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Jaguar Concepts Jaguar Cars
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Allard J2X MKII
“History repeats itself.” This long-held dictum signals the return of Allards in West Coast showrooms. Allard Motor Works (AMW) announced a new Allard dealership agreement in Santa Monica, California. Allard West will now provide prospective Allard J2X MkII customers with an opportunity to experience the Commemorative Edition hand-crafted roadster for themselves.
“In many ways, this West Coast dealership was instrumental in establishing the legend that the Allard J2X has become. In the early 1950s, the Allard J-series were the feature event at Torrey Pines, Santa Barbara, Golden Gate Park, Riverside and Pebble Beach, in the hands of racing stars such as Bill Pollack, Al Moss and so many others.” The Allard West dealership will be managed under the capable stewardship of Dennis Glavis, the successful owner of Morgan West– the largest Morgan dealer in North America. “The fit is ideal,” states the new distributor. “The market is primed for something new and exciting and the Allard J2X MkII fits the bill.
” Targeted to an upscale lifestyle market, the new J2X MkII blends the retro look with the excitement of open cockpit driving. “The big advantage is a classic vehicle without the classic reliability problems. This is a driver,” adds Glavis. With some 31 years selling Morgans (the last 9 years as a dealer), Dennis knows his market well and recognizes the appeal that the J2X MkII garners. “The MkII has four great advantages that classic car aficionados love: it has provenance; it is recognized by the Allard Registry, it is a low-volume hand-crafted vehicle and the build quality standards are very high.”
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The Allard J2X MkII is delivered ‘fully-loaded’ with options restricted to the choice of engine, a full-width windshield and a canvas top. Current options include the 5.7 liter fuel-injected GM RamJet V8 , the 5.7 liter Chrysler Hemi and the 6.1 liter Hemi. Power ranges from 360 hp to 600 hp. The dry weight of the MkII is 2,560 lbs. Allard West anticipates a July delivery of its new Allard J2X MkII demo car. The new roadster will be ‘Pozzi Blue’ with Poppy Red Muirhead leather upholstery, and is powered by a 370-hp 5.7 liter Hemi engine with a 5-speed Tremec manual transmission with overdrive, fully-independent suspension and oversized disc brakes.
The J2X is part of the Allard Motor Company's large family of vehicles built between 1936 and 1964 (arguably its most successful). Founded in 1936 by Sydney Allard, the company produced some 1,900 automobiles. These included hill climbers, sprint cars, sedans, racing cars and even dragsters.
Sydney Allard was a consummate racer. His cars saw plenty of action and enjoyed a solid reputation as serious contenders at Le Mans, Monte Carlo, Watkins Glen, Silverstone, Pebble Beach, Goodwood, as well as countless other tracks throughout Europe and North America.
The Allard’s racing notoriety came at the hands of individuals who are now legends in their own rights – Sydney Allard, Zora Arkus Duntov (Corvette pioneer), General Curtis LeMay (a commander of the Strategic Air Command), Carroll Shelby (entire 1953 season), Masten Gregory, as well as movie star, Steve McQueen. (June 15, 2009) Photos: Allard
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