Build: May 1939
Lush says FXP469 was completed in May 1939 with the cryptic note2 that while the two “new look” cars (presumably FXP470 and LMG192) were under construction another order was going through, this time for a short chassis two seater. He shows a photo of FXP469 as a close coupled 2 seater.
HISTORY
Nothing is currently known about the car’s early history until it was bought by second owner GL Hancock and used in trials between December 1948 and mid 1950. The next owner, who bought it from Mercury Motors prior to August 1952 reported that it had 22,000 genuine miles on the clock, so it had clearly been in use. By the mid 1960’s, when Peter Redman bought it, it was complete but scruffy. He used it in a few sprints and since it went to America in the early 1970’s it seems to have been little used.
SPECIFICATION
There is little direct information about the spec of this car. A composite picture emerges from later references as follows:
Chassis AM12
- Ken Hutchison observed that “all Allard chassis are virtually identical” and so we can assume that FXP469 had the standard 2 seater dimensions of 8’4″ wheelbase, 4’8″ front track and 3’2 1⁄2″ rear track. There is a view in current Owners Club circles that all the pre-war cars had 1932 (swaged) side rails.
Steering and brakes
- Marles high ratio steering box (a later owner recalled the steering box being warn and having to tighten it up for scrutineering…).
- Cable brakes on all four wheels with a fly-off handbrake.
Transmission
- It seems that FXP469 was built with a Columbia two speed rear axle. The second owner (GL Hancock) removed this and a later owner (Peter Redman) refitted one.
Engine
- The standard build was with a Ford V84. Hancock fitted a Mercury engine and Peter Redman installed a Canadian Mercury in the mid 1960s.
Body
- Built in the New Look style, photographs show FXP469 to be a very attractive two seater with a straight bonnet line, full wings, a slab tank holding two spare wheels and rudge wire wheels. The body is probably by Whittingham and Mitchel who made the two seater bodies.
WHERE IS IT NOW?
In Virginia, USA. A new owner is planning to fully restore it
