Success! The 1952 Monte Carlo Rally

There's probably no better way to commemorate Sydney Allard's win in the 1952 Monte Carlo Rally than by posting a firsthand account of their ordeal. The author is unknown, but it's assumed to be either Sydney or Tom Lush. We've also included photos of the rally that we doubt you've ever seen. Enjoy!

----------------

The crew for this Rally consisted of Sydney Allard, Guy Warburton and Tom Lush, and the crew arrangements were that Sydney and Guy should share the driving and Tom to be responsible for navigating and time keeping. The same crew had done the Rally previously and this arrangement had proved satisfactory.

We selected Glasgow as our starting point; the alternative starting places in Europe meant too long a time away from the office desk, and when the starting list was published we found we were the last but one to leave, there being 72 people; in front of us. Mrs. Allard and her sisters, who wore also driving in an Allard, were 15 numbers ahead of us and this order was of course kept until their unfortunate retirement some 300 miles from Monte Carlo.

Click to read more ...

The Monte Carlo Rally, 60 years later

Over the next few days, we'll be celebrating the 60th anniversary of Sydney Allard, Guy Warburton, and Tom Lush winning the Monte Carlo Rally in an Allard P1. The event started on Tuesday January 22, ending on Sunday the 27th. For those of you unfamilar with the classic Monte Carlo Rally, the event was a long distance road rally which emphasized navigation and timing on open roads as opposed to the special stage rally format we have today. In 1952, competitors started the rally on Tuesday January 22 from select cities all over Europe. Start cities included Glasgow, Oslo, Stockholm, Munich, Palermo, Lisbon, and Monte Carlo. The Allard team chose to start from Glasgow because they felt it would provide the most favorable weather conditions en route to Monte Carlo. In 1952, the weather would play an important factor, with the Alps blanketed in thick snow the route would be treacherous. 328 teams started the rally...only 167 finished.

In over 100 years, only 5 Britons have won the "Monte" and only one driver has won in a car bearing his own name. The driver and car were both named Allard.

RM Scottsdale Auction Preview

This year, RM will auction two Allards at their Scottsdale auction on Friday January 20. The first car is K3 3261, which was formerly owned by our late Historian, Bob Lylte. This K3 was originally sold through Noel Kirk Motors in LA to an engineer working on the Nike guided missle project. The car retains its original specification, including powder blue paint, Cadillac engine, and Hydramatic transmission. The car, Lot 244, is offered at no reserve and is estimated to sell for $85,000 to 125,000. Click here or the photo above to learn more about the car. AR Analysis: A very nice, powerful touring car that is perfect for vintage rallying.

The second car is K2 3019 which is ready for the track. The car features a DeDion rear suspenion (rare option for a K2), two fender mounted spare tires (another rarity), and a race prepared 600-HP Chrysler Hemi V8. The car carries FIA Historic Vehicle identity paper (#94/1571) and was invited to race in the Goodwood Revival. This car, Lot 220 is offered at no reserve and is estimated to sell for $175,000 to $215,000. Click here or the photo below to learn more about the car. AR Analysis: Great buy for anyone looking for a very competative car that can get into virtually any vintage race meeting.

 

Mystery J2

Daniel Rapley is seeking help in finding the true identity of his Allard J2. Here's what is known:

1. LHD
2. Steel Wheels
3. Looks to have been originally painted Red
4. Later painted in a medium Green
5. There are remnants of an old SCCA sticker on an interior panel
6. The car was found in the Northeast in the mid 1970's
7. It is believed that the body was lost in a fire. The old steering wheel is burnt.

If you known anything about this car, please click here to email Daniel. Click here to view the extensive photo gallery.

Merry Christmas!

On behalf of the Allard Register, I'd like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Cheers,
Colin Warnes

Allard For Sale...Price Reduced

This ad for the Steyr was published in the December 1951 issue of MotorSport magazine. It's amazing to think what a year can make...just a year ago the car was offered for 1,000GBP. I bet Sydney never thought this creation would be worth a few hundred thousand dollars/pounds some 60 years later.

Hot Cars - J2

Click here or the image above to download the pdf of this 4-page Hot Cars info sheet. 

Hot Cars - K3

Click here or the image above to download the pdf of this 4-page Hot Cars info sheet.

Ouch!

Killed Myself When I Was Young from The Jalopy Journal on Vimeo.

Pay close attention at the 1:24 mark, you'll see a few Allards where one unfortunate driver hits a tree on the drivers side. In the next shot you see a close up of the car and then it cuts to what appears to be the driver walking away. Does anyone know who the driver is? He appears to be wearing a scandinavian (backwards) flag on his coveralls...perhaps the shot was reversed?

Allard For Sale...

Classified ad from the April, 1950 issue of Motor Sport magazine. One wonders if Sydney wanted to capitalize on his 1949 Hill Climb Championship or if he wanted to help finance his next project?