One solution would have been to increase the length of the bar, but there was no room within the chassis to do this. There was no easy solution and we went ahead and produced three cars. One was for a member of the Du Pont family, to be powered by a large capacity Chrysler engine coupled with an automatic gearbox and De Dion rear axle. The others, both open models, were built on spec. While the Chrysler powered car was a GT, the extra weight of the American engine improved the front suspension. It was a modified engine with a somewhat vicious power curve that made it an unpleasant car to drive in traffic.
Sad to say the new owner was not pleased with his purchase, wanting a car that was more in keeping with the Facel Vega concept. It was shipped to the States in due course, not before it had had two minor accidents while being tested by Sydney and myself. The remaining two cars were eventually sold one to the Secretary of the Allard Owners Club, the other going to the States.
‘The Autocar’ Road Tested the works GT, but not without problems. The bonnet flew up causing a damaged roof and needing a new bonnet. ‘Autocar’ were very critical of certain aspects of the car, however I will always believe they did not shut the bonnet properly in the first place. The road test was completed in due course and the cars shortcomings were exposed. The reference in the report to poor workmanship reflected ‘Autocar’s’ view of the bonnet problem, which I felt was unnecessary. The works red GT was taken down to Goodwood for the Guild of Motoring Journalist Day and after scaring one possibly inexperienced journalist was withdrawn. Soon after Sydney announced that Allard production would cease.