Monterey 2023 Auction Preview

Three very interesting Allard’s will be crossing the auction block in Monterey this year. Each car has a compelling story and look to be in very good condition. We plan to check out each car prior to their sale so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

J2X 3074 was exported on September 25, 1952 to California Sports Car Company in San Francisco. It was equipped with Chrysler modifications and interestingly shipped in primer (no paint) with black interior. It was equipped with wire wheels, a 3.78 differential, full size windscreen & wipers, and a top. The buyer was noted west coast enthusiast Bob Gillespie who had the car painted red and the wheels painted white. The car was on the October 1953 cover of Road & Track along with being featured in a road test in the December 1953 issue of Auto Sport magazine. The car was entered to race at Pebble Beach in 1953 and Mrs Gillespie raced it to 4th in the Women’s race at Stockton in June of 1953. The car’s most famous owner, Steve McQueen acquired it in 1962 and he kept it until his death in 1980. The car was then purchased by the Imperial Palace Hotel in Las Vegas where it was on display in their museum for many years.

At some point the car was repainted dark British Racing Green. From the photos, the car appears to be in very good condition and the parts appear to be original to the era. The only minor issue we can see are the small Stewart Warner gauges (which can be easily replaced with original Smith’s & Lucas gauges).

The car will sell on Friday the 18th with no reserve and is expected to go for $300-$400,000, although we believe it could go for significantly more if the right bidders are in the room. Honestly the estimate seems low for a car in this condition with such a significant history. To learn more, visit: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/28011/lot/88/1951-allard-j2x-chassis-no-3074/

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The second Allard, RHD J2-2121 is another special car. It was delivered to distributor Nunn’s on August 27, 1951 who sold it to Bernard Scott-Wade on March 28, 1952. The car was painted metallic gray with a blue interior. The car was fitted with an Ardun-Mercury V8 which was the engine of choice in the UK since the Cadillac was unattainable. Unfortunately the UK Ardun’s weren’t very reliable and it was soon replaced with a Ford Pilot V8. In 1963, it was purchased by Gerry Belton, Allard’s former promotions manager, and was repainted in British Racing Green.

By 1968, the car was sold to Bob Judd of London. Mr. Judd took his newly purchased J2 to Allard’s Clapham workshop in London and received their blessing to install a new Cobra-specification engine into the car. With their blessing, a 289 Ford V-8 was installed. In the August 1969 issue of Autosport, Simon Taylor wrote, "With identical power and torque and similar weight to the AC Cobra, the (J2) is certain to be as quick as it felt. Once underway it just thunders forward, its snub green nose swallowing up the road and its Wagnerian exhausts seeming to blow everything else off the road."

The J2 was then relocated to the US having been purchased by noted collector Otto Bowden. While under his care, 2121 was featured in a Champion Spark Plug advertisement. In 2008, Dr. Stickley purchased the car and commissioned a significant restoration. The car was sold in 2013 and then again in 2016, where the new owner replaced the Ford Hi-Po V-8 with an Ardun-modified Ford flathead V-8 engine.

The car is in beautiful condition. As for originality, there are a few minor issues such as the tachometer (the other gauges appear correct), the custom armrest and the front brakes aren’t plumbed correctly - all of which can be corrected easily if so desired or left as is since most Concours judges wouldn’t know the difference! Please note the divers pedal box has been modified to allow for bigger feet - a welcome change! The car will be sold as Lot 56 and is expected to go for $275,000 - $350,000 which we believe is a solid price for a beautiful car with an interesting history. Click here to learn more: https://www.goodingco.com/lot/1951-allard-j2-1a/

PS: Previous owner Bob Judd put together the following ‘larger than life’ homage to his old Allard J2-2121 and the Allard Motor Company: http://www.allardregister.org/blog/2010/12/2/the-real-allard-story-hang-on-and-shut-up.html?rq=judd

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The final car, K1-595 was honestly a bit of a mystery to us. Our database noted its status as unknown. The basic details we had stated the car was delivered on July 24, 1948 and was painted light blue with blue interior and a note stating “see export card-purchased S/H in 1953 and shipped to California 12/53. The few details had had on the car though did line up with the write up from the Gooding so we’re just going to plagiarize their description (below):

“This very special K1, chassis 71K 595, was built by the factory in early 1948 as a rally car, and its Engineers Instructions production tag on file features the handwritten note on the reverse: “Special Construction for Alpine Rally…light weight body, 6-7-48.” The tag further specifies 71K 595 as set to receive aluminum wings, cowl, and bulkhead, special radiator and petrol tank, and Girling shock absorbers. It was delivered to the noted Leonard Potter of the UK. Fitted with the renowned Ford flathead V-8 engine, Potter successfully campaigned this K1 over the course of the year, winning the Unlimited Cup in the Allen Trial, the Jeans Gold Cup, and placing 2nd Overall in the prestigious Alpine Rally. Upon the close of the 1948 season, the K1 was sold back to Allard Works and was used as a sales demonstrator. Potter would then run 71K 595 again in the 1949 Alpine Rally for the Allard Works team, winning five separate awards for various stages in the famed event.

Following its campaign history, the K1 would then be relocated to the US in 1953 under the care of A.F.M. Luscombe. Stateside, it enjoyed life on the West Coast for quite some time, including time in Harrah’s Automobile Collection of Reno, Nevada. William Harrah eventually sold the car in 1971 to Allard racer Pete McManus. Throughout its ownership chain, it remained remarkably original, and would not be restored until the mid-2000s by marque specialist Hoffman Vintage Racing. Following the restoration, the K1 would go on to win multiple awards at prestigious concours events at Greenwich, Radnor Hunt, and Lime Rock Park.”

This car also looks to be in very good condition with solid originality. The car will be sold as Lot 147 with no reserve and the estimate ranges from $180,000 - $240,000. This special K1 is definitely worth the estimate, but K1’s are not the most sought after Allards - hopefully it sells well. To learn more, click here: https://www.goodingco.com/lot/1948-allard-k1/

Auction Alert: J2X-3161

Chassis 3161 was exported on May 2, 1952 to Shawnee Motors in Tokepa, KS.  It was specially ordered with Chrysler engine modifications, a Pat Warren quick-change differential, Alfin drums oil temperature gauge, 6 wire wheels, and dual side mounts for the spare wheels (most J2X’s only had a single spare mount). The car was painted red with a blue interior, which has been tastefully changed to black. The car was then delivered to its original owner Warren Turner.

In 1954, the car was sidelined by an electrical fire. In 1975, Allard enthusiast and future Allard Register Historian Bob Lytle found the car. The J2X was purchased by Allard racer and collector Duncan Emmons, who restored the car and installed a Cadillac engine. In 1992, it was purchased by Seattle-based collector and racer Ken McBride, who campaigned it in vintage events. In 2002, the seller purchased the car from Mr. McBride, and later sent it to Donovan Motorcar Service in Lenox, Massachusetts, where a period-correct Chrysler Hemi was built and installed. The consignor has successfully campaigned the J2X at some of the most celebrated vintage racing events in the US.

Having been cared for by a succession of Allard aficionados, the condition of this J2X has been lovingly preserved and improved over the decades. It is presented with fascinating period correspondence, receipts, and logbooks. With a powerful Chrysler Hemi and lightweight aluminum bodywork, the J2X is a rare and powerful sports car that will be warmly welcomed at vintage races and touring events throughout the US and abroad.

This car is listed as Lot #30 at the upcoming Gooding Scottsdale auction. The estimate ranges from $350,000 to $450,000 which we believe is reasonable for this car. Click here to learn more.

A portion of this text was taken from the Goodings writeup.

Allards & Allard Folks at Monterey 2015

If you are an automotive enthusiast, the Monterey Car Week cannot be missed. If you have the means and have not attended yet, you should make your reservations now. There simply is no other event in the world that brings together such a diverse range of cars. The only disappointment has been the steady decline of Allard’s on the Monterey Peninsula – be it on the track, the show lawn or the roads. However there is never a shortage of Allard enthusiasts on hand. 

Steve Schuler was on track at the wheel of his Allard J2 (3rd place finisher of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1950) bracketing this year’s nine day Monterey Car Week. Steve’s week began with the Monterey Pre-Reunion at Laguna Seca Raceway on August 8 & 9, and concluded on Sunday, August 16 where he raced to a 7th place finish at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion – despite the fact that his brakes went out in the early laps of the race. Steve had a busy weekend as he was also racing his insane IMSA Roush Mustang that keeps trying to destroy itself.

Three Allards were on display at various car shows in the course of the week. David Rossiter showed his immaculately re-restored red K2 at Tuesday’s Concours on the Avenue in Carmel, and on Wednesday Martin Allard’s cream-colored K3 earned the Blessed and the Best of British Cars award at the 3rd Annual Carmel Mission Classic. Jim Taylor’s unique red & white J2X was one 150 vintage sports and racing cars gracing the prestigious field at The Quail – A Motorsports Gathering on Friday.

On Friday we had a nice visit with Jim & Lisa Stec, who came out from Wisconsin to witness the sale of their Allard K3 at the Bonham’s auction. This K3 also happens to be the car that my son and I rebuilt and traded with Lisa’s uncle Paul a couple years ago. Paul passed away a few months ago and the family regretfully decided to divest themselves of much of his eclectic collection of preserved classic cars. We were all on pins and needles when the K3 drove up the ramp. Although the car did not hit the $100,000 estimate, it did sell for a respectable $87,500.

Martin Allard invited me to join him on his annual Thursday morning ‘mini-tour’ toward Big Sur to witness a part of the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance as the tour participants traveled out to Highway 1’s iconic Bixby Creek bridge before returning back to go on display on Carmel’s Ocean Avenue. 

On Sunday morning, three generations of Warnes’ rolled out of bed at 4:30 am, and with credentials in hand, partook in the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance ‘Dawn Patrol’. Despite the early hour, it is a special privilege to gather on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links to witness the Concours entrants make their way onto the show lawn at the picturesque Carmel Bay. 

While there were no Allards in this year’s field, Jim Taylor showed his 1954 Cunningham C-3 Vignale Coupé where he earned 2nd in the Post War Cunningham Class.  We also had a nice visit with Wayne Carini (“Chasing Classic Cars” on Velocity Channel). Wayne was sharing his enthusiasm about the Allard J2X that he recently purchased from long-term owner Bill Bauder. Wayne plans on keeping the car in his personal collection and has big plans to enjoy his new toy.

It may a be a bit premature, but you may want to pencil in the dates for Car Week in 2017…we’ll keep you posted if anything interesting develops!