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1955 Allard J2R news, pictures, and information | ||
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This particular JR appeared in 1955 and may be the last one. It was built to provide Sydney Allard and Rupert DeLarrinaga with a competitive car to use in British hill climbs and spring races. In 1951 a LeMans J2 that had been updated to J2X specification with all enveloping body work was campaigned by De Larrinaga for the Allard Works. What emerged was a JR competition car with tubular chassis, limited slip differential, toughened transmission and drive shafts. Massive twin master cylinders operated brake drums, and a 4.5-liter Cadillac VA engine was installed. At eight feet, the wheelbase was 4-inches shorter than a J2X. This body contour resembled the earlier JR8 and covered the standing quarter mile in an impressive 14.7 seconds.
Needing a competition car for the Allard stand at the London Motor Show in the autumn of 1955, Sydney Allard had the silver green JR dusted off and given a wide vee-screen, chrome wire wheels, and a hood trim. It was driven onto the stand. After the show it was shipped to North America and continued to race. During the 1960s, a Ford Fairlane V8, which had been developed by Shelby for the A/C Cobra, was fitted and although the power output was much the same, the Ford engine was much lighter.
In 1988 the JR returned to the United Kingdom to become part of the Brian Sharp Allard collection. It needed very little attention and was in very tidy condition. Apart from the Cobra engine, the car looks much as it did for the London Motor Show. The wide vee screen and 3-port Cadillac engine are also part of this collection.
England based Sidney Herbert Allard was a magician when it came to working with, and creating, automobiles and parts. In the mid-1930s he demonstrated his prowess by creating successful trial machines from a collection of Ford and Bugatti parts. in 1949 he captured a National British Hill Climb Championship with a car powered by a war-surplus V8 Steyr tank engine.
The Allard Motor Company was founded in the post-War era in 1946 with many of the vehicles leaving the plant under American Ford flathead V8 power. Accompanying them were Sidney's own upgrades such as intake manifolds and cylinder heads. As the 1950s got into full swing, Cadillac and Chrysler began producing suitable OHV V8 engines. With these powerplants he created the J2X and JR sports racing models.
An Allard J2 sports racing car was given Cadillac power and entered in the 1950 Tour of Sicily. Later it was entered in the grueling 24 Hours of Lemans where it managed an impressive third overal finish.
The cars he built were modern day Hot Rods. Some called the beautiful other considered them brutal. They were purpose built machines that had the power to keep them in the front of the pack. The sports racing cars featured alloy bodywork, cycle fenders, and knock-off mounted wire wheels. Straight line speed was not a problem; cornering was a bit difficult due to its semi-independent setup; braking and handling were their biggest issues. None-the-less, they were fast enough to score major overall race results at Watkins Glen, Pebble Beach, Sebring, LeMans and Monte Carlo.
The LeMans circuit favored the aerodynamic cars. For this, Allard created the streamlined JR model in 1953. They were mechanically identical to the J2-X but given different bodies. There were only seven JR models ever created with two serving as factory entries at the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1953.
One of the entries was driven by Zora Arkus-Duntov, commonly known as the 'father of the Corvette.' The other car was driven by Sidney himself, who led the first lap of the race. He was forced to retire prematurely after less than hour due to a cracked brake drum. The other car raced until 1:00 AM before it withdrew due to engine problems. It did manage a speed of 145.35 miles per hour on the Mulsanne Straight.
These Allard JR racing machines were the ultimate Hot Rods, featuring large powerplants and an attractive body, proving there is no substitute for displacement. This 1953 Allard JR Cadillac 'Le Mans' Roadster is chassis number 3403 (NLN 650) and is one of seven JRs constructed. It was raced at LeMans where it was piloted by Zora Arkus-Duntov. After LeMans it was sent to America with General Curtis LeMay and later entered in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) racing. Other notable drivers include Colonel Reade Tilley and Fred Wacker.
After a prosperous racing career, the car returned back to England where it remained inactive for 20 years. It was later purchased at auction in 1977. It passed to another owner residing in California. Shortly thereafter, it was entered in various West Coast racing events. In 1981 it achieved a second plate at the 1981 Monterey Historics.
It was purchased by Syd Silverman in 1982 and treated to a total restoration. It was raced for a few more seasons and then treated to another restoration.
In 2007 the car was offered for sale at the Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by RM Auctions, where it had an estimated value of $350,000 - $450,000. Considering its pedigree and racing history, it was considered an excellent investment for the future and an opportunity to be eligible for vintage competition in numerous historic racing events. The lot was sold for $341,000 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2011
The Allard Motor Company was founded in the post-War era in 1946 with many of the vehicles leaving the plant under American Ford flathead V8 power. Accompanying them were Sidney's own upgrades such as intake manifolds and cylinder heads. As the 1950s got into full swing, Cadillac and Chrysler began producing suitable OHV V8 engines. With these powerplants he created the J2X and JR sports racing models.
An Allard J2 sports racing car was given Cadillac power and entered in the 1950 Tour of Sicily. Later it was entered in the grueling 24 Hours of Lemans where it managed an impressive third overal finish.
The cars he built were modern day Hot Rods. Some called the beautiful other considered them brutal. They were purpose built machines that had the power to keep them in the front of the pack. The sports racing cars featured alloy bodywork, cycle fenders, and knock-off mounted wire wheels. Straight line speed was not a problem; cornering was a bit difficult due to its semi-independent setup; braking and handling were their biggest issues. None-the-less, they were fast enough to score major overall race results at Watkins Glen, Pebble Beach, Sebring, LeMans and Monte Carlo.
The LeMans circuit favored the aerodynamic cars. For this, Allard created the streamlined JR model in 1953. They were mechanically identical to the J2-X but given different bodies. There were only seven JR models ever created with two serving as factory entries at the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1953.
One of the entries was driven by Zora Arkus-Duntov, commonly known as the 'father of the Corvette.' The other car was driven by Sidney himself, who led the first lap of the race. He was forced to retire prematurely after less than hour due to a cracked brake drum. The other car raced until 1:00 AM before it withdrew due to engine problems. It did manage a speed of 145.35 miles per hour on the Mulsanne Straight.
These Allard JR racing machines were the ultimate Hot Rods, featuring large powerplants and an attractive body, proving there is no substitute for displacement. This 1953 Allard JR Cadillac 'Le Mans' Roadster is chassis number 3403 (NLN 650) and is one of seven JRs constructed. It was raced at LeMans where it was piloted by Zora Arkus-Duntov. After LeMans it was sent to America with General Curtis LeMay and later entered in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) racing. Other notable drivers include Colonel Reade Tilley and Fred Wacker.
After a prosperous racing career, the car returned back to England where it remained inactive for 20 years. It was later purchased at auction in 1977. It passed to another owner residing in California. Shortly thereafter, it was entered in various West Coast racing events. In 1981 it achieved a second plate at the 1981 Monterey Historics.
It was purchased by Syd Silverman in 1982 and treated to a total restoration. It was raced for a few more seasons and then treated to another restoration.
In 2007 the car was offered for sale at the Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by RM Auctions, where it had an estimated value of $350,000 - $450,000. Considering its pedigree and racing history, it was considered an excellent investment for the future and an opportunity to be eligible for vintage competition in numerous historic racing events. The lot was sold for $341,000 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2011
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