The Jalopy Journal

**Ryan** · 07-09-2009, 07:49 AM

Sydney Allard, a British fella, designed one hell of a sports car in the early 1950's and called it the Allard J2. The design was so successful that it's racing victories made stories around the world. It wasn't long before American hot rodders were ...

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

Asphalt Outlaw Hero · 07-09-2009, 10:23 AM

Allards were just kick ass cars.Once upon a time my father was in correspondence with Sydney Allard in regards to importing the coupes (They weren't too sexy and you don't see many of them). I have a client with several roadsters. It is not always as easy as it seems to shoe horn a OHV (or flatty) in. Initially they are set up for RH steering.Sometimes this produces interference with things like starters and so forth. Kurtiss is along the same vein.
Cool Video.I'll bet it was awesome to hear those Caddys opening up!
Shoot the instrumentals were pretty good too!

Rolleiflex · 07-09-2009, 10:27 AM

Thanks for sharing that great footage. I love the in car footage, the view over that hood, or should I say bonnet, is great.

miller91 · 07-09-2009, 10:41 AM

Real street racers that did well in American road racing and abroad in the 50's.

VonMoldy · 07-09-2009, 11:21 AM

I like these things. Makes today's kit cars look like puke.

Zerk · 07-09-2009, 11:42 AM

That period video enhances the negative spaces in the audio, like the bellow of the early Caddy V8 as it comes out of the pits and joins the raucous snarls and whines of the cars on the track. Tell me you didn't hear it.

miller91 · 07-09-2009, 11:43 AM

There's a book written on Carsten's experiences. Ya gotta love those wide whites!

miller91 · 07-09-2009, 11:44 AM

My favorite Allards are the Lemans entries

theHIGHLANDER · 07-09-2009, 11:45 AM

Ahh yes, the 'Blacksmith's Revenge'. Thanks Ryan. That was waay kool. Seems like each era automobiles has a car like this. The next era gave us the Cobra. Don't care for much that followed but there's always that 'one' that could send a shiver down your spine.

panheadguy · 07-09-2009, 12:29 PM

Sidney Allard brought Drag Racing to Europe with his slingshot drag car. His earliest exploits were with "trials" racing sort of early off road racing. That led him to split the Ford axle and add pivots to make a crude independent from suspension. Some street rod vendor is making a similar kit right now but I can't imagine it would work all that well with such a short swing radius.
The vintage races at Elkhart Lake WI are the weekend of 7/25. There are usually several Allards running; J2's Palm Beach and a "KK I think.
Fun Stuff

50Fraud · 07-09-2009, 02:44 PM

The black/red/white color scheme of Carstens' Allard was really distinctive. I think the only other competitive road racer to run whitewalls was Balchowsky.

I thought Carstens' next car, the "Stovebolt Special" HWM-Chevy, was even better looking than the Allard, but apparently it was an evil-handling pig that was never competitive.

Didja notice in the video that Ken Miles' "Flying Shingle" and Balchowsky's Deuce roadster both appear near the end?

miller91 · 07-09-2009, 02:58 PM

Miscellaneous American iron in Allards

**73roundlight** · 07-09-2009, 03:51 PM

Allard's are one of THE most amazing cars out there. It is a miracle that they were ever produced. The Lemans cars are really beautiful, but the J2s are some tremendous cars, especially when you see them raced. I wish I had pictures of the one I saw with Ardun heads! Anyway here are some more pics to enjoy.

Historics 08

Radnor Hunt 08

Pebble Beach 08

Sorry, forgot to say, very cool video! Any idea where they were shot?

miller91 · 07-09-2009, 05:03 PM

Flatty powered '48 "L" roadster

rob-redm · 07-09-2009, 07:37 PM

I worked for Tom , at his VW and Porsche/Audi dealership from around 1983 to 1988. I remember the day he had found one of his old Allards and was brought into the Porsche dealership, then it it disappeared from there. I remember going over to his to move some furniture while replacing the carpet in his place. And pow there was the Allard, it was so funny he started the car right at his place on the Golf course in the morning ! Something I will always remember. Tom was neat guy, had a 356 he would drive from time to time. But he also had Mercedes-Bend and other rigs. I one time had to go into the two car garage/shed to put away some obsolete parts, and sitting on the floor was one of the engines from his Allard days hadn't moved in 20 years along with some old VW painted door, odd ball roof racks, and Karmann Ghia deck . They raised the garage/shed when some remodeling was done. Wow what happened to that stuff,? my two cents ! He was good friends with Vic Edelbrock Sr. and also Jr.Which I had the chance to meet once while JR was at the Porsche Dealership , many moons ago. Tom raced alot, also midgets pretty well know on the west coast for that along with other modes of auto racing, rest in peace Tom

flamingokid · 07-09-2009, 11:55 PM

Back in '93,somebody here in KC discovered a J2 in the garage of a late Negro Leagues baseball player.I heard that Carriage and Motor Works did a complete restoration on it.

BobbedT · 07-10-2009, 01:49 AM

50Fraud,

I saw Balchowsky's Deuce Roadster & I recognised the Ken Miles car but couldn't think of the name of it. Very, very cool video footage - thanks

shmoozo · 07-10-2009, 02:19 AM

I am surprised that nobody has mentioned that the Allards are being made again.

Well ... sort of.

Here is a link:

Allard Motor Works J2X MKII

From their web site:

Quote:

Overview

“The Allard Motor Works J2X MKII is a modern hand-crafted version of the famed British competition roadster that stirred crowds in Europe and North America in the early 1950s. Our modern version integrates the latest technology into the same design, to provide a safer, more comfortable and reliable vehicle than its predecessor, without compromising performance.

Allard Motor Works is reintroducing this limited production classic with the full support of the original manufacturer’s family and recognition by the Allard Registry, which has awarded our J2X MKII special serial numbers and a place in the Registry.

Allard Motor Works is committed to keeping this legend alive by releasing no more than 100 new J2Xs per year for the enjoyment of sports car aficionados from around the world.”

Roger P. Allard

Fe26 · 07-10-2009, 05:53 AM

An Allard Coupe needing complete restoration and with a 1938 Ford Flathead V8 was recently sold in New Zealand for NZD $3,800 (about USD $2,370). Ouch!

BillBallingerSr · 07-10-2009, 06:36 AM

I had the honor of meeting en elderly lady towing a car trailer at a motel about 10 years ago if I remeber right. We were in the elevator together, so I offered to carry her bags for her. I took them to her truck and we got to talking and she was taking her's and her husband's Allard around the country to all of the vintage races as a victory lap in his honor. He had passed away that year. She had a driver and team lined up at every venue to run the car. They had road raced the car together for ever and did just a few things to it to take it on the vintage circuit, it was perfectly maintained. I wish I had gotten her name. She had some stories, and I wish I could have sat down with her, they lived the life.

These cars were amazing, consider that they had a swing axle front end like Twin I-beam Ford, they didn't just get driven, they got thrown around the track. You had to be able to drive thats all there was to it.

07-09-2009, 07:49 AM	#1
Ryan Administrator Join Date: Jan 1995 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 13,623	Tom Carsten's Allard Sydney Allard, a British fella, designed one hell of a sports car in the early 1950's and called it the Allard J2. The design was so successful that it's racing victories made stories around the world. It wasn't long before American hot rodders were ... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

07-09-2009, 10:23 AM	#2
Asphalt Outlaw Hero Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dixie Posts: 942	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard Allards were just kick ass cars.Once upon a time my father was in correspondence with Sydney Allard in regards to importing the coupes (They weren't too sexy and you don't see many of them). I have a client with several roadsters. It is not always as easy as it seems to shoe horn a OHV (or flatty) in. Initially they are set up for RH steering.Sometimes this produces interference with things like starters and so forth. Kurtiss is along the same vein. Cool Video.I'll bet it was awesome to hear those Caddys opening up! Shoot the instrumentals were pretty good too!

07-09-2009, 10:27 AM	#3
Rolleiflex Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 545	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard Thanks for sharing that great footage. I love the in car footage, the view over that hood, or should I say bonnet, is great. __________________ Email or PM me for prints www.cullipherphoto.com Last edited by Rolleiflex; 07-09-2009 at 08:20 PM.

07-09-2009, 10:41 AM	#4
miller91 Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: not at hamb anymore Posts: 522	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard Real street racers that did well in American road racing and abroad in the 50's. Last edited by miller91; 12-31-2011 at 07:33 PM.

07-09-2009, 11:21 AM	#5
VonMoldy Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: UTARRGH! Posts: 1,437	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard I like these things. Makes today's kit cars look like puke. __________________

07-09-2009, 11:42 AM	#6
Zerk Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: L.B.N.J.U.S.A. Posts: 1,124	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard That period video enhances the negative spaces in the audio, like the bellow of the early Caddy V8 as it comes out of the pits and joins the raucous snarls and whines of the cars on the track. Tell me you didn't hear it. __________________ "So, what do you little maniacs want to do first?"

07-09-2009, 11:43 AM	#7
miller91 Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: not at hamb anymore Posts: 522	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard There's a book written on Carsten's experiences. Ya gotta love those wide whites! Last edited by miller91; 12-31-2011 at 07:32 PM.

07-09-2009, 11:44 AM	#8
miller91 Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: not at hamb anymore Posts: 522	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard My favorite Allards are the Lemans entries Last edited by miller91; 12-31-2011 at 07:32 PM.

07-09-2009, 11:45 AM	#9
theHIGHLANDER Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: S.E.Michigan Posts: 4,328	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard Ahh yes, the 'Blacksmith's Revenge'. Thanks Ryan. That was waay kool. Seems like each era automobiles has a car like this. The next era gave us the Cobra. Don't care for much that followed but there's always that 'one' that could send a shiver down your spine. __________________ The rumors of my death have been exaggerated. www.singlefingerspeedshop.com

07-09-2009, 12:29 PM	#10
panheadguy Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: S.E. WI Posts: 627	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard Sidney Allard brought Drag Racing to Europe with his slingshot drag car. His earliest exploits were with "trials" racing sort of early off road racing. That led him to split the Ford axle and add pivots to make a crude independent from suspension. Some street rod vendor is making a similar kit right now but I can't imagine it would work all that well with such a short swing radius. The vintage races at Elkhart Lake WI are the weekend of 7/25. There are usually several Allards running; J2's Palm Beach and a "KK I think. Fun Stuff __________________ The police never think it's as funny as you do. Buy American PanheadGuy

07-09-2009, 02:44 PM	#11
50Fraud Old School HAMBer Join Date: May 2001 Location: San Pedro, CA Posts: 5,688	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard The black/red/white color scheme of Carstens' Allard was really distinctive. I think the only other competitive road racer to run whitewalls was Balchowsky. I thought Carstens' next car, the "Stovebolt Special" HWM-Chevy, was even better looking than the Allard, but apparently it was an evil-handling pig that was never competitive. Didja notice in the video that Ken Miles' "Flying Shingle" and Balchowsky's Deuce roadster both appear near the end?

07-09-2009, 02:58 PM	#12
miller91 Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: not at hamb anymore Posts: 522	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard Miscellaneous American iron in Allards Last edited by miller91; 12-31-2011 at 07:32 PM.

07-09-2009, 03:51 PM	#13
73roundlight Alliance Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Far, Far, Away Hills, Jersey Posts: 1,121	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard Allard's are one of THE most amazing cars out there. It is a miracle that they were ever produced. The Lemans cars are really beautiful, but the J2s are some tremendous cars, especially when you see them raced. I wish I had pictures of the one I saw with Ardun heads! Anyway here are some more pics to enjoy. Historics 08 Radnor Hunt 08 Pebble Beach 08 Sorry, forgot to say, very cool video! Any idea where they were shot? __________________ —MRAK Keep Moving Forward — W.Disney Last edited by 73roundlight; 07-09-2009 at 07:28 PM.

07-09-2009, 05:03 PM	#14
miller91 Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: not at hamb anymore Posts: 522	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard Flatty powered '48 "L" roadster Last edited by miller91; 12-31-2011 at 07:32 PM.

07-09-2009, 07:37 PM	#15
rob-redm Old School HAMBer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South Sound,Wa Posts: 3,429	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard I worked for Tom , at his VW and Porsche/Audi dealership from around 1983 to 1988. I remember the day he had found one of his old Allards and was brought into the Porsche dealership, then it it disappeared from there. I remember going over to his to move some furniture while replacing the carpet in his place. And pow there was the Allard, it was so funny he started the car right at his place on the Golf course in the morning ! Something I will always remember. Tom was neat guy, had a 356 he would drive from time to time. But he also had Mercedes-Bend and other rigs. I one time had to go into the two car garage/shed to put away some obsolete parts, and sitting on the floor was one of the engines from his Allard days hadn't moved in 20 years along with some old VW painted door, odd ball roof racks, and Karmann Ghia deck . They raised the garage/shed when some remodeling was done. Wow what happened to that stuff,? my two cents ! He was good friends with Vic Edelbrock Sr. and also Jr.Which I had the chance to meet once while JR was at the Porsche Dealership , many moons ago. Tom raced alot, also midgets pretty well know on the west coast for that along with other modes of auto racing, rest in peace Tom __________________ Push The Pickle !!!!!!

07-09-2009, 11:55 PM	#16
flamingokid Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Olathe,Kansas Posts: 1,052	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard Back in '93,somebody here in KC discovered a J2 in the garage of a late Negro Leagues baseball player.I heard that Carriage and Motor Works did a complete restoration on it.

07-10-2009, 01:49 AM	#17
BobbedT Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of Katoomba, Australia Posts: 574	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard 50Fraud, I saw Balchowsky's Deuce Roadster & I recognised the Ken Miles car but couldn't think of the name of it. Very, very cool video footage - thanks

07-10-2009, 05:53 AM	#19
Fe26 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 543	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard An Allard Coupe needing complete restoration and with a 1938 Ford Flathead V8 was recently sold in New Zealand for NZD $3,800 (about USD $2,370). Ouch! __________________ Nothing is more terrible than ignorance in action.

07-10-2009, 06:36 AM	#20
BillBallingerSr Alliance Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In Hell Posts: 651	Re: Tom Carsten's Allard I had the honor of meeting en elderly lady towing a car trailer at a motel about 10 years ago if I remeber right. We were in the elevator together, so I offered to carry her bags for her. I took them to her truck and we got to talking and she was taking her's and her husband's Allard around the country to all of the vintage races as a victory lap in his honor. He had passed away that year. She had a driver and team lined up at every venue to run the car. They had road raced the car together for ever and did just a few things to it to take it on the vintage circuit, it was perfectly maintained. I wish I had gotten her name. She had some stories, and I wish I could have sat down with her, they lived the life. These cars were amazing, consider that they had a swing axle front end like Twin I-beam Ford, they didn't just get driven, they got thrown around the track. You had to be able to drive thats all there was to it. Last edited by BillBallingerSr; 07-10-2009 at 06:51 AM.

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