Allard J2 Cadillac 1950

5,284
Sick_Cylinder
Allards were hand built aluminium bodied sports cars which were shipped to the USA without engines and then fitted with big American engines - normally tuned versions of the then very advanced OHV 331 cubic inch Cadillac V8. Both Zora Arkus-Duntov (father of the Corvette) and Carrol Shelby (creator of the Cobra) raced Allard J2's - Zora for the Allard factory team at Le Mans and Shelby in SCCA races.

The cars were available in road trim, but personally I prefer race cars. The following picture shows the 1950 Le Mans car driven to third place overall by Sydney Allard.

Allard J2 1950.jpg



That lovely Cadillac 331 producing about 300bhp in race tune.
Allard J2 Cadillac Engine.jpg


Classic Dash layout.
Allard J2 Dashboard.jpg


Finally, enjoy this clip of an Allard J2 Cadillac - it's long, but good and showcases the cars fantastic acceleration.

 
Allard J2 Engine.jpg
A great car truly deserving of more support!

75 J2 Allard's were fitted with Flat head Ford V8's to which the ARDUN OHV heads were fitted. The factory were having trouble tuning the engines and invited Zora Arkus-Duntov designer and manufacturer with his brother Yura of the ARDUN conversion to visit the factory. Zora raced a J2 at Le Mans and reached a speed of almost 146mph on the Mulsanne straight. Zora later went on to join Chevrolet where his name became synonymous with the Corvette.

Allard J2 Duntov.jpg

Above - Zora Arkus-Duntov's Allard. In the background can be seen Sydney Allards air cooled Steyr V8 powered twin rear wheel Allard with which he won the 1949 British Hillclimb championship.

Allard J2 Engine.jpg



Engine features OHV heads designed and manufactured by Zora and his brother Yura.

Allard J2 Ardun.jpg


The interior of Zoras J2.

Allard J2 Duntov interior.jpg


Either the Cadillac V8 powered or Ardun head Ford V8 powered Allard J2 would be great in the game. I think the Cadillac powered model probably wins out because it achieved a third place finish in the 1950 Le Mans and offered more performance.
 
So long as the Allard's in-game body is as visually flexible as in the video and rattles as much!

Love it!
 
The Cadillac powered Allards were sometimes known as Cadallards. Here's a classy looking one resplendent in maroon.

Allard J2 1950 Maroon.jpg
 
Allard Motor Company preparations for the 1953 Le Mans race shot by Cadillac Engineer Frank Burrell and featuring the Allard JR and other le Mans cars - rare colour footage.

 
Some rare footage showing Tommy Cole winning at Bridgehampton in 1951 in his Allard J2 Cadillac. The race starts circa 1.15 and as well as Allard's shows a range of MG's and Jaguar XK120's.

 

Latest Posts

Back