I remember that…..
John Buchanan’s recent photographic
coverage of the club’s “Mega” Cruise on
August 27, which I missed, brought back
some old memories from my childhood.
Namely the photos of the Allard J2X. It
returned for our next cruise so I did get to
check it out.
The history of the original Allards started
in the 30’s ending around 1957. Allards
were built by an Englishman, Sydney
Allard, The Allards were built without
engines but were usually fitted with Ford
Flatheads , Cadillac's, Chrysler Hemis and
others by the dealer/owner. Apparently
they are currently being reproduced under
Allard license as was the one at our cruise.
So, my connection to all of this. When I
was a kid of around 12 -13 years old and
growing up in Vermont, a family friend who
happened to be into sports cars, owned an
Allard J2X with the Cadillac engine . Over
the years this man owned several sports
cars, MG, Triumph etc.
At the time, the car was being serviced in
Boston , Foreign Motors I believe. This
fellow also owned his own airplane but left
the piloting to someone else. Knowing I
was interested in cars, he asked my Dad if I
would like to take a trip with him to Boston
to retrieve the Allard.
We departed for Boston from a small
grass field in , I think , Haverhill, N.H., just
across the river from my home in Bradford,
Vermont. The Allard was picked up in
Boston and we then started the ride back to
Vermont. This is pre I93 days so I suspect
the route was probably Route 2 then Route
5 up into Vermont. I recall stopping briefly
around Windsor/Mt Ascutney to check if
the Mt Ascutney hill climb was running, it
wasn’t, so on to home to Bradford.
This adventure has stuck in my mind all
these years and lights up every time I see
or hear of an Allard .
Story by Don Cole
(See picture of Allard J2X on page 5)
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