RM Auction Preview - Bob Lytle's J2X #3162

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On August 13, RM Auctions will sell Allard J2X #3162 (Lot 230) . To most, this is just another J2X; to me however, this is one of the most important Allards ever made. Ever since I was a kid, my dad would take me to the Monterey Historics; then he bought a basket case Allard K3. From that point on, my dad developed a friendship with All Knowing Allard Nut, Bob Lytle; and I fell in love with his black #65 J2X. For many years I dreamt that Bob would call me up to tell me he couldn’t race at Monterey that year and would ask if I wanted to race his car. Sadly that call never came, and unfortunately my dad and I lost a great friend to cancer this past December.

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The Allard Atom

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By David Hooper

The ‘Atom’ project originated from Ronnie Green the promoter of Wimbledon Speedway who placed an order with the Company to build a prototype 500cc JAP powered small ‘dirt track’ style car. In the 50’s speedway was beginning to lose its appeal due to rather processional racing with little overtaking, and the winner usually being the leader after the first corner – nothing new!

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7th Grand Prix de Monaco Historique

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On May 1st & 2nd, the streets of Monaco were closed for the 7th Edition of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. I’m a big fan of modern formula one, but nothing beats vintage race cars tearing through the tight, twisting, and undulating streets of Monaco. Racing at Monaco has largely been for Grand Prix Cars, but for a few years in the 1950’s they raced Sports Cars. It’s for this reason, that out of the 8 race groups, one is reserved for Sports Cars from the late 40’s & early 50’s. It should be noted that in 1952, two Allard J2X’s were raced by Anthony Hume and Fernando Mascarenhas, but did not finish.

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The Simeone Foundation Museum

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I recently returned from a business trip to a city that I’ve wanted to visit for a long time…Philadelphia! There are three main reasons I wanted to visit Philly: 1) Pat’s King of Steaks, 2) Geno’s Steaks, and 3) the Simeone Foundation Museum. Once the business portion of my trip was complete, I quickly sampled the original Philly cheese steak sandwiches from 1 & 2 (Pat’s was the best!) before driving over to the museum to meet up with Dr. Frederick Simeone.

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Keels & Wheels, 2010

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Bill Bauder and his J2X, the “Bitch”, drove away with the second place Silver Cup Trophy at the 2010 Keels & Wheels Concourse d’Elegance in the Vintage Race Car class. In the past, Bill’s excellent restoration job has meant that the “Bitch” lacked the patina to convince the judges to award the car. However, after several rallies and a few vintage races, the ‘Bitch’ has collected enough rock scars in to convince the judges otherwise…or perhaps it was the new set of white walls? To learn more about this year’s Keels & Wheels Concourse, visit their web site at www.keels-wheels.com. Congrats Bill!!!

P.S.: To learn why Bill’s J2X is called the “Bitch” click here!

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That's Real Racing - Video from Torrey Pines, 1955

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Our friends from The Chicane (www.thechicaneblog.com) just posted this great color video footage from the Torrey Pines Road Races in 1955.

Torrey Pines Road Races - October 1955 from Harlo on Vimeo.

Question 1: What happened to all the great paint jobs like the blue & white C-type Jag?

Question 2: Can you name all the cars?

 

Breaking News!!! Allards to be showcased at 2011 Amelia Island!

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Please read the exciting announcement below from Bill Warner, Chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance...

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Every year at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, we feature various significant marques to showcase the heritage of the cars and the successes experienced.   Andy Picariello and I have been working in concert for the past few years to assemble a definitive display of Allard’s to put on the fairways at the concours. I am pleased to announce that for the 16th Anniversary of The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, March 11, 12, 13, 2011, Allard will be one of three featured marques, the other two being Duesenberg and Kurtis.
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We'd like to thank Andy Picariello for helping to make this a reality. Andy is working tirelesslyin supporting the Allard Marque, and for that we are grateful!

Celebrate the Guv'nors 100th on June 19!

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This June 19th, we'll celebrate Sydney Allard's 100th birthday. If you check your calendars, you'll notice that the 19th is a Saturday. So what's a better way to celebrate Sydney's big day than by taking your Allard out for a nice spirited drive in the country? We hope that you'll celebrate Sydney's birth in style...and if you do, please send us a photo...we'll post every one that's sent to us!

For more info on Sydney's life, click here.

Allard Quick Change Differential

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By David Hooper

In 1952, the Allard Motor Company offered a modified dead axle assembly for the J2X complete with removable center section to allow the Halibrand quick change differential to be easily retrofitted to the USA cars. Due to high import costs, it was not cost effective to import quick change differentials from the USA. However, due to interest from existing Allard owners plus HWM, it was decided to make an Allard version.

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Dragster Update - The Birth of "Ally Blue"

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A few weeks ago, Brian Taylor of the Allard Chrylser Action Group that's restoring the Dragster - sent us this story about what's likely the first Allard inspired song out there. 50% of the proceeds will go to help restore the Dragster.

THE BIRTH OF ALLY BLUE

Sam Eidy of Michigan engine builder Booth Arons has been a complete Ally project addict since his company first became involved in the restoration of Europe’s oldest dragster – the 1961 Allard Chrysler built by Sydney Allard. Shortly after Booth-Arons was appointed the official engine builders for the project, and between locating and chasing down parts suppliers, Sam found himself doodling out some lyrics about the car to the tune of ‘Alley Oop’. Although originally written for a comic strip of the same name by Dallas Frazier who recorded it in 1957, the  ‘Alley Oop’ version by the Hollywood Argyles in 1960 is probably the most well known because it made Number 1 in the Billboard Hot 100. But it has also been recorded by other artists such as the Beach Boys and George Thorougood and is familiar to most rock music fans of a ‘certain age’.

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Cool Web Site - www.car-brochures.eu

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(Click here or the photo above to visit the site) 

Here's an interesting web site that you need to check out, www.car-brochures.eu. It's packed with scans of car Brittish car brochures and advertisements from the past. Sadly, there are no Allard brochures (yet), but there are over 80 Allard advertisements ranging from 1946 to 1957. The adverts are very interesting to look at, especially when compared to todays ads. Special thanks to Hermann Egges for creating such an interesting web site (and thanks to Kerry Horan for the telling us about it!).