The Ford Barn

tubman · 08-08-2018, 11:49 PM

Last March, a friend asked me to rebuild a Holley carb that he said came off of an Allard type L. I thought, "Sure, probably a clapped out MG or something", but accepted the task. I finished rebuilding the carb, and told my friend that I would really like to see the car it came off of. He called me today and said he was going down to check on the car and asked if I wanted to come along. I readily agreed, so off we went. We ended up at a pole barn out in the country in the woods of northern Minnesota. He unlocked the door, we went in, and there it was. It is an actual 1948 Allard L series roadster.

These cars were produced in small quantities in England after the second world war. The initial models came with Ford drivetrains. This one is a complete original and has a 24 stud flathead, a '39 type transmission and a Ford torgue tube rear end. All of the electrics seem to be Lucas, and the front suspension is a regular Ford beam axle that has been cut in two, with both sides being anchored in the center, producing an IFS of sorts. The car was a running driving example up to about 30 years ago, when it started having overheating problems. The owned subsequently died and left the car to his son. The current owner has asked my friend (who is a pretty good mechanic) to get the car going again. he came to me because he is inexperienced in flatheads and early Ford drivetrains. The car is all there and in good enough condition that it probably be cleaned up and preserved as it is.

I took a bunch of pictures and here are a few. It really is a neat car.

tubman · 08-08-2018, 11:54 PM

I imagine a few of you guys who know about Allards are thinking "Oh well, that's just an old type "L"; Allard made a lot better cars than that". Outside the pole barn is this trailer. It was securely locked by the owner, so I couldn't see what was inside, but my friend says it is a J2X with a Buick nailhead. After seeing the "L", I believe him.

deuce lover · 08-09-2018, 02:07 AM

There were also Cad powered Allards.Google Cad Allard ,lots of pics and info.

mercman from oz · 08-09-2018, 03:11 AM

This Allard was at the recent Motor Muster held at Greenfield Village, Dearborn.

tubman · 08-09-2018, 04:21 AM

I know all about Cad/Allards (also the Chrysler and Lincoln powered versions); the only reason I posted this is that this particular model has so many components common with early Fords. You'd never know just by looking at it.

Jembow · 08-09-2018, 05:16 AM

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Leslie Ballamy designed the split front axle in the 30s and marketed it as the LMB Axle, for V8 & small English Fords, as well as supplying Allard. Allard's first 'special' was a modified Model 48, now preserved and working the vintage hill-climb circuit over here. Sir Malcolm Campbell was a fan of the LMB, fitted one on his V8 and sold it through his Ford dealership.

It's a sophisticated bit of design, just cutting the axle in two doesn't hack it, you have to get the steering geometry right. If you can get hold of 'Out in Front' by Tony Russell, it tells the whole Ballamy story and it's a good read.

I've seen a LMB for a small Ford for sale but never the V8 model.

Frank Miller · 08-09-2018, 06:36 AM

A friend had an Allard in his shop years ago that had an Ardun in it. He is now working on rebodying on with a caddy engine in it.

19Fordy · 08-09-2018, 08:39 AM

Wonder what happens to the condition of a car when you
store it outside in a trailer for years?

19Fordy · 08-09-2018, 08:40 AM

Wonder what happens to the condition of a car when you
store it outside in a trailer for years?

rotorwrench · 08-09-2018, 08:53 AM

If it is in the shade there won't be as bad a problem with condensation. If it is in the sun in an area with high humidity, the trailer can get wet with condense inside. I've had the same problem with shipping containers. If you put a roof over them then the problem goes away.

V8COOPMAN · 08-09-2018, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

It is an actual 1948 Allard L series roadster.

These cars were produced in small quantities in England after the second world war. The initial models came with Ford drivetrains. This one is a complete original and has a 24 stud flathead, a '39 type transmission and a Ford torgue tube rear end.

The engine shown is a 21-stud. DD

flatjack9 · 08-09-2018, 09:02 AM

There was an Allard at Hershey a while back that had an Ardun in it and the car was signed by Zora. The guy who had it is a friend of Wayne Carini.

40 Deluxe · 08-09-2018, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Wonder what happens to the condition of a car when you
store it outside in a trailer for years?

Mice eat it up!

tubman · 08-09-2018, 12:43 PM

As soon as they told me the car was in the trailer I told them it was probably not a good idea, especially since the trailer is kind of pushed back in the woods. I was told that it was only there temporarily and that they would be moving it back inside soon. In any event, I checked the trailer out pretty good, and it seems to be in good shape. The car in the trailer supposedly came with a Chrysler hemi, which was replaced by the nailhead for racing. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but I told them that I just happen to have an extra 331 short bell in stock.

tubman · 08-09-2018, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

The engine shown is a 21-stud. DD

Could be; I was concentrating on other things; I'll double check when (or if) I see it again.

Mart · 08-09-2018, 03:03 PM

No need to double check, Tubs, the firing order diagram is only cast into the heads on the 21 studs. It may only be British origin motors that have those heads. The Pilots are like that for instance. My coupe has one of those 21 studs in it.

Good picture of Sydney Allard over on the hamb:
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...#post-12674573

Mart.

tubman · 08-09-2018, 05:39 PM

I stand corrected; I assumed that it was a 24 stud because it was installed new in 1948. I forgot about those "Pesky Pilots".

rotorwrench · 08-09-2018, 05:42 PM

Pilot was what I was thinking too. They made those engines a lot longer at the Dagenham plant than in the US. They all seem to have the firing order diagram on there.

russcc · 08-09-2018, 07:59 PM

Several years ago at Loudon NH during the Vintage Race car event there was an Ardun powered Allard J2 driven by Zora Arkus Duntov in the 1949 Watkins Glen Grand Pre. Results, DNF The photo is that of the car as it appeared at Loudon.

tubman · 08-09-2018, 08:53 PM

I guess you could get J2's and J2X's with a variety of engines. Cadillac was the most popular choice, but I think you could get Chrysler, Lincoln, or Ford engines. Given the time period, an Ardun would probably be an suitable alternative.

08-09-2018, 02:07 AM	#3
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,307	Re: I finally got to see the Allard There were also Cad powered Allards.Google Cad Allard ,lots of pics and info.

08-09-2018, 03:11 AM	#4
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,377	Re: I finally got to see the Allard This Allard was at the recent Motor Muster held at Greenfield Village, Dearborn.

08-09-2018, 04:21 AM	#5
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: I finally got to see the Allard I know all about Cad/Allards (also the Chrysler and Lincoln powered versions); the only reason I posted this is that this particular model has so many components common with early Fords. You'd never know just by looking at it.

08-09-2018, 05:16 AM	#6
Jembow Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Spalding, United Kingdom Posts: 306	Re: I finally got to see the Allard Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Leslie Ballamy designed the split front axle in the 30s and marketed it as the LMB Axle, for V8 & small English Fords, as well as supplying Allard. Allard's first 'special' was a modified Model 48, now preserved and working the vintage hill-climb circuit over here. Sir Malcolm Campbell was a fan of the LMB, fitted one on his V8 and sold it through his Ford dealership. It's a sophisticated bit of design, just cutting the axle in two doesn't hack it, you have to get the steering geometry right. If you can get hold of 'Out in Front' by Tony Russell, it tells the whole Ballamy story and it's a good read. I've seen a LMB for a small Ford for sale but never the V8 model.

08-09-2018, 06:36 AM	#7
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: I finally got to see the Allard A friend had an Allard in his shop years ago that had an Ardun in it. He is now working on rebodying on with a caddy engine in it. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

08-09-2018, 08:39 AM	#8
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,950	Re: I finally got to see the Allard Wonder what happens to the condition of a car when you store it outside in a trailer for years?

08-09-2018, 08:40 AM	#9
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,950	Re: I finally got to see the Allard Wonder what happens to the condition of a car when you store it outside in a trailer for years?

08-09-2018, 08:53 AM	#10
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: I finally got to see the Allard If it is in the shade there won't be as bad a problem with condensation. If it is in the sun in an area with high humidity, the trailer can get wet with condense inside. I've had the same problem with shipping containers. If you put a roof over them then the problem goes away.

08-09-2018, 09:02 AM	#12
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,527	Re: I finally got to see the Allard There was an Allard at Hershey a while back that had an Ardun in it and the car was signed by Zora. The guy who had it is a friend of Wayne Carini.

08-09-2018, 12:43 PM	#14
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: I finally got to see the Allard As soon as they told me the car was in the trailer I told them it was probably not a good idea, especially since the trailer is kind of pushed back in the woods. I was told that it was only there temporarily and that they would be moving it back inside soon. In any event, I checked the trailer out pretty good, and it seems to be in good shape. The car in the trailer supposedly came with a Chrysler hemi, which was replaced by the nailhead for racing. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but I told them that I just happen to have an extra 331 short bell in stock.

08-09-2018, 03:03 PM	#16
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,755	Re: I finally got to see the Allard No need to double check, Tubs, the firing order diagram is only cast into the heads on the 21 studs. It may only be British origin motors that have those heads. The Pilots are like that for instance. My coupe has one of those 21 studs in it. Good picture of Sydney Allard over on the hamb: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...#post-12674573 Mart.

08-09-2018, 05:39 PM	#17
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: I finally got to see the Allard I stand corrected; I assumed that it was a 24 stud because it was installed new in 1948. I forgot about those "Pesky Pilots".

08-09-2018, 05:42 PM	#18
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: I finally got to see the Allard Pilot was what I was thinking too. They made those engines a lot longer at the Dagenham plant than in the US. They all seem to have the firing order diagram on there.

08-09-2018, 08:53 PM	#20
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: I finally got to see the Allard I guess you could get J2's and J2X's with a variety of engines. Cadillac was the most popular choice, but I think you could get Chrysler, Lincoln, or Ford engines. Given the time period, an Ardun would probably be an suitable alternative.