The Allard J1 was an open two-seat sports car built from 1946 and the first series model the Allard Motor Company made. It replaced the pre-war Allard V8, was trimmed for competition rather than comfort, and only twelve were built before the improved J2 arrived.
Allard J1 at a glance
| Maker | Allard Motor Company, Clapham, London |
|---|---|
| Production | 1946–1947 |
| Built | 12 |
| Body | open two-seat competition car, aluminium |
| J1 3.6 engine | 3,622 cc Ford sidevalve V8, 85 bhp at 3,800 rpm |
| J1 3.9 engine | 3,917 cc Ford sidevalve V8, 100 bhp at 3,800 rpm |
| Bore × stroke | 77.79 × 95.26 mm (3.6); 81 × 95.26 mm (3.9) |
| Compression | 6.1:1 (3.6); 7.5:1 (3.9) |
| Wheelbase | 2,540 mm |
| Track | 1,422 mm front and rear |
| Front suspension | independent, transverse leaf spring |
| Rear suspension | live axle on a transverse leaf spring |
The main source is the German Wikipedia article on the J1, which has no English equivalent; the English article on the Allard Motor Company adds the competition results.
History of the Allard J1
The J1 was the first Allard to be built in series. It was an open two-seater intended for competition, on a particularly light frame with independent front suspension on a transverse leaf spring and a driven live rear axle hung on a second transverse leaf spring. With a wheelbase of 2,540 mm and a track of 1,422 mm, it was compact and light.
Two engine versions were offered. The J1 3.6 used the sidevalve Ford V8 of model 01A/02A, the same engine later fitted to the Ford Pilot: 3,622 cc, 6.1:1 compression and 85 bhp at 3,800 rpm with a Ford carburettor. The J1 3.9 had a larger 3,917 cc version with a Solex carburettor, 7.5:1 compression and 100 bhp at the same engine speed.
The bodies were made by the coachbuilders Paramount Sheet Metal and Whittingham & Mitchel; the latter supplied the Two-Seater Competition Open Sports body shown on the cars that survive. Ground clearance was good and the front wings could be removed, which made the car easy to prepare for trials and circuit racing.
Production of both versions ended in 1947 after only twelve cars. A J1 driven by Godfrey Imhof won the 1947 Lisbon Rally in supercharged form, and Leonard Potter took the Coupe des Alpes the same year. From 1949 the revised J2 took over.
Design and features
- First series Allard: the model that turned the company from a maker of specials into a car manufacturer.
- Two engines: the 3.6-litre Ford V8 of 85 bhp or the larger 3.9-litre unit of 100 bhp.
- Competition trim: stark equipment, good ground clearance and removable front wings.
- Coachbuilt aluminium: bodies by Paramount Sheet Metal and Whittingham & Mitchel.
- Rally success: victory in the 1947 Lisbon Rally and the Coupe des Alpes.
Allard J1 versions
- J1 3.6: 3,622 cc Ford V8 of 85 bhp with a Ford carburettor.
- J1 3.9: 3,917 cc Ford V8 of 100 bhp with a Solex carburettor and higher compression.
- Supercharged cars: private entries such as the Lisbon Rally winner used a Marshall supercharger.
The J1 was replaced by the J2, and its roadgoing sister was the K1. More cars are in the Allard collection.
Sources
- Allard J1, German Wikipedia: engines, dimensions, body makers, production
- Allard Motor Company, English Wikipedia: competition record and removable wings
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