, with the display of 14 Monte Carlo Rally cars including the AC that won the 1926 event, the 1956 winning Jaguar Mk VII, and the 1967 winning Mini Cooper. It was a timely invitation as Sydney Allard’s famous 1951 Monte Carlo Rally victory will celebrate it’s 60th anniversary in January. To commemorate this historic win, AOC Captain Dave Loveys will be campaigning his P1 in the 2012 Monte Carlo Classic re-run in a few weeks time – Let’s hope with enough Mars bars and a good duffle coat, Dave could even repeat Sydney’s success !

We wish him and his team a safe and successful trip.

21.12.11


Award winning Tailwagger !

More than 300 classic car club representatives were present at Birmingham’s Hilton Metropole for the annual C&SC Club Awards on 12 November as part of the NEC’s Classic Motor Show weekend. We are proud to report that The Allard Owners Club received the award for the most improved club magazine. Congratulations to Mike Knapman, Tailwagger Editor, and all contributors – such recognition is just reward for all their hard work. A full report from representatives of the Allard Stand at the NEC show will follow soon.

12.11.11


Goodwood Revival 2011

Report – Darell Allard. Photo credits to Supercars.net.

We took the P1 to Goodwood for the Revival weekend and had chance to meet fellow members who were competing. In the Freddie March Memorial Trophy three Allards were entered. Patrick Watts with his J2, Julian Majzub’s J2R (the ex Dean Butler car) and AOC member Alan Patterson from Pittsburg USA, who has owned his J2X from new, having bought it from Sydney in 1952. Patrick qualified 5th in the J2 and despite being forced off at St Mary’s, and subsequently had a rapid drive to finish 3rd. Tim Llewellyn was due to drive the J2R, but broke a tooth on the distributor drive in practice and was unable to start.

Alan Patterson qualified in last place and progressed throughout the race at a steady pace. Other AOC members in action included Tony Bianchi who drove his Brabham BT5 Ford to 9th in the Madgwick Cup, Duncan Rabagliati finishing 15th in his Trimax JAP in the Earl of March Trophy, while in practice for the same race, Kerry Horan holed a piston in his Trenberth Vincent. It was as usual, a wonderful weekend, with the opportunity to see and hear many iconic cars and drivers.

  
 

24.09.11


Sixty years of Allard’s at Silverstone  The Allard Owners Club has been a small but regular part of the three day long Silverstone Classic since 2007. This year the event provided an ideal platform on which to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Club’s foundation by Sydney and his fellow enthusiasts. The hope was to persuade sixty owners to bring their cars. Although Club Captain Dave Lovey brought his two cars, this target proved overly optimistic. However, Allard turn out was better than previous years, especially on Sunday. The feeling of enjoyment and conviviality prevailed throughout, stimulated no doubt by relief at finding the stand after some frustratingly long periods in queues. No reports of any breakdown or boil ups. Things must be improving!

The Club’s Concours on the Saturday was the main attraction for Allard owners an 20 cars turned out. Examples of J1, L, M, K1, K2, P1 and J2 lined up to entice the voters. The Concours is decided by members’ votes with classes for best two seat open, best four seat open, best saloon, best replica/modified, best other make and longest distance travelled. As Saturday afternoon drew to a close, members and friends gathered to watch Club Patron, Alan Allard present the Concours awards, drink a toast to the Club, and enjoy a piece of birthday cake. After some high-spirited parade laps around the Grand Prix Circuit on Sunday morning, by 5pm the gazebos were down and the site empty. Allard owners made their way homewards, some for quite long distance, others not so far – but all enjoying the buzz that comes from having a truly classic car at a great event.

Report – Mike Knapman.
Thanks to AOC Member Lance Cole for his excellent photographs.
 

             

28.07.11


Mille Miglia Storica 2011

Entries for Allard’s on the 2011 Mille Miglia retrospective were limited to only two places, these being snapped up by Robert  and Pam Francis from Canada in the ex Don Shead Cadillac J2 and Simon Hope/George Beale in the ex-de Larringa Ardun powered J2. Simon Hope came home 125th and the Francis J2 237th.

For a full account of the event in Simon’s own words, please see Tailwagger June 2011.
 
  
 

14.05.11

 

 

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