THE ALL-ROUND ALLARD
THE ALL-ROUND ALLARD
Some time ago the Allard-Special was referred to by one of the weekly motoring papers as “not everyman’s car,” because of “specially light construction and general weight distributed somewhat freakishly over the back axle.” That is a statement which is unfair to the production range of Allard-Specials, which, incidentally includes a four-seater tourer, one of which we often see, chaff cur driven, in South London. The original Allard-Special had a Bugatti tail in which was accommodated a 40 gallon fuel tank which, in conjunction with the rearward mounting of the Ford V8 engine, which is still retained, enabled the necessary wheel grip for trials purposes to be obtained merely by filling the petrol rank. However, most of Sydney Allard’s recent trials successes have been attained with the production two-seater type, which has luggage space behind the seats and a slab-fuel tank of not much in excess of half the capacity of that on the original Allard—which car is now Guy Warburton’s pride and joy. We can vouch for the stability of these cars as fast road machines, and the same may be said of the Bugatti-tail two-seaters now used by Allard and Hutchison, which certainly have the engines set further back to combat the ” comps.banned ” ruling, but which have comparatively small rear tanks. Hutchison’s first V12 Allard, now for sale, which last year he used for trials, at Prescott and Wetherby and in the L.C.C. 8-Hour Sports-Car Race, had production twoseater bodywork and the smaller slab tank. In a leading article in MOTOR
SPORT of December 1987, we emphasised that trials adversely influence the design. of small sports-cars but that in the higher price classes cars can be found which are equally suitable for trials, speed events and fast road work. We regard the Allard as a very excellent example. The latest convert is D. G. Silcock, who used to drive a Jensen. His new car will have an aluminium head. V12 Lincoln engine, a specially low bonnet line, and a new type two-seater body with fuel tank in-built in a flowing tail. Certainly the Allard has earned a. reputation as a go-anywhere car and Adlards Motors, Ltd. tell us that answers. to their advertisements in this paper comermostly from abroad.