Allard JR-3408
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The list of car companies offering continuation cars seems to be growing every month. So far Bentley, Lister, Cobra, Jaguar, Aston Martin, and even Alvis are offering turn key ‘continuation’ versions of their iconic cars from years ago. The continuation cars from these companies all share a common trait that affects their authenticity…they have nothing to do with the original companies or founders that built those cars. However, there is one company that is different.
In 1929, Sydney Allard built his first special – a Morgan 3-wheeler converted to 4-wheels and started racing it. Sydney went on to create the Allard Motor Company which built a number of significant cars and helped transform the automotive market around the world. From there, son Alan joined his father in drag racing and went on to publish an early guide to turbo-charging in 1982. In 2005, Sydney’s Grandson and Alan’s son, Lloyd joined the family business offering a range of custom fabricated aluminum radiators, fuel tanks, and other components for a range of vintage and modern cars.
Alan and Lloyd stayed in close contact with the Allard community and through that, Lloyds fabrication skills were sought out in 2013 to help bring a variety of tired Allards back to new. Along this time, Alan and Lloyd were urged to bring one of the rarest and sought out Allards back to the market. The car below was been built in part, to test the market for the revival of Allard as a specialist car manufacturer once again, after a gap of some 60 years
What you see here, is JR chassis #3408, the result of over 90 years of automotive experience from a family that has history of building some of the most unique automobiles to ever turn a wheel. The bulk of the car was fabricated personally by grandson Lloyd while son (and father) Alan handled the fine details like panel fitment, trim, and dash assembly. Sydney was a very hands-on car builder and would have be very pleased to see what his progeny have created. The body was the only major fabricated assembly that was outsourced; with that work being trusted to Sean at Historical Motor Works using the original JR bucks.
Sadly, the JR designer, Dudley Hume passed away on May 31, 2019 unable to see the finished product. However, he was instrumental in helping Lloyd and Alan as he had assisted Sydney some 65 years ago. Dudley retained virtually all of the original build drawings which the family used in recreating the JR. JR 3408 was not built from 3D scans or CAD models of donor cars like other ‘continuation’ cars utilize. This car was built from the original velum paper drawings that guided the construction of chassis’ 3401-3407.
The car utilizes as many original components as possible including the spindles, brake back plates, Lockheed brake parts with Alfin drums, Marles steering box, Bluemels steering wheel, Smith’s gauges, and even the spare wheel spigot in the boot. The only modern upgrade is a ‘Period E’ bolt in roll cage to meet FIA regulations.
3408 is powered by a Cadillac 331 V8 producing 300 bhp at 4500 rpm. The engine breathes through two 4-throat Carter carburetors. Drive is transferred through a stout LaSalle 3-speed transmission to a Halibrand quick change differential. The car rides on 600 x 16” wire wheels with Allard knock-offs. 3408 is equipped with only a driver side door, matching the build of the 1953 Le Mans cars (if you want your own JR, it can be equipped with a passenger door as non-Le Mans cars were similarly built).
This JR has been approved by the FIA which means that it is eligible to compete in FIA sanctioned events throughout the world.
We’ve been thinking a lot lately about what makes a car a ‘replica’ or a ‘continuation’ and how JR 3408 should be categorized. Really, this car defies attempts to categorize it as it was physically built by the family whose name it wears on the bonnet with the help of the designer that created it. What is JR 3408? It is an Allard.
JR 3408 is being offered by RM-Sothebys at its London Auction this coming October 31, 2020. If you would like to learn more about this car or enquire about having a JR built to your needs, please visit www.allardsportscars.co.uk or email Alan and Lloyd at info@allardsportscars.com.
