The Jalopy Journal

**Ryan** · 12-21-2011, 09:40 AM

Sometime early in 1951, Delvan Lee went into a buddy's dealership in Detroit, MI and took delivery of a bright blue and Cad powered J2 Allard. For the next three years, Delvan drove the shit out of the little sports car - winning hill climb events, p...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

Tman · 12-21-2011, 10:09 AM

Sent a note to one of the long time vets, hopefully he has some more info. Love that glass body!

**HEMI32** · 12-21-2011, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banjeaux bob

The registrar for the Allard club is here on the HAMB.Perhaps ,he has more info.

banjeaux bob -

My thoughts exactly!

I'm sure Colin (Allard Register) will eventually chime in here ... but in the meantime, here's a color pic of Lavell's re-bodied Allard J2 @ Bonneville:

image from www.allardregister.org

Tman · 12-21-2011, 08:20 PM

Wow! If there ever was a car I wanted to clone!

**cactus1** · 12-21-2011, 08:57 PM

That is a beaut!

Slick Willy · 12-21-2011, 09:23 PM

The grille area of this looks very much like an Astin Martin,
Did Allard have dealings with them or is it just a "borrowed" look?

**HEMI32** · 12-21-2011, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slick Willy

The grille area of this looks very much like an Aston Martin,
Did Allard have dealings with them or is it just a "borrowed" look?

Slick Willy -

As stated in Ryan's Blog, Lavell's Bonneville car is not an Allard body ... but rather a fiberglass version of the 1953 Sorrell "SR-100" Roadster body (designed & built by Bob Sorrell).

Here's some pics of other Sorrell "SR-100" Roadsters:

The Denny Larson / Bob Sorrell Special (an SR-100 with a hardtop) on the salt in 1954 (photo by J.R. Eyerman)

Dick Lane's SR-100 Roadster on a Kurtis 500KK chassis with Jimmy 6 power (from CAR CRAFT Oct 1955)

Dr. Mark (mrbhotrod) Brinker's "Bob Sorrell / Chuck Manning Special" at the Petersen Automotive Museum

**HEMI32** · 12-22-2011, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalshapes

...I've been looking for pics of Allard chassis.

Just to see what one looks like without its body.

Alex (metalshapes) -

Funny you should ask ... cuz' banjeaux bob posted quite a few pics of an Allard J2 chassis (sans body) in his 1952 Allard J2 thread ... this J2 even has one them funny looking 392ci engines in it!

Also checkout the Is an Allard J2X a Hot Rod?? Limeworks thinks so build thread ... cruzr and Limey Steve posted pics of the chassis throughout the entire restoration process.

**metalshapes** · 12-22-2011, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HEMI32

Alex (metalshapes) -

Funny you should ask ... cuz' banjeaux bob posted quite a few pics of an Allard J2 chassis (sans body) in his 1952 Allard J2 thread ... this J2 even has one them funny looking 392ci engines in it!

Also checkout the Is an Allard J2X a Hot Rod?? Limeworks thinks so build thread ... cruzr and Limey Steve posted pics of the chassis throughout the entire restoration process.

Thanks for the links.

I've got some reading to do tomorrow...

Hemi325 · 12-22-2011, 08:37 AM

1958 Echidna #66, the "Larson" car. Devin-Chevrolet special.

Slick Willy · 12-22-2011, 11:08 AM

Thanks for the clarification, HEMI32, and the confusion!

flamingokid · 12-22-2011, 01:30 PM

I'd say the Aston Martin borrowed from Sorrell,not the other way around

**metalshapes** · 12-22-2011, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamingokid

I'd say the Aston Martin borrowed from Sorrell,not the other way around

I really doubt that.

And which Aston Martin sports racer looks similar enough to think anybody was borrowing?

I guess I'm just not seeing it...

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falcongeorge · 12-22-2011, 02:10 PM

Never seen the Dick Lane car with the Jimmy. GREAT thread.

**HEMI32** · 12-22-2011, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banjeaux bob

...I am really hoping for more info on both.This particular Allard AND Sorrell bodies...

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBlockBuck

...That is a beautiful body. Do you have any links as to the history of Sorrell? I love the fiberglass sports car bodies of the fifties. I’ve researched a lot of different makes, but this is the first I’ve heard of a Sorrell. Where there any others with significant racing heritage?

Quote:

Originally Posted by falcongeorge

Never seen the Dick Lane car with the Jimmy...

banjeaux bob, BigBlockBuck, & falcongeorge -

I do have some '50s magazines with more info and pics of Sorrell bodies ... but have yet to scan any of those articles.

Perhaps HAMBer Geoffrey Hacker (G. Hacker) will chime in here ... Geoff's "Forgotten Fiberglass" website is chock full of Sorrell info & pics ... including these Blog entries:

* Fiberglass Explodes On The Scene – Petersen Motorama November 1953

* “Fiberglass Funnies” – Featuring A “Sorrell” Sports Car – Car Craft, February 1954

* GMC Under Glass: The Dick Lane Sorrell SR100 With A Kurtis 500KK Chassis Too! (1955)

* Fiberglass State of the Industry 1956: Trend Book 130

* Front and Rear Styling For The Fiberglass Body (Car Craft, March 1956)

* Fiberglass Buyers Guide (Car Craft, March 1956): Part 2 – The Sorrell SR-190 Coupe

* Fiberglass Buyers Guide (Car Craft, March 1956): Part 6 – The Sorrell SR-100 Sports Car

G. Hacker · 12-22-2011, 09:52 PM

Hi Hemi32...

Thanks for the invite. You did a great job of posting links to several of the Sorrell related stories. I've not done one on this Sorrell-bodied car yet, but I believe the car is in Florida (I didn't read the detail at the beginning of the thread, in case this was mentioned).

These open roadster bodies were stunning, and what's fascinating to me is that the molds for the large one (100" wheelbase) and small one (94" wheelbase) still exist. That brings up all sorts of possibilities, doesn't it?

Great car, and much credit should go to Mark Brinker for restoring his Sorrell SR-100 and to Mike Larkin for building his SR-190 from scratch. Both beautiful sports cars.

Hope this adds a bit of new info to all, and happy holidays gang :-)

Geoff Hacker
Forgotten Fiberglass

BigBlockBuck · 12-26-2011, 09:45 AM

Thanks HEMI32, great links! I thought I was going to get some work done this morning, but it looks like I've got some reading to do. Thanks again.

**HEMI32** · 12-22-2011, 04:15 PM

Damn that metalshapes guy for posting pics of mid '50s Aston Martin roadsters in this thread! ... Where's a moderator when you need one to keep a thread "on-topic"?

**metalshapes** · 12-22-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HEMI32

Damn that metalshapes guy for posting pics of mid '50s Aston Martin roadsters in this thread! ... Where's a moderator when you need one to keep a thread "on-topic"?

Hahaha...

Tman · 12-22-2011, 04:34 PM

I love how these threads sprout and grow!

12-21-2011, 09:40 AM	#1
Ryan Administrator Join Date: Jan 1995 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 13,606	Fred Lavell's J2 Allard Sometime early in 1951, Delvan Lee went into a buddy's dealership in Detroit, MI and took delivery of a bright blue and Cad powered J2 Allard. For the next three years, Delvan drove the shit out of the little sports car - winning hill climb events, p... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

12-21-2011, 10:09 AM	#2
Tman Old School HAMBer Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota Posts: 28,172	Re: Fred Lavell's J2 Allard Sent a note to one of the long time vets, hopefully he has some more info. Love that glass body! __________________ Open for business, website in developement www.compulsionrodandcustom.com

12-21-2011, 08:20 PM	#4
Tman Old School HAMBer Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota Posts: 28,172	Re: Fred Lavell's J2 Allard Wow! If there ever was a car I wanted to clone! __________________ Open for business, website in developement www.compulsionrodandcustom.com

12-21-2011, 08:57 PM	#5
cactus1 Alliance Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Beautiful Kansas City! (And beyond!!) Posts: 5,793	Re: Fred Lavell's J2 Allard That is a beaut! __________________ M to the i to the k to the e Check out my '34 Chevy truck build thread here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=371802

12-22-2011, 08:37 AM	#10
Hemi325 Grenade Inspector Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 203	Re: Fred Lavell's J2 Allard 1958 Echidna #66, the "Larson" car. Devin-Chevrolet special. Attached Thumbnails

12-21-2011, 09:23 PM	#6
Slick Willy Old School HAMBer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Marshfield, MA Posts: 3,026	Re: Fred Lavell's J2 Allard The grille area of this looks very much like an Astin Martin, Did Allard have dealings with them or is it just a "borrowed" look? __________________ ~Wm.'s Co. Moustache Wax~ now available! P.M. me for details!!

12-22-2011, 11:08 AM	#11
Slick Willy Old School HAMBer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Marshfield, MA Posts: 3,026	Re: Fred Lavell's J2 Allard Thanks for the clarification, HEMI32, and the confusion! __________________ ~Wm.'s Co. Moustache Wax~ now available! P.M. me for details!!

12-22-2011, 01:30 PM	#12
flamingokid Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Olathe,Kansas Posts: 1,049	Re: Fred Lavell's J2 Allard I'd say the Aston Martin borrowed from Sorrell,not the other way around

12-22-2011, 02:10 PM	#14
falcongeorge Old School HAMBer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Surrey BC Posts: 6,601	Re: Fred Lavell's J2 Allard Never seen the Dick Lane car with the Jimmy. GREAT thread. __________________ Warning: This post may contain satire. "Sat ci sat bene"

12-22-2011, 09:52 PM	#16
G. Hacker Grenade Inspector Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 131	Re: Fred Lavell's J2 Allard Hi Hemi32... Thanks for the invite. You did a great job of posting links to several of the Sorrell related stories. I've not done one on this Sorrell-bodied car yet, but I believe the car is in Florida (I didn't read the detail at the beginning of the thread, in case this was mentioned). These open roadster bodies were stunning, and what's fascinating to me is that the molds for the large one (100" wheelbase) and small one (94" wheelbase) still exist. That brings up all sorts of possibilities, doesn't it? Great car, and much credit should go to Mark Brinker for restoring his Sorrell SR-100 and to Mike Larkin for building his SR-190 from scratch. Both beautiful sports cars. Hope this adds a bit of new info to all, and happy holidays gang :-) Geoff Hacker Forgotten Fiberglass Last edited by G. Hacker; 12-23-2011 at 07:15 AM.

12-26-2011, 09:45 AM	#17
BigBlockBuck Newbie Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 64	Re: Fred Lavell's J2 Allard Thanks HEMI32, great links! I thought I was going to get some work done this morning, but it looks like I've got some reading to do. Thanks again.

12-22-2011, 04:15 PM	#18
HEMI32 Alliance Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 3,787	Re: Fred Lavell's J2 Allard Damn that *metalshapes* guy for posting pics of mid '50s Aston Martin roadsters in this thread! ... Where's a moderator when you need one to keep a thread "on-topic"? __________________

12-22-2011, 04:34 PM	#20
Tman Old School HAMBer Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beautifull Black Hills of South Dakota Posts: 28,172	Re: Fred Lavell's J2 Allard I love how these threads sprout and grow! __________________ Open for business, website in developement www.compulsionrodandcustom.com

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