Build: December 1937 or January 1938
Lush says ELX50 was registered in December 1937 which is consistent with the first record I can find of it on a trial run by the combined clubs in Kent on 9 January 1938, the report observing: “a notable feature was the entry of KN Hutchison with the very latest in “trials” specials, the twelve-cylinder Zephyr engined Allard Special. Hutchison had only taken delivery of this fierce machine a few days before”.
However a “for sale” advert by Adlards in February 1939 says that ELX50 was delivered on 31 January 1938. In a later article Hutchison describes how, when his friend and team-mate, Sydney Allard decided to go into limited production, this led to “hours of discussion and designing and scheming” resulting in him taking possession of the first 12 cylinder Allard Special. In another wartime article Hutchison elaborated that as the new car was intended to have more refinements than CLK5 (general fittings of a touring car: more robust body, doors, hood, better mudguards) it was decided a larger engine was needed to cope with the additional weight, though this resulted in poorer power-weight ratio than with a V8. The Motor published a very nice article having borrowed this new car for two days and had great fun with it.
SPECIFICATION
The description I choose to follow is the one given in Motor Sport during the month of its completion, probably written by Bill Boddy. A later account from an interview with Ken Hutchison contains some differences of detail, which I think are probably changes of spec over time or errors of recollection.
Chassis
- Built from new Ford members cut down as necessary to a wheelbase of 8’3″ (though perhaps 8’8 1⁄2″,which was the standard wheelbase for a 4 seater) front track of 4’8″ or 4’8 1⁄2″ and rear track of 4’2″. LMB divided front axle.
Steering & Brakes
- Marles high ratio steering box. It would have had cable brakes on all four wheels and a fly-off handbrake.
Transmission
- Lincoln Zephyr gearbox, top ratio 3.5:1 (the 1943 article says a Ford V8 gearbox, the standard gearbox for Lincoln Zephyrs, with top 4.11:1, occasionally 3.5:1). No differential lock.
Engine
- Lincoln Zephyr V12 (1943 article says standard compression ratio, coil ignition system with no special tuning). The Motor says thinner gaskets were used and dual fuel pumps, one mechanical and one electric in reserve. They found petrol consumption to be 16mpg. In a later for sale ad Hutch says it has interchangeable V12 and V8 engines, and a Scintilla magneto.
Tank
- 30 gallon tank behind rear axle, to aid wheel adhesion (1943 article says 40 gallon, though as for sale ad in Dec 1938 says 30 gallon, I think this is correct).
Body
- There are many photographs of the white painted, slab tank ELX50 including on the cover of Motor Sport in August 1938, competing at Brooklands. Hutch had specified a higher quality build, sacrificing lighter weight. The exclamation mark after the Motor Sport article referring to “a quite close-coupled two-seater!” suggests just how close coupled this two/four seater car was.
COMPETITION HISTORY
ELX50 was an extremely successful car. Ken Hutchison won the Presidents Trophy trial soon after getting the car, Sydney set the Sports Car record at the opening meeting of Prescott, Ken winning this class again at the next Prescott meeting, and having many more major successes. Parker too had many victories and fine performances with the car in its original form, including winning the Kennedy Cup in the West of England Spring Trial and winning the Aldershot trial.
WHERE IS IT NOW?
I have found no information about this car following the disappearance of Len Parker’s Parker Special after December 1950. Peter Valentine says it was written off at around this time, and Tom Lush says it was scrapped.
