The Last Checkered Flag: Andy Picariello

I had interfaced with Andy via phone calls and email for a number of years before our paths finally crossed at Monterey some 20 years ago.

I have since attended and participated in several Allard gatherings and tours where Andy played major roles in planning, organizing and leading. They include The Gathering of the Clan in Texas (2004), the Allard Northwest Tour (2006), the Southern Festival of Speed in New Zealand (2008) and The Glen in Ten (2010). Andy was instrumental in Allard being a featured marque at Amelia Island in 2011, and he helped to organize the second Texas Gathering in 2012.

Those experiences gave me a healthy appreciation for the work that Andy, Judy and other team members had invested in partnering with the event organizers – a process that often began a year or two beforehand. This included arranging for the on-track and paddock activities, promotion, lodging, banquets and finances. We especially appreciated how Andy and Judy did this all with their touch of grace and courtesy to assure that everyone had a grand time.

We appreciated how Andy facilitated bringing David Hooper over from England on at least three occasions to participate in the Northwest Tour and the Southern Festival of Speed, as well as serving as a judge along with Darell Allard and Brian Redman at Amelia Island. In the course of this David graciously shared a treasure of detailed and in-depth insight that he got from his years as an engineer with the Allard Company.

We were especially intrigued by Andy’s first-hand report of Tiller’s Bonneville Odyssey – 2000 (www.allardregister.org – issue #30). Andy’s report vividly described how he and Judy transported Jim Tiller’s heavily modified “Old Fella” Allard J2 and related equipment 2/3 of the way across the United States to Bonneville Utah. They then served as pit crew in support of Jim’s very innovative efforts to reach the 200 mph barrier with his Allard, before packing up and traveling back east to Massachusetts. Click here to read the story

Andy bought his Allard J2 sixty years ago in 1963, and his Allard K2 in 2003. Both cars received concours quality restorations, and they gave Andy much honor and respect as he toured and showed them at events around the country. But then Andy – like a lot of us – realized that he was not getting any younger. Since none of his offspring were ‘car guys’, he decided it was time to put them up for sale – without reserve – with RM Sotheby’s at Amelia Island.

While the cars did not bring as much as hoped, Andy was gratified that his J2 went to one of his long-time friends who had become ‘hooked’ on this Allard J2 when Andy gave him an opportunity to drive it a few years earlier. Andy told me that the new owner is planning to use this car for its intended purpose.

As Allard prices have ratcheted upward over the years, it can be tempting to entertain illusions about impending wealth. On the other hand, we respect and support Andy’s philosophy about the real value of the Allard ownership experience – and the doors it opened in terms of developing friendships and experiences beyond his wildest expectations

Chuck Warnes
The Allard Register

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For twenty-four years, Andy has been my guiding light into the world of Allard cars. For his friendship, his guidance and his support, Andy will always be remembered by me. His wit, his humour and his generosity were contagious. Andy’s devotion to the AOC knew no bounds and his inclusive nature provided venues and opportunities for new members and veterans to join in events, exchanges and forums that reenforced the bonds between them.

Andy, you have joined your life partner, Judy and have closed a chapter of life that will be fondly remembered by all of us. To Andy and Judy’s family, I extend my sincere condolences and would like you to take solace in the fact that your parents have left behind them large community of people that were touched by them and will never forget them.

Roger Allard
AOC member

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I first met Andy and Judy in person at the 2010 ‘Allard returns to Watkins Glen’ event which he organized. Had only corresponded with Andy via email prior to that. Communicated with Andy regularly throughout the years, often in search of various parts for my Allards. In fact, recently had purchased some parts for my upcoming J2 restoration from him, so was really shocked when I heard of his passing. Andy was always generous with his time and knowledge, and we have lost a true patron of the Allard marque. Hew will be missed but not forgotten.

Peter Bowman

The Last Checkered Flag: David Hooper

David Rowland Hooper, Designer and Engineer -Darell Allard

David hooper getting technical with bob lytle (left) and bill boone (middle) in New zealand

In his time David was Draughtsman, Designer and Chief Engineer for the Allard Motor Company.

He joined the company on a ‘5 year’ Apprentice in 1949. His apprenticeship covered all aspects of vehicle manufacture with at least 6 months being spent in each department. Chassis production, fabrication and development, machine shop, electrical and the drawing office.

At the end of his studies he had to leave the company to do two years National Service with the Royal Air Force. At the end of his time in the RAF he had a chat with Sydney Allard and decided to give up the idea of joining de Havilland and he re-joined The Allard Motor Company.

He remained with the company until 1965 when he left to join the GLC, taking up a post involving the development of ambulance vehicles – a continuation of the work he had been involved with whilst working for Allards.

During his time with the company he was involved in many design projects, including the development of the J2 and he also, with Sydney’s blessing, designed the Farrallac for Don Farrall.

Much to the annoyance of Dudley R. Hume, the Chief Draftsman, he signed his drawings with his initials DRH. As Dudley thought he was taking the mickey he insisted David provide his Birth Certificate to prove they had identical initials!

During his time in the RAF David started to think about building his own ‘Special’. He said it took years to build but was finally registered as 20 RPH. I don’t know when or how well it did in competition.

I first met David 62 years ago in 1961. It was at Brands Hatch when the First Dragster, which David had designed, was being demonstrated. Due to design regulations in this country, it was prevented from being as competitive as he wished, which was always a great disappointment to him.

In 1961 David offered, in exchange for running, to rebuild the iconic Steyr Hillclimb Special that Sydney had used to win the 1949 British Hillclimb Championship. It was on a trailer ‘in storage’ behind the Clapham High Street factory. He got it to his garage in Purley and spent time over the next 3 years restoring it to its original state. Over the next few years he ran it at Eelsmore Plain, Valance Hill Climb, and the Blackbushe Drag Festival.

My main memory of watching him at Blackbushe, in the pouring rain, was seeing him beat Chris Summers in his very powerful Cooper Monaco. Apart from a broken inner drive shaft at the second Valance meeting he had no major failures. The car is now in a private museum in the USA.

David designed a MacPherson style suspension which was fitted to the works Safari. In later years a variation of his design was fitted to the Mk2 Palm Beach. He spent months as part of the team developing the Clipper, which he described as ‘an almost impossible project’, and the building of two Midget racing cars for Wimbledon Speedway. David describes the day when Ronnie Moore was testing it and managed to roll it whilst at low speed, resulting in a broken collarbone.

As well as the production of their own cars, the company was always looking for projects to fill their under-utilised workshop facilities. So, David was also involved with prototype equipment for emptying parking meters, a sausage making machine, London Taxi’s, ambulance rear axle conversations for Hong Kong, Yorkshire Ambulance and the LCC.

On his retirement, after 25 years with the GLC, David’s interest in cars was replaced by boats and over the following years, he and his partner Pat, had a canal boat built for them and they enjoyed many Canal trips and involvement with the marina fraternity.

However, in 2003 he was contacted by Andy Picariello, US Allard Membership Secretary, and arranged to meet him together with Jim and Sheila Tiller at an Allard Club Night at the Marquis of Granby.

In the 1960’s David had worked on modifications to Jim’s car ‘The Old Fella’, and as Jim had, the previous year, made his record-breaking trip to the Bonneville salt flats it was almost inevitable that David would again become involved, working on more modifications prior to Jim’s appearance at The Brighton Speed Trials.

Together with Pat he undertook several visits to meet up with Allardists in the USA culminating with him and I being invited, together with Brian Redman, to judge the Allard entry at the prestigious 2011 Amelia Island Concours in Florida.

Left to Right: david hooper, brian redman, and darell allard judged the allard class at amelia island in 2011

As a font of all Allard knowledge, he was happy to assist anyone who needed help relating to their Allards, giving technical information and producing many drawings. He did drawings for many club members and helped me modify the gear lever system on my P type from column to floor change, so that it replicated the winning Monte Carlo Rally car, which I remember as a child when it was parked at our home in Bolney.

In fact, it was only a few days before he passed away he told me, he had one more drawing to do and he thought it would be his last.

Many of these details have been taken from David’s memoirs. “Reflections on my years with the Allard Motor Company Ltd and Beyond”. He has been writing them over the last few years and the week before he died he told me he just needed to make a few amendments it would then be complete, we could then have it to proof read and edit.

His memory remained sharp and he was able to clearly recall technical details and memories of events. He was a stickler for accuracy and would say ‘Why can’t people get their facts right – they only have to ask – I know how is was, after all I was there.’

Sadly he is no longer here to share his knowledge and memories.

David we will miss you.

-Darell Allard

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Some Memories of David -Chuck Warnes

Andy Picariello bought his Allard J2 back in 1963. As one might expect, a 13 year-old retired race car back in those days had led a rough life, and it needed a lot of work. Andy was fortunate to get plugged into Dave, who proved to be an invaluable resource for Andy’s meticulous restoration project - which developed into a close, long-term friendship. Up to that point Dave had never traveled beyond the British Isles, but thanks to Andy’s support and encouragement that was about to change.

I first met Dave in 2006 when he and Pat came over to accompany 25 Allards on the Northwest Tour. Next was the 2008 Southern Festival of Speed on New Zealand’s south island where he provided valuable technical support for several Allard owners. As Darell mentioned, he and Dave – along with Brian Redman – served at judges for the Allard class at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours in Florida. A year later we again welcomed the opportunity to visit with Dave at Texas World Speedway where we continued to pick David’s body of knowledge on Allard-related technical matters.

David Hooper sharing his knowledge in portland

Over the years Dave has provided insightful articles to the Allard Register including:

• Resurrecting the Steyr (issue #43)

• Reflections of My Time with the Allard Motor Company (issue #47)

• The Weak Link – Gearboxes (issue #48)

• The Allard Atom & Quick Change Differential (Issue #55)

I, along with many Allard owners, value the opportunities we had to know David over the years.

The Last Checkered Flag: Mel Herman

A Remembrance by Mike Knapman

Mel Herman lost his fight against cancer on Thursday 7th April, 2022. Mel bought his first Allard in 1969. It was an M drop head coupe painted in what could be called Caramel Brown. Chassis no. 823, reg number JC9685, the car that subsequent owner Kate Manley-Tucker and her husband drove to Peking in the Paris to Peking Rally.

I first met Mel and his wife Liz in the mid-1970’s when he brought the M to one of our Annual Concours held at Salisbury Hall. After selling the M to Kate Manley-Tuckert, he left us to pursue his business interests, re-joining in 2005 and undertaking the nut and bolt restoration of his second M, MUA 630 chassis no, 716, to award winning standards.

As well as setting a high standard of restoration, Mel contributed a great deal to the Club. Most members will know that his professionalism and expertise resulted in award winning stand designs for the Club at the Classic Motor Show, NEC. He also codified guidelines for the judging of cars entered in our Annual Concours, achieving a sympathetic balance between originality and modifications to improve reliability or performance. When Chris Sole unexpectedly died in March 2020 Mel, in conjunction with Josh Sadler and Geoff Pinch, was instrumental in saving all the “basket case” projects Chris had accumulated. Later, Mel became Editor of our newsletter. His opinions were always valued at our committee meetings.

Born in Edinburgh on October 14th 1944 Mel was re-settled in North Wales at an early age when his adoptive parents took over a small hotel in Prestatyn. Mel’s secondary education was at Rhyl Grammer School where his favorite subject was art. He eventually studied Industrial Design Engineering at the Central School of Art and Design, in Southampton Row, London.

On leaving Central Mel was invited to join a firm of architects at Rhyl and soon became involved in developing 500 stores, 3 distribution centers and a headquarters for the supermarket chain Kwik Save. After 13 years in the practice, Mel left to renew his career in Industrial Design Engineering, leading to the award of a Fellowship of the Chartered Society of Design in 1990 and the formation of Herman Design Associates Studio located at St Asaph.

Herman Associates was, for many years the only North Wales company qualified to develop and design projects for the UK Government’s ”Design for Business Programme” administered by the Design Council in London, who also became regular clients. In addition to the Design Council, Herman Associates worked for the Welsh Office and other Government bodies.

The offices at St. Asaph became rented office accommodation whose tenants included the Welsh Development Agency. This led to Mel branching out into a new commercial property venture. Mel and his old boss from the Rhyl architectural agency joined forces to restore Llannerch Hall, St Asaph. Mel subsequently going on to buy and restore Benarth Hall on the banks of the Conwy estuary. His last home, The Vinery, being built in the walled garden of the Hall.

In addition to his love of cars and all things Allard, Mel also was fond of sailing, regularly organizing a cruising club in the Aegean. His anecdote about how he managed to pass the boat, Premier Crux, under a very low bridge on a river in France on its transit to the Mediterranean was hilarious.

Mel generously left his collection of Allard literature to the Club’s archives and his accumulation of spares to the Club for the use of members. Mel was always meticulous and organized. It was typical of him that while in hospice he spent three hours on the telephone to Josh Sadler ensuring the spares were only to be used for live active Allard restorations and moreover he drafted the notes for the Celebrant to use at his funeral!

Mel was always even tempered and happy, a friend to all, often recounting stories and anecdotes over dinner, He will be sorely missed. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth and two sons Simon and Sefton, grandchildren and great grandchildren

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I never met Mel in person as we were 5,000 miles apart, but I got to know him over the years via email. I first came to appreciate Mel when he shared several photos of his beautiful M chassis 716. I was blown away by the quality of the restoration and the subtle upgrades he made to improve common structural weaknesses of the M. From there we corresponded over the years and Mel became one of my valued resources that I could refer restoration questions to that I could not answer. I then came to appreciate (from afar) Mel’s eye for design as he started creating some amazing Allard Owners Club show displays that definitely helped to promote the marque. Mel’s countless contributions to the Allard marque will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on for future Allard owners. Our condolences go out to his family and the AOC. -Colin Warnes

The Last Checkered Flag: Judy Picariello

We learned of Judy’s sudden passing yesterday this past week. Judy was truly a neat lady, and we treasure the opportunities that we have had to get to know her over the years.

I first met Judy and Andy some 20 or so years ago when they, together with Pete McManus, brought their cars (Andy and Judy’s J2, and Pete’s Ardent Alligator) out to Monterey. Since then we have witnessed and appreciated how Andy and Judy worked in partnership to organize several Allard and Allard-related events and activities. This included their strong support in getting the Jim and Sheila Tiller out to the Bonneville Salt Flats in their 200 MPH attempt, and the role they played in putting together the 2006 Allard Northwest Tour.

Andy and Judy provided the spark and organizational support that inspired several of us Allard folks to accompany them ‘down under’ to tour New Zealand’s South Island, and experience the Southern Festival of Speed in 2008.

This experience essentially set the stage for the last major Allard stateside gathering, The Glen in Ten at Watkins Glen NY. Those collective activities gave us ongoing opportunities go get to know and appreciate Judy. Our wives especially appreciated her approach in making them feel welcome into such an eclectic group of ‘car guys’.

In retrospect, these activities also gave Judy ample opportunity to get to know – and try to understand – the human sub-species commonly referred to as ‘Allard owners’. I vividly recall Judy’s wry observation about ‘car guys’ in general, British ‘car guys’ in particular - and her opinion that Allard ‘car guys’ were from a whole ‘nuther planet.

-Chuck Warnes

Special thanks to Roger Allard for sharing the photo above taken at the Newport Concours a few years ago.

The Last Checkered Flag: Dudley Hume

Dudley Hume, seated in the P2 prototype chassis

We were saddened to hear of the recent passing of our Club President, Dudley Hume. Below is a remembrance of Dudley by his daughter Sally Dornberger and Allard aficionado Mike Knapman. Also included is an appreciation by David Hooper who worked with Dudley in the Allard Drafting office. In the coming weeks we’ll post some insights from Dudley that we think you’ll find interesting. He will be missed.

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June 17, 1922 to May 31, 2019

Dudley Rowland Hume was born on June 17th, 1922 in Richmond, Surrey, to Charles Edward Homer Hume, an “engineer’s draughtsman” (an architect) and Jessie Frances Hume, nee Stagg. Jessie’s father was a captain on the White Star Line and later a Harbour Master of the Port of London.

Dudley grew up in Twickenham and trained as a draughtsman at Twickenham Technical College. He studied hard at night school and became an apprentice with a company making electrical equipment, initially as electrical engineer but changing mid-course to a jig and tool draughtsman. During WW2 this was a protected profession but he joined the Home Guard as a motorcycle dispatch rider.

In 1942 he met Eileen Pope at Richmond ice rink and they married on July 6th, 1946 at Heston Church, Middlesex.

In the post-war period Dudley joined AEC as a jig and tool draughtsman later transferring to the chassis design office. When he saw an advertisement for a chassis designer at Aston Martin he successfully applied for it, deciding in the process to abandon thoughts of further study and instead to fulfil his childhood ambition of becoming a car designer and build his first car. During his life Dudley was to design and build several cars, including the Allard JR, the Barracuda and a Triumph powered two-seater special.

During his time at Aston Martin he had done some drawing jobs for Reg Canham, General Manager at the Allard Motor Co.. When David Brown, shortly after buying Aston Martin also bought Lagonda, prospects for the Aston Martin employees were not bright – new brooms, etc. – so Dudley decided to move on. His contact with Reg Canham proved fruitful and in 1949 Dudley moved to Allard as Chief Draughtsman. As it happens crossing paths with Ted Cutting who had been at Allard since 1946, and went to Aston Martin where he was involved in the development of the DBR racing cars (their careers might well have coincided later when both worked at Ford).

Allard tubular frame chassis as designed by Dudley

Whilst cars were Dudley’s main passion (his first car was a 1930’s Trojan) his hobbies were model airplanes which he used to fly in Richmond Park and later steam railways, full size and 16mm model scale. Family holidays, in Devon, Cornwall or Wales, always involved a ride on a steam railway and he had model trains running around inside and outside several of his homes.

In the late 1950’s Dudley and Eileen chose a different path and embarked on pub landlord training with Courage breweries. Their first pub was the Red Lion Inn at Turners Hill in Sussex. Eventually Dudley left the pub business and took a job at the Ford Motor Company in Essex, the family moving to West Kingsdown in Kent.

After retiring from Ford in 1986, Dudley and Eileen moved to Ventnor on the Isle of Wight for a short time before returning to the mainland. In 1990 Dudley was the Honorary President of the Allard Register and they were invited to the United States to be present at the classic car meet in Monterey, California.

After a spell as “ex-pats” in Spain Dudley and Eileen moved to Bourne in Lincolnshire. When Eileen died in 2007 – they had been married over 60 years – after a few years Dudley decided to move down south, to more ‘familiar territory’ at Teston, Kent.

The Allard JR as designed by Dudley

Dudley worked for the Allard Motor Company from 1949 to 1954, the last two years as a consultant. During his time there he stiffened up the chassis of the P1 saloon, designed the J2X, the tubular chassis, the Palm Beach, the P2 and notably the JR. Always willing to pass on his experience he wrote many technical articles for the Allard Owners Club newsletter and 65 years on was collaborating with the Allard family about the construction of their continuation JR. His legacy will surely live on.

-Sally Dornberger and Mike Knapman

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AN APPRECIATION OF DUDLEY HUME

Dudley Joined the Company in1949 as Chief Draughtsman, being based at the drawing office which was next to the Allard main works in Park Hill, Clapham. At the time he joined, the M type was near to being replaced by the Pl saloon and the J2 was already in build; Dudley was hard pressed to implement these changes from leaf sprung front suspension to coil spring plus introduction of telescopic shock absorbers. Dudley’s knowledge of vehicle suspension design enabled him to draw up coil spring specification to cover the dimensions, spring rates and frequencies.

At this time the works had updated its equipment with a British Oxygen profile cutter, a bending machine and a Dunlop wheel balancer all of which helped increase production of chassis components, along with an increase in quality. The profile cutter enabled Dudley to help introduce patterns from full size dimensioned drawings to balance the workloads.

The supplier of the pressed steel side members, which had been used on all Allard chassis, required new tools at an increase in cost the Company could not fund. This resulted in Dudley’s twin tubular design being produced in house. This new design was used on all P2, K3, Palm Beach MK 1&2 and JR models.

For the 1953 Le Mans Dudley convinced Sydney that the only way he could produce a new design was to forgo his Allard works commitments and work from home – this Dudley did and left the Company when the JR design was complete. Dudley had always wanted to design an Allard from scratch – this he achieved.

-David Hooper

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Special thanks to the Allard Owners Club for alerting us of Dudley’s passing and for sharing these remembrances.

The Last Checkered Flag: Syd Silverman

Syd Silverman, owner and chairman of Vintage Motorsport magazine from 1990 – 2012, and a staunch supporter and participant in the preservation, presentation and celebration of motorsports and its history for nearly four decades, died on August 27 in Boca Raton FL. 

Though his profession was publishing, his passion was automobile racing. His life after the sale of Variety Inc. was focused on collector cars, historic auto racing and Vintage Motorsport, which he acquired in 1990. During that time he assumed role as publisher of the Allard Register for number of years, and continued to serve as sponsor for our newsletters (Syd was the reason there are no dues required to join the Allard Register!).

Syd caught the car bug at an early age, from working as a gas jockey and grease monkey at a local garage in his hometown of Harrison NY. His affinity for British sports and racing cars was spurred by his first sight of a yellow & black Allard J2X in a New York showroom. He rekindled is love of sports cars and road racing in the mid-1970’s at Ferrari club track days at Lime Rock and Watkins Glen, and he purchased his first vintage race car, a Hemi-powered Allard J2X in 1978. 

After selling Variety in 1987, he turned his attention to expanding and utilizing his growing collection of vintage racecars, which he campaigned in vintage race venues across the US. He organized two Allard reunions in 1982 and 1985, and played a key role in supporting the Allard gathering at Laguna Seca in 1990.

Syd continued to actively participate in vintage racing until 2007, and sold controlling interest in Vintage Motorsport to his son, Michael – also a longtime vintage racer – in 2012. He is survived by his second wife, Dr. Joan Hoffman; four children, daughter Marie Silverman Marich and sons Michael, Mark and Matthew.

The Last Checkered Flag - Bill Pollack

It’s with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to the last of the great Allard racers. Bill Pollack took his last checkered flag in July 16 at the age of 92. Bill was born on July 7, 1925 in New York to Lew and Helen Pollack. The family moved out west when Bill was ten, as his father became a noted Hollywood songwriter.

Bill lived a life of adventure throughout his youth – riding his horse all over San Fernando Valley, joy riding in bulldozers, and getting into all sorts of mischief. He joined the Army Air Corps at the age of 18 where he learned to fly in an AT-10, and then graduated to B-24, B-26, and B-29 bombers. Bill never made it overseas and he was sent home after the atom bombs were dropped on Japan. He had hoped to turn his flying experience into a job with TWA, but that was not to be. Bill’s father fell ill and he went back to Los Angeles to be with him. During that time, Bill started courting the love of his life, Bobbi Jean Yoder and he started college at Loyola.

Bill found his next love in 1949 – in the form of a brand new red MG TC. However his family’s limited budget forced him to be satisfied with of a used TC. This car awakened the racer in Bill, and he was in the right place at the right time. The Southern California racing scene was in its infancy and the early drivers became fast friends who would later become legends – Roger Barlow, John Edgar, Johnny von Neumann, Jack Early, Al Moss, and Phil Hill. Much like the AT-10, the MG served as Bill’s trainer before he transitioned into some faster wheels.

Bill heard through Al Moss that a guy named Tom Carstens from Tacoma, Washington had bought an Allard and wanted to go racing as an owner. Bill called Tom and somehow convinced Tom that he would be the perfect driver for his J2. In reality Bill had never actually driven an Allard, but he had ridden in an Allard, for a test drive around the block with Allard distributor Noel Kirk. Bill was lucky to connect with Tom, as he and his team really knew how to prepare a thoroughbred sports racing car.

On May 27, 1951, the world was introduced to Tom Carstens’ gleaming black Allard J2 #14 – and driver Bill Pollack – at the Pebble Beach Road Races. Ironically, Bill was only introduced to #14 the day before during the test drive when he punched it and almost drove it off of HWY 1 into the Pacific Ocean. What power! Bill easily won the race and continued winning at Reno, Pebble Beach again, Golden Gate, and Madera.

Bill and #14 finally lost to Phil Hill at Pebble Beach in 1953. The car was experiencing trouble with the left front brake which limited Bill to third place. After the race, Bill and mechanic Charles Drucker took the car out to diagnose the problem when an axle snapped, sending #14 and its occupants into a pine tree. Bill and Charles survived, but #14 was a ‘goner’. Bill and #14 were so famous that Auto Sportsman Magazine eulogized the end of this racing partnership (August ’53, see below). From there Bill moved on to successfully race Jaguars, Ferraris, Alfas, Corvettes, and Maseratis – along with a variety of specials. Bill was good and he could have been great, but he had a family that he loved, and he enjoyed his life as an amateur racer.

While #14 was deemed a ‘goner’ – this part of the story does have a postscript. David Brodsky found #14’s remains sometime in the 1980’s, and gave the car an accurate and painstaking restoration. He thus proceeded to re-introduce it at the 1989 Monterey Historics with none other than Bill Pollack at the wheel. Bill also given the honor to serve as pilot for this iconic Allard at the 1990 Monterey Historics, when Allard was the featured marque.

As a child, Bill used to build elaborate racetracks for his toy cars in the dirt of the family ranch. Bill later got to live out one of his childhood fantasies when he was asked to design the new Willow Springs Raceway just north of LA in 1952. Bill’s family revealed that he later admitted he didn’t really know what he was doing. The course was basically limited to where they could get the bulldozer to on the various hills around the track. Willow Springs may not have the prestige of Laguna Seca or Watkins Glen, but it’s believed by many to be one of the best tracks in America – and its layout has never been altered. 

Bill worked a variety of jobs relating to advertising and marketing. He actually got his start in advertising with the legendary Pete Peterson who hired Bill to do advertising for the new magazine Auto Speed and Sport. One of Bill’s racing connections liked what he had done for the Cal Club and other media, so his old racing buddy Jack Nethercutt hired Bill as Vice President of Marketing at Merle Norman Cosmetics.

Bill’s advertising experience must have led to a passion for writing. Over the years, Bill has written numerous short stories and two books. The first book was the self-published novel, “Tanager” – about a whale and a man fighting to save the world. You would be forgiven if you have never heard of this masterpiece – when asked about the book, Bill’s daughters laughed for a good minute. The second book, Bill’s autobiography “Red Wheels and White Sidewalls: Confessions of an Allard Racer” is a must read. This book is an absolute joy to read and it gives a lot of insight into Bill’s amazing life, his humor, 50’s sports car racing, and of course #14.

Sometime in the 80’s Bill, along with Art Evans and Phil Hill, created a non-club called the “Fabulous Fifties”. This unofficial group brought together the racers, mechanics, owners, and enthusiasts from the 1950’s Southern California sports car racing scene and beyond. They would gather periodically at a variety of interesting automotive locations around the LA area and Monterey to bench race and tell tall tales. Allard Register historian Bob Lytle allowed my dad and I to attend some of these events as long as we didn’t make damn fools of ourselves. As a 20 year-old, mechanical engineering student with aspirations of becoming an automotive engineer and Allard racer – I was in heaven!

It’s interesting that Bill really only raced an Allard six times. However those six races had quite the impact on Bill and his life. Bill was a good husband to wife Bobbi, loving father to daughters Mellette and Leslie, friend to many, businessman, author, and story teller. But for most people, he will be known as the guy that raced the black Allard with red wheels and white sidewalls*.

God Speed Bill!

*Why did the car have white sidewall tires? Post WWII, most tires were made from hard, artificial rubber. Prior to WWII Tom Carsten’s bought a warehouse full of white sidewall tires for his travelling salesmen (Tom owned a successful Pork company in the Pacific Northwest). These tires were made from soft, natural rubber which made them very grippy – it was one of the team’s many secrets to their success.

Auto Sportsman, August 1953

Auto Sportsman, August 1953

The Last Checkered Flag - Alan Patterson

It's with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Alan Patterson, an Allard enthusiast of the highest degree. Alan was one of very few Allard owners that could say that they were an original owner. Allard acquired his first Allard, J2X-3072 from Motorsport, Inc. out of Pittsburgh, PA in 1952. He actively raced this car from new, running at Watkins Glen starting in 1954 and then over the years all over the world (see video from Alan racing at Monte Carlo below). Although Alan has owned and raced several other cars over the years; Allard's were always his true love. In addition to 3072, he has also owned another J2X, a J2X Le Mans, and most recently a Clipper and Sydney Allard's GT Coupe which he raced this past year at Monterey. On Friday of race weekend, I had the pleasure of driving around the Laguna Seca roads with Alan in the GT - I even got stuck in the car for 20 minutes after the door latch on my side failed - requiring me to contort my way over the roll cage and through the drivers door - much to the delight of Alan!

In addition to being an Allard enthusiast, Alan was a great guy. He was always happy and ready with a story. At the races, he was always putting around the pits in his green Mini Moke - he even loaned me the keys a few times to take my family around Laguna Seca.

One of Alan's greatest achievements was co-founding the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix in 1983. Over the years, the PVGP has raised over $4 million since then...a fact that brought a lot of joy to his heart. Racing must be a genetic trait in the Patterson Clan. In 2016, the Patterson family boasted six family members racing in the PVGP!

Alan was 85 when he passed on June 30. Plans for Alan's Memorial Service are still being finalized. We hope to post a more formal remembrance as more details are known.

Cheers to you Alan and I hope you are having a blast racing the Guv'nor up there!

John Fitch, The Last Checkered Flag

On Wednesday October 31, automotive legend John Fitch took his last checkered flag. John was born on August 4, 1917 in Indianapolis, Indiana. John was a renaissance man when it came to automobiles...he not only raced them, he was a mechanic, built succesful specials, invented new technologies, track proprieter, and safety pioneer. John was perhaps best known for his racing career where he raced MG's, Cunninghams, Maserati's, Jaguar's, Corvette's, Formula 1, and an Allard.

In 1951, John was invited to race in the inaugural General Peron Grand Prix in Buenos Aires. There was only one problem...he didn't have a suitable car. John talked his friend Tommy Cole into selling him his wrecked J2 (#1514) for cheap. John straightened the chassis, pounded out the body, bled the brakes, and then kissed his very pregnant wife goodbye as he left for Argentina. Two other Allard owners were entered, Fred Wacker and good friend Tommy Cole in his new J2. John led the race from the start with his only serious competition coming from Wacker who finished a lap down in second. It was John's first win and it earned him a seat at Le Mans with the Cunningham team later that year.

To learn more about the life of John Fitch, click here to visit his Wikipedia page. The photo above was taken of John at the 2002 Monterey Historics where Corvette was the featured maque.

Ted Turner, The Last Checkered Flag

Ted Turner, son of Tom and Yvonne Turner, passed away unexpectedly on June 6, 2012. Longtime Allard owners will remember Ted’s father, Dr. Tom Turner, who was the major Allard cheerleader in the US until he passed away 20 years ago. Ted accompanied his father to racing events and assisted him in the restoration and maintenance of his many cars. Ted was actively involved in working with his father in the collection, restoration and racing of Allards throughout the late 1980’s and early ‘90’s.

Ted’s interest and enthusiasm for Allards continued after Dr. Tom Turner’s sudden passing in 1994, as he supported and assisted his mother, Yvonne as she continued to campaign Tom’s beautiful and infamous flathead powered J2. Other Allard owners have since come to appreciate Ted’s assistance as he has continued to share items from his father’s extensive Allard archives and parts bins.

Ted graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Ted was an Adjunct Professor of Biology for Dallas County Community College District at El Centro College and Brookhaven College.

Ted is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Hinkle-Turner; 2 sons, Jerry Turner and J.T. Turner; a sister, Anne Turner Rhodes and a brother, Bob Turner.

Al Moss, The Last Checkered Flag

We just received news that Allard distributor Alan 'Al' Moss just passed away at the age of 80. Al was a legend in the West Coast sports car scene...ever heard of Moss Motors? It's tough to even start describing Al's amazing life. Not only was he an entrepenuer, but he was an absolute character and jokester. I am honored to have had the brief chance to get to know the man...enjoying several long phone calls reminicing about Allard's and the people that raced them. We'll come back soon with a more fitting tribute to this legend.

The photo above is of Al Moss sitting in Hastings Harcout's J2X in front of Ak Miller's shop.

God speed Al.

PS: The Allard Register was honored when Al passed on all of his Allard correspondence to us. To read some of it, just type 'Moss' into our search bar.