Allard is set to make a return to car production some 60 years after where Sydney Allard left off. The marque will be backed by the original Allard family.
Just a couple of weeks ago we touched on how many famous automotive brands have been the subject of attempts to revive them in recent years but this latest looks to be rather more viable than most.
The marque in question is Allard which is set to make a return backed by the original Allard family, continuing where Sydney Allard left off 60 years ago.
The first of the new Allards will be a so-called continuation car based on the original Allard JR and created by Sydney’s son Alan who watched his father build the original cars back in the day, together with grandsons Lloyd and Gavin. Known as the JR continuation, the car is built from the original drawings and design bucks to be a faithful ‘tool room’ copy of the 1953 competition-specification JR.
With only seven original JRs made, the first of the continuations will be number eight and is set to be auctioned with RM Sotheby’s at its October 31 sale.
“As a family we have been passionate in reviving and continuing the legacy of what Sydney Allard created over eight decades ago,” said Lloyd Allard. “Since we’re all passionate drivers, engineers and archivists, it’s been important to stay true to our roots and passion. We see this car as a tribute and we’d love to see the JR continuation model car follow in the footsteps of my grandfather’s legacy and get back to Le Mans. Likewise, it would be a pleasure to see our creation on the historic and competition car circuit.”
The original Allards were created by marrying big American V8 engines with lightweight sports chassis and after initially making Ford Flathead V8-powered specials, Sydney Allard moved into creating his own chassis and complete cars, with the JR powered by a 300bhp Cadillac V8 and entered in the ’53 Le Mans.
The cars were popular in the USA but over time the cheaper competition from larger car makers saw demand decline and the company entered administration in the late 1950s. Today the cars are popular as both historic racers and performance road cars, with the JR sure to capture the imagination. You’ll need deep pockets though: the last original JR to sell at auction made $605,000 and the new car is estimated at £180,000-£240,000.
