Rallying With Sydney Allard

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By Hugh Braithwaite

Passing outside his office Ifirst saw the car that I had agreed to navigate in for Sydney Allard and my attention was immediately drawn to two unusual features. Firstly there was a long piece of angle iron sticking up out pf the floor beside the driving seat, topped off with a rubber bicycle handlebar grip. It was fitted so that the top was close to the gear change lever on the steering column. Secondly there was an enormous thick magnifying glass fitted on the steering column between the dash board and the centre of the steering wheel. I was used to all the usual fittings of flexi light for map reading, horn button on the navigators’ side to save the driver having to take a hand off the wheel and also for helping to steady the navigator's nerves, though I never admitted to this.

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Amelia Island, 2010

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Like the swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano, or the buzzards to Hinkley Ohio, March is the time for the faithful to return to Amelia Island. From AC to Zagato, the 15th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance lived up to its history and hype, and once again presented a stunning array of cars and motorcycles to one of the largest crowds on record.

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Book Review: “Anglo-American Cars, From the 1930’s to the 1970’s”

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Written by Norm Mort, Veloce Publishing, 2009, 96 Pages. ISBN: 978-1-845842-33-8

 “Anglo-American Cars, From the 1930s to 1970s” is the latest book from Norm Mort from the “Those were the days…” book series by Veloce Publishing. The book is broken down by decade, and then alphabetically by manufacturer. “Anglo-American Cars …” presents a summary of each manufacturer, their principals, the cars they made, and the reason for their demise. The book is printed on heavy weight paper and features many interesting photos, most of which are in color.

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Allard of the Week: K2 1741

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K2 #1742 was shipped from the London docks on October 13, 1950 and was shipped to the USA without engine. Upon arrival, it was fitted with the preferred Cadillac 331 engine, with a single – bbl Carter carburetor, and 3-speed Ford transmission. Most of the early history of the car is unknown, other than it spent most of its early life on the East Coast and the Midwest, ranging in location from North Carolina to Indiana. In the early 1980’s it was even sold at one of the Barrett-Jackson auctions. After bouncing around between owners, it eventually ended up with

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Allard K2 Damaged at Russo & Steele

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Unfortunately an Allard K2 was a part of the unfortunate tent collapse that happened at the Russo & Steele auction last weekend in Scottsdale, AZ. Fortunately, from the photos that were captured from a YouTube video, the car appears to have sustained relatively minor damage, especially when compared to other cars. For those of you unaware, the tent where the auction cars were stored, collapsed due to the severe winds that were part of a major storm that swept through the Southwest. Damage to the cars was estimated at $1.5 million.

Click the picture above to watch the video.

Mark Your Calendars, the Allard's are Gathering at Watkins Glen!

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Plans are underway for an Allard Gathering at Watkins Glen this September to celebrate Erwin Goldschmidt’s win 60 years earlier. His car, along with many other Allards will be there to celebrate the event. Andy Picariello is organizing the event which will take place during the SVRA’s U.S. Vintage Grand Prix Festival this September 10-13. Many Allard special events will take place throughout the weekend, including a drive on the Old Course and a special display at the track. All Allard owners are encouraged to attend with their cars, whether racing or not. If you are interested in attending, please email Andy at afpic@cape.com with your contact information and if you intend to bring your car for race or show. Andy needs to get the SVRA an initial head count soon (for lodging and track space), so if you are interested, please contact him now (this is not a formal commitment!). Organizing an event like this takes a lot of work, so if you’d like to help Andy, please let him know! We look forward to seeing you there!

Click here if you are interested in attending!

Additional information:
Watkins Glen Web Site
Event Web Site
SVRA Web Site

Bob Lytle, Remembered

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Ardent Allard enthusiast, archivist, historian, ambassador, and accomplished racer – and my good friend – Bob died on December 13th with his family by his side.

I first met Bob several years ago at the Monterey Historic Races. It did not start as a face-to-face meeting, because my first view of Bob was his long legs sticking out from under his J2X. “Hi Bob. It’s Andy.” I said. “What’s going on?”

“Damn diff is coming loose. Pass me the nine-sixteens, will you?” Greasy fingernails were followed by several beers and a long chat.

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Allard Dragster Update

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A lot of progress has been made since we last reported on the Allard Dragster restoration project that is being carried out by the Allard Chrysler Action Group (ACAG) in association with the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu in the UK. Below is an overview of the progress that has been made:

  • The ACAG has partnered with www.project1320.com which is an online community focused on vintage drag racing and history.
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Bob Lytle - The Last Checkered Flag

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I just received word that Bob Lytle has taken his Last Checkered Flag. Bob fought a long fight with cancer and now he’s finally at peace.

‘Cottonwood’ Bob (aka ‘Spur Gear’) was a larger than life personality and he served as the Allard Register and was a fixture on the west coast vintage racing circuit in his Black #65 Allard J2X.

Bob requested that no memorial service be held…but please feel free to leave a comment below with your remembrances of Bob. A more fitting obituary will follow…

Bob was a good friend and I will miss him.

All the best,
Colin Warnes 

Allard Saloon/Touring Car?

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Perhaps one of the more interesting Allard specials was the Dolphin, which was based on an Allard L-type. What made the Dolphin-Allard unique was its retractable hardtop, allowing the car to be either a closed saloon or open touring car. The retractable hardtop was designed and commissioned by Mr. John R.V. Dolphin of Dolphin Industrial Development.

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Moustaches Fighting Cancer

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This just in…Gavin Allard, grandson of Sydney is growing a moustache this year for Movember. What is Movember you ask? Movember (www.Movember.com) is the new name for November, which has been renamed in honor of the brave men throughout the world growing moustaches to fight prostate cancer. The cause is especially important to Gavin since it was cancer that took Sydney. If all goes well, Gavin’s ‘stache will look like the artists impression shown on the right by the end of Movember.

To donate, click on this link http://uk.movember.com/mospace/116923/

Thanks in advance for your support!

(Gavin also serves as the Historian for the Allard Motor Company, click here to email him)

Rescuing the 'Guvnors P2

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By Roger Murray-Evans

In early September '09, I got the word that that an Allard P2 Monte Carlo saloon located in Wales was looking for a home. Its owner from 1982 had long term health problems and was re-locating to Malta, and was seeking a new home urgently. Back in the late '70's, at an AOC monthly club night at the George 1V, Portugal Street, London, a couple of lads appeared and were chatting about a certain P2 with a Cadillac engine that they were/had buying/bought.

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A Weekend Away, Racing at Spa

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By Tom Walker

Spa was terrific as usual. The sun shone and we had a great time. The Spa Historic 6 Hours meeting is reckoned to be one of the best in Europe for old car racers. There is a great spread of entries , from pre-war sports cars to my favorites…the big bangers, Lola T70, Porsche 917, Matra, Ferrari…and the circuit is acknowledged to be the best fun to drive on. The 6 hours is on the Saturday night, from 5pm till 11. I have never taken part, preferring to chill out on one of the excellent viewing banks with a crate of cold amber nectar, the light slowly fading and the headlights coming on in the dusk. 

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For Sale: P1 Special

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This particular Allard is a hybrid. The original car was a P1 saloon, 4-seater (Chassis P 2240). The chassis was altered to the same dimensions as the J2. A small block Chevy 283ci, 4700cc was fitted, with a Mark 10 Jaguar independent back end which has a limited slip differential. It has GM inboard disc brakes. Aluminum body.

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Goodwood Revival 2009

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By Mel Herman

Everyone I had spoken to about the Goodwood Revival says what a great event it is. I have been to many Classic race meetings and expected just another of the same. Wasn't I wrong.

The sheer volume of great cars, the enthusiasm of those attending in period costume, the sideshows and events put on by the organizers all, in my mind, add up to a fantastic, not to be missed spectacle with something for all the family. The Henly and Ascot for Classic Cars.

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