New Since 1999 ALLARD MOTOR WORKS Vol. 15 - Fall, 2014 … · 2016. 7. 29. · ALLARD MOTOR WORKS Vol. 15 - Fall, 2014 • [email protected] Page 2 Concours of America: The Exner

NEWSLETTERTopping Things Up - A New Option

A L L A R D M O T O R W O R K S Vol. 15 - Fall, 2014

Page 1www.allardj2x.com • [email protected]

Allard Motor Works (AMW) is currently exploring the possibil-ity of introducing an ‘all-weather’ roof option to provide owners of the Allard J2X MkII with an extended driving season. AMW believes that the Allard J2X MkII Coupé will find favour among many enthusiasts who want added comfort and convenience in their MkII. The decision to proceed with a design for a hard-top option was not difficult claims Roger Allard. “The original configuration of the car, with the two Brooklands wind screens imparts a very special look to the car and is faithful to the orig-inal look. However, it does have some limitations with respect to seasonal considerations. I have felt for some time now that a full windshield, along with a removable hardtop, would provide owners with an extended driving season and more security when overnighting at hotels along the road.” The hardtop design was initiated some time ago, but more recently, a new collaborator has joined the team - Virgil Exner Jr..

Now retired but still consulting, Virgil has a long and respected history in the auto design world. Having worked alongside his father for many years, he brings forward many design and func-tional imperatives to his concepts. No, the new J2X MkII Coupé will NOT have wings like his father’s iconic 1953 to 1963 Chrysler vehicles but, it will be faithful to the era and styling of the 1951-54 Allard J2X.

“For some time now, AMW has kicked around the idea of adopt-ing some form of weather protection. We have considered both soft tops and hardtops. However, designing a functional and ef-fective soft top is an art and few have accomplished this success-fully. They are prone to leakage, are noisy and they generally are difficult to erect and disassemble. Therefore, we decided to leap-frog that concept and design a top that provided the best of both worlds - a hardtop that would be designed as a ‘targa’ top. This

Since 1999

would feature a full windshield with a t-top back-bone, allowing for the removal of two panels that rest above the occupants. The panels could then be stored in the trunk. This way, the passengers could enjoy the blue sky when on an extended journey and even turn on the heater or airconditioner if re-quired. But if you are assured of ‘perfect weather’ or keep your car in a garage, then you would have the option to remove the entire hardtop and ‘run topless’.”

Creating of a functional hardtop for the MkII Cou-pé is no small challenge. Cockpit dimensions are restricted and the impact bars inside the doors pre-clude the use of roll-up side windows. The standard twin external roll bars and the centre-mounted fuel neck will require some creative thinking to provide a secure fit and a rear window. As Virgil Exner Jr. says, “There are always compromises to make when working with an existing design. The design of the-top cannot trump the original look of the roadster. Individuals who like classic cars are ready to make some accommodation as long as dealing with a top does not become a pain. What is required is a ‘signature look’ that combines functionality, conve-nience and reliability. That is what we are working on.”

AMW will continue to offer the J2X MkII that is cur-rently enjoyed with the Brooklands wind screens, but by spring, 2015 the company looks forward to releasing its ‘all-weather’ coupé option. AMW in-vites your comments and suggestions, along with the many who have done so already.



Concours of America: The Exner FileSince 1999

The Exner name is internationally recognized in the automotive world. Virgil Exner was a Detroit-based auto-mobile designer and stylist who left an indelible mark on the North American autoworld. His signature styling was created in the employ of US companies, notably Chrysler and Studebaker. He will always be remembered for his ‘Forward Look’ design on the 1955 - 1963 Chrysler vehicles and for his love of fins on his cars.Virgil Exner Jr. worked closely on automobile designs with his father and later became internationally recog-nized as he continued the tradition.

Plymouth Fury DeSoto Dodge Custom Royal

The 2014 Concours of America was the stage for a special event featuring the cars of Virgil Exner, an iconic au-tomobile designer from Detroit who introduced the ‘Forward Look’ in the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. The Con-cours, in Plymouth MI, created a special class for the event featuring ‘The Exner Cars’- from Chrysler Imperials, to Plymouth Furys to DeSotos and the Dodge Custom Royals. Wings and chrome were very much on display to the delight of nostalgic aficionados. Virgil Exner Jr., a collaborator in his father’s design movement, was a busy person that weekend as he co-chaired an interesting 3-hour seminar on car design. A representative selection of ‘Forward Look’ cars was on display at the seminar along with smaller scale models used by the designers to validate their concepts. The following day, Virgil Jr.’s role changed to that of Chief Judge for the Exner Class at this well attended event.Virgil Jr. also devoted a significant amount of time to Roger Allard and Marcel LeHouiller, the owner of the new AMW Cad-Allard #001. He felt it was important to ‘get the feel’ of the car and assess its dimentional and struc-tural characteristics so that he could continue his design of a removable hardtop for the J2X MkII. “This roadster is stunning!”, he exclaimed when he saw the car ‘in the flesh’ for the first time. “It will be important to ensure that a new hardtop does not take anything away from the powerful look of the car. To be successful, the devil will be in the details,” he added. So the work continues, with a proposed delivery date for the first hardtop for the Spring 2015.



It’s a Cad-Allard... not so fast!

Since 1999

California Mille - this Oldsmobile-powered J2X is driven by Stanley Bauer and Craif Gilbert.

A rare sight - two of the 5 Oldsmobile-powered Allard J2Xs in existence at the same event.

A regular participant at the Laguna Seca track in California, the late-Bob ‘Cotton-wood’ Lytle drives his Buick-powered J2X.

How many times do we hear that Allard racers are all Cadillac powered. NO! Allard J-type racers do not HAVE to be powered by a Cadillac engine. Back then, whatever engine was thought to be ‘the fastest that week’ was stuffed into the car and then joined the starting grid for the race. While the 331 cu. in. Cadillac did garner a number of impressive wins, the 331 Hemi was also very much a part of the winning combina-tion on or off the track (Carroll Shelby, Maston Gregory and John Fitch). Even Steve McQueen’s J2X had a

331 Hemi. Most of the Allard J-type competition cars sported American V8s, including Buick and Olds.



Pebble Beach: 1950-56 Road Races

Since 1999

A documentary film produced by renowned racecar driver Rick Knoop and filmmaker Dean Kirkland entitled, “Racing Through the Forest – The History of the 1950-56 Pebble Beach Road Races”. This documentary was filmed over approxi-mately three years and includes 50 interviews with legendary names in road racing such as Fred Knoop, Mick Marston, Bill Pollack, Jim Hall and Phil Remington. It chronicles the events dating from the first through to the last Pebble Beach Road Races, that included legends like Carroll Shelby, Phil Hill and Bill Pollock in 1956. “What began as a tribute to my father, Fred Knoop, has evolved into a celebration of one of the world’s greatest road races,” said Knoop. “We’re thrilled to share this incredible story with audiences at the Pebble Beach Concours. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to ex-plore this incredible history, especially just feet from the road where the men and machines did battle. I’m honored that some of those fea-tured in the film have committed to attend.” “We’re pleased to host the premiere screening of ‘Racing Through the Forest’ which focuses on the Pebble Beach Road Races and the en-thusiasts who started and participated in these sporting yet fierce competitions,” said Sandra Button, Chairman of the Pebble Beach Con-cours d’Elegance. “We all owe a great debt to these enthusiasts. I’m certain that much of the collector car world today would not exist with-out them. And there would be many fewer ways to see and celebrate great cars and the people affiliated with them.” Inspired by the memoirs of the Del Monte For-est Road Race history, the Pebble Beach Con-cours and Pebble Beach Company teamed up with K&K Productions to preview the documentary for a select audience. Blending interviews with racers and incredible footage of the events, the film recalls the glories of this often forgotten race thus creating a facinating video archive of its history.

Editor’s Note: “Racing Through The Forest” premiered at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours. This historic documentary was recently shown at the Los Angeles’ Peterson Automotive Museum. Distribution details are yet to be announced. However, we will try to keep you informed on the release dates and where copies can be purchased.

RACING HEROES TELL THEIR STORIES



Meet Some of the Racing HerosBILL POLLACKOne of the most successful West Coast racers of that era, Bill Pollack drove his Cadillac-powered Allard J2 to con-secutive wins at Pebble Beach in 1951 and 1952. Bill was the stuff of legend as he duked it out with racing icons like Phil Hill, Tom Carstens and Carroll Shelby. His black #14B Cad-Allard (with a luggage rack on the rear deck) was a crowd favourite as it consistently see-sawed back and forth for the lead with Ferraris, Aston Martins and Jaguars.

A great story-teller, Bill is the author of Red Wheels and White Sidewalls: Confessions of an Allard Racer - a must-read that savours the flavour of the era and gives insight into the brave men who raced at break-neck speeds amongst the trees and bales of hay for the top of the po-dium.

Bill Pollack in a 2012 Allard J2X MkII at Watkins Glen.

AL MOSSToday, most classic car buffs know Moss Motors but few of us know its founder - the late Al Moss. Al was a very ac-tive member of the West Coast racing scene, not only as a track marshal, but also as a cinematographer. A significant amount of footage in Racing Through The Forest is drawn from Al Moss’ vast collection of film loaned to the film’s producers by his life-long partner, Lynda.

Few know that Al Moss was also the Allard Motor Com-pany’s West Coast dealer in the 1950s. This made my visit with him in 2008 that much more interesting for both of us. When he heard, and then saw the 2008 Hemi-powered Allard J2X MkII roll up to his home, he was quick to hitch a ride to the weekly lunch reunion of the Red Rock Racers in Sedona. Upon arrival at the restaurant, he took great plea-sure in ushering club members outside to see the roadster (much to the chagrin of the staff left behind in the empty restaurant).



Since 1999

Social Media: Getting Traction

Actor Normand Damour

and comedian, Michel Barrette

Social media is rapidly becoming the new communications highway and Allard Motor Works has taken the ramp onto this cyberhighway. By doing so, AMW has caught the attention of thousands that would otherwise not have known the Allard J2X MkII exists. These media tools are not intended to work in isolation, but rather they work together to build the required synergy that creates a ‘buzz’ and a global presence that would otherwise not be pos-sible. By sychronizing AMW’s website, Facebook, Twitter, blogs and other tools, we have developed a diverse and interesting following throughout North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the South Pacific. Our website continues to be the anchor. However, these other venues allow us to foster exchanges, unite buyers and sellers, gauge reactions to proposed options for the MkII and plan events where the new Allard can be seen. Let the ad-dresses below be your invitation to explore the inner world of Allard Motor Works in forums that provide variety, new ideas, comments and opinions. Web site:

CARSYEAH.COM - This is a novel audio format that provides listeners with a broad range of interviews with noted car people. AMW’s Roger Allard is fea-tured in a two-part series sharing his views and out-look on the car world.

https://TWITTER.com/allard_j2x

https://www.allardmotorworks.comhttps://www.facebook.com/allardj2x

www.allardj2x.com

BLOGFACEBOOK

TWITTER



Since 1999

Rarely Seen. Never ForgottenThe summer 2014 has been quite busy with our Allard J2X MkIIs present at numerous events and venues around the world. Some are still to come and will be announced in the weeks ahead (Austin TX F1 week, the Classic and Vintage Car Show in Shanghai, etc.). Here is a brief overview of some of them.

2014 Dream Cruise: US Special Olympic Athlete, Brian Aydellot, prepares for a 15-mile cruise through Connecticut in a J2X MkII. This huge annual 3-day fund-raising event, combining some 3,000 motorcycles and exotic cars, is a major source of funds for Spe-cial Olympic athletes. This is the second consecutive year that AMW has participated.

Jim Donick in his origi-nal Allard J2 at the An-nual Keene Hill Climb near Lake Placid NY.

Pittsburgh Vintage GP: good company in the paddocks and at the drivers’ opening supper. Then the skies opened!

Polo Park Farms: 426 horses and lots of polo ponies for company.

2014 Canadian F1 GP: BRG with 5.7L Hemi - 370 hp and Rosso Corsa 392 Hemi - 426 hp.

Concours of America :sampling AMW’s Cad-Allard J2X MkII

Haggerty Classic Car Magazine: distributed in print and on the Web to hundreds of thousands of subscribers.



Since 1999

Photographed in a studio and using special lighting techniques, these shots of one of AMW’s British Rac-ing Green J2X MkIIs reflect the creative talent of

Albert Limoges



Since 1999



BLACK BEAUTYAllard J2X #9031 is rather special in the Allard Motor Works’ livery. It is the company’s first black J2X MkII and it is the first time AMW has up-holstered the cockpit with distressed leather. The tobacco-coloured Muir-head leather from Scotland combined with contrasting embroidery and pip-ing provides the roadster with a rich period look. The MkII’s new home is in Nashville TN. Early reports tell us that the new owner is singing its praises loud and clear.

The distressed leather interior in a rich tobacco brown im-parts a warm and rich feel to the J2X MkII. Combined with hand-carved mahogany shifter knob and parking brake handle, this roadster is ready to strut its stuff. Powered by a 350 hp 5.7L GM RamJet fuel-injected V8, its performance will match its looks– it ROCKS!

A L L A R D M O T O R W O R K S Vol. 15- Fall, 2014


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DRIVING IN STYLE

Since 1999

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Published Quarterly by:ALLARD MOTOR WORKS INC.

Prior editions can be found in the News section of AMW’s Web site.

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New Since 1999 ALLARD MOTOR WORKS Vol. 15 - Fall, 2014 … · 2016. 7. 29. · ALLARD MOTOR WORKS Vol. 15 - Fall, 2014 • [email protected] Page 2 Concours of America: The Exner