Editor – Brian Taylor. Thanks to Drag Racing

Editor – Brian Taylor.
Thanks to Drag Racing Confidential for on-line turn-page version
Cover photo; Bev Bradbury
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HOW YOU CAN HELP FINISH THE JOB
You can donate money to the restoration fund that will be used for
purchasing the parts and procedures that we have been unable to
acquire on a sponsorship basis.
You can offer money, parts and procedures on a full or part
sponsorship basis.
You can donate your time and join the restoration team carrying
out the work.
For financial contributions contact Brian Taylor via [email protected]
For parts and labour contact Bob Roberts via [email protected]
You can buy ACAG
products. All
profits go towards
the restoration
project
Visit www.allardchrysler.org - merchandise
You can buy your insurance
from Performance Direct. Every
policy bought can generate
funds for the restoration and
you get a discount
GET ALL THE DETAILS FROM
www.allardchrysler.org – insurance offer
2
BACK TO WORK AFTER THE FIRE-UP
Preparing for final strip down and rebuild
In the last issue of ACAG Update we reported the Dragstalgia weekend at Santa
Pod when we were all bathed in glory after the Allard Chrysler‟s first public fireup since 1964. But it was soon back to work and while the world was watching
Andy Murray win Olympic Gold at the London Olympics and NASA landed a
Rover vehicle on Mars, the ACAG restoration team of me, Bob Roberts, Syd
McDonald, Stuart Bradbury, Martin Dunks and Andy Robinson gathered at Andy
Robinson Race Cars to pursue our own challenge.
Martin Dunks, Stu Bradbury and Syd McDonald at work. (source; Brian Taylor)
Stuart and Martin made some final adjustments to the steering Pitman and idler
arms to prevent the latter from fouling the bodywork – something that had been
happening for years. Meanwhile Syd replaced most of the broken Dzus fasteners
and/or springs. We now had a complete set apart from the fuel cap cover.
3
Syd then investigated the blow-off valve that has been leaking fuel while the
engine was running. He found that an O-ring seal had not been installed. The
blow-off valve was one of the components held in stock at Beaulieu since the
part restoration carried out in the late 1970s.
We had a seal in our box of Beaulieu bits (wondered what that was for) so this
was fitted and the blow-off valve replaced ready for a fire-up test later in the
day. The spring loading was a guestimate but Lori & Doug Peterson along with
Chico Kodama of Mooneyes were able to e-mail more procedural information
later. I‟ll certainly ensure this is included in the Operating Manual that I am
writing for the museum.
Fitting the blow-off valve seal and tensioning the springs. (source; Brian Taylor)
I cleaned off the crack testing fluid from the 5-spoke rear mag wheels ready for
transport to Motoshine who agreed to polish them on a sponsorship basis before
we paint the spokes red as per photos of the car in 1962. More about Motoshine
later. I also degreased the inside of one of the cockpit panels and tested the
level of polished aluminium finish achievable using wet and dry along with
Scotchbrite. It looked good and we will carry out the process with a buffer when
the car is stripped back and before the panels are sent for paint.
Bob concentrated on a mock-up remote methanol tank for starting while we
waited for our donated Mooneyes tank to arrive. We had continued to develop
the engine fire-up procedure after Dragstalgia using a remote methanol tank.
We wanted a method that enabled us to leave all the cowlings in place. A small
1/8 inch npt fuel connector had been installed in the tapped hole provided on top
of one of the Hilborn injector inlet tubes with a pipe leading to the front cowling
fuel cap cover. The remote tank was connected to this with a tube fitted with a
ball valve control switch to adjust the flow. A test firing proved the system sound
and before the next test session a second npt connector would be fitted on the
hole provided in the second inlet tube for better fuel distribution.
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The plan at this stage was to start the engine this way on methanol before
introducing nitro using the cockpit fuel shut-off control. We will then remove the
remote methanol feed and the support team will move back from the car leaving
the driver in control of a nitro „cackle‟. Before switching off the engine the
support team will return to the car and reconnect the remote methanol feed.
Methanol will be fed into the engine and the nitro switched off after a short while
leaving the car running on methanol; so purging the fuel system of nitro. The
engine will then be switched off ending the „cackle‟.
The engine ran much better with no fuel leaking from the blow-off valve that
briefly opened on initial start-up. Header flames appeared from all eight pipes.
Top Methanol Dragster builder and driver Dave Wilson joined us for a second
test fire-up and he fine-tuned the mixture getting the engine to tick over very
slowly. He knows a bit about tuning nitro cars and it sounded like a quartet of
orchestrated Harleys.
The gang assembled again at Andy Robinson Race Cars on September 30th. This
time it was me, Syd (Calorie Max Catering) McDonald, Andy Robinson, Bob
Roberts, Martin Dunks (who turned down a trip for his McLaren GT employers to
Germany so he could join us), Stu Bradbury and Paul Stubbings (now on
temporary leave from his Timewarp duties). We were also joined by
photographer Dave Gardener of Deltapixels.
The first job we addressed was agreeing a solution to the header/slicks
clearance when the car is fitted with the rear 5-spokes and slicks. This was
something highlighted during our appearance at Chelsea AutoLegends at the
beginning of September (more details about this show later in this issue of ACAG
Update). We already knew that the clearance was very small from photos taken
in the early 1960s but Chelsea was the first time the slicks and 5-spokes had
been fitted to both sides of a rolling chassis. They actually touched on one side.
We tried moving the axle
slightly but there was
enough
to
make
a
difference. We also tried
adjusting the header pipe
braces and attempted a
cold bend on the rear pipes
but again there was no joy
which, out of our original
ideas, left is with shaving
the tread off the tyres and
fitting
spacers
to
the
headers where they joined
the engine.
Too close for comfort. (source; Delta Pixels)
After much discussion, rather than this piecemeal approach it was decided better
to re-profile the headers slightly and get them re-chromed if necessary. It might
cost a bit more but it would be a proper job and we don‟t believe the existing
chrome is original or it would have blued with the heat.
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One of the day‟s prime objectives was to test the switch from methanol in the
remote starter tank to nitro in the main fuel tank and back again to methanol.
So Bob finished off the new remote methanol feed to the rear injector intake and
completed the associated piping. We hadn‟t completed the new remote starter
trolley so the remote tank and starter battery we had used previously for our
test starts was brought into operation.
Extra throttle arm and remote methanol inlet points. (source; Delta Pixels)
We had noticed a slight twisting of the butterfly operating shaft with the existing
idle return spring set-up to the side of the inlets. So Paul fitted the F105 throttle
arm supplied by Edris Snipes of Hilborn Injection in the centre of the two inlets.
In association with a new return spring this kept the throttle in the idle position
and equalised the tension across both butterflies.
While he was doing this we logged all the nuts and bolts required. Some of those
fitted were not period correct and some bolts were not long enough. We also
logged all chrome, nickel plate and paint requirements so I could negotiate an
agreement with a chrome plating company. Apart from the cowlings we would
carry out the painting in-house.
We fitted the old wheels back on ready for a fire-up after lunch. We had a bit of
trouble with the wheel studs and Stu is trying to locate some extra nuts because
the car has always been a few short. If you haven‟t got a full set it allows those
remaining to slide back and interfere with the wheel rotation. The old oil was
drained and the filter and oil checked for nasty bits. Looked OK. Fresh oil was
added.
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Checking the oil filter and getting ready for the fire-up. Brian Taylor, Stu
Bradbury, Syd McDonald, Andy Robinson and Paul Stubbings. (source; Delta
Pixels)
After we had all taken bread with Syd the rockers were oiled and the plugs
checked. It looked as if the Number 8 plug had dropped so this was re-gapped.
Methanol was poured into the remote feed tank and a 40 per cent nitro mix in
the main fuel tank. We were ready for a test fire-up.
Remote fuel tank ready (source; Delta Pixels)
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This was the first fire-up carried out in slightly colder conditions and initially the
engine did not want to know. Out came the petrol squeezy bottle and after a
couple of goes we were in business. The transfer between nitro and methanol
worked well but we have decided that our remote fuel tank will contain a
mixture of methanol and petrol in the future. Although a methanol start is OK in
the summer, we don‟t live in California so the petrol/methanol mix makes more
sense.
It‟s fire-up time. (source; Delta Pixels)
We still have some
air
and
fuel
distribution issues to
overcome but things
are improving as we
learn more. Lots of
unburnt fuel coming
out of the headers at
low revs with a
bigger flame display
on methanol. We
managed to set fire
to the workshop floor
at one point. Photo
Delta Pixels.
It smells much nicer on nitro and the engine runs much smoother. After some
consideration the plan is to add jets to the remote tank inlets on the Hilborn unit
to further improve initial fire-up. Dave Gardener got it all down on photos and
videos and we will post these on www.allardchrysler.org ASAP. Another Work-In
day is planned for October 21st to carry out further tests and complete the
water cooling system including fitting the original water temperature sensor that
worked after test in hot water in Bob‟s teacup. Bob Walker of Hot Heads had
sent us two water filler necks. The two we had donated did not fit. After this the
tear down begins on November 11th enabling chrome and paint to be applied to
complete the restoration.
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So we are now looking for a UK based company to join us in the restoration that
can take on this plating task. If anyone out there has any suitable contacts let
me know on [email protected]. I will then contact them with more details.
The following list shows the items requiring treatment.
Chrome
2 radius rods
1 track rod
2 steering drag links
1 Pitman arm
1 steering shaft
1 handbrake/shut-off valve lever
1 gear shift lever
1 cross shaft from Pitman arm to
steering box
1 UJ cover
2 short shock absorber links
Nickel plate
2 rear brake cooling finned brake drums
We may also have some chrome plate requirements on the headers after reprofiling.
(source; Tom West and Gordon Bruce)
After tear-down the engine and new remote trolley will be sent to Beaulieu and
put back on display. The dragster‟s next public fire-up appearance will be at a
special Press Launch to be held at Beaulieu on May 18/19th. This will also be our
supporter thank you party and the official hand-over of the completed project to
the museum. We‟ll keep you informed.
9
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WE’RE GOING TO RESTORE ONE OF THESE
The restoration of Europe’s first dragster – Part 1
Previous issues of ACAG Update have told the story of the initial building of
Europe‟s first dragster, its racing history and its part restoration in the late
1970s. But how did this final restoration project get started and how was it
promoted? During the research stage of my book Crazy Horses-the history of
British drag racing in 2007 I used the library at the National Motor Museum,
Beaulieu and seeing the Allard Chrysler dragster on display reminded me of its
importance to drag racing‟s history. It was then that I came up with the idea of
completing the restoration of the car; not to enable it to race again, but so that
it could be fired up on a demonstration basis („cackled‟) for fans to see and hear
what started drag racing in the UK – and indeed Europe.
Was it good timing for such a venture? Probably not. The banking crisis had
erupted with a run on the Northern Rock bank in the UK. Gordon Brown had just
taken over from Gordon Blair as British Prime Minister. In economic terms the
global outlook was looking pretty fearsome so getting financial backing for a
restoration was not going to be easy.
Not a great time to start fund raising
But the dragster was clearly in good condition for its age so I contacted several
drag racing luminaries in the UK and the USA to check out what sort of interest
there would be in such a project. These included the legendary Don Garlits, Fred
Babcock who came over with the American team in 1964 and 1965, Bob Keith
who drove his dragsters at both events and captained the American team in
1965, respected American drag racing commentator Jon Lundberg, drag racer
and organiser Carl Olson plus the British and American drag racer Clive Skilton.
In the UK I contacted the first non USA citizen to put down a 5 sec run outside
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the USA Peter Crane, Chairman of the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Stuart
Bradbury and Alan Allard. I used Facebook to make many of these contacts – a
social network that proved to be very useful during this early stage of the
project.
The response was positive so I then contacted fellow Guild of Motoring Writers
member Lord Montagu of Beaulieu to get his views on the idea. He too was
enthusiastic and instigated a meeting between myself, Doug Hill, the National
Motor Museum‟s Manager and Lord Montagu‟s Chief Engineer, along with
Director of Collections Andrea Bishop. Both liked the idea and gave the „thumbs
up‟ as long as there were enough enthusiasts to raise the necessary funds and
provide the expertise to carry out the work in a professional manner and in line
with the museum‟s strict restoration code – some of this work to be carried out
in the museum‟s own workshop but a lot of it at remote sites.
Doug said at the time,
“I believe that the best way to preserve a motor car is to ensure that it is in full
working order and then strictly controlled and documented as far as usage and
maintenance is concerned. The archive that is with the vehicle is almost as
important as the vehicle itself. And the project would be a tribute to Brian
Golder who saved the car from obscurity and bequeathed it to the National
Motor Museum Trust”.
So he and I prepared an outline
paper for the Museum Trustees
Advisory Council that was
chaired by motoring enthusiast,
classic car owner/racer and Pink
Floyd drummer, Nick Mason
who was also President of the
Guild of Motoring Writers.
The paper proposed that they initially look at what would be required to achieve
„working exhibit‟ status and the response was a „careful‟ yes. I then formed the
Allard Chrysler Action Group (ACAG) to act as a body to see the project through
and became its Chairman, reporting to Doug Hill who was Project Manager.
Support came from drag racers from the past and present. Sydney Allard‟s son
Alan was one of the first names to join up, along with his sons Gavin and Lloyd.
Clive Skilton and Peter Crane added their names along with the man who
originally designed the car for Sydney, David Hooper. Gerry Belton who
organised the Drag Festivals in 1964 and 1965 wanted to be involved, as did
Stuart Bradbury, Andy Robinson and Norm Wheeldon. One person we could not
locate at this time was John Hume, Sydney Allard‟s Chief Engineer. The ACAG
quickly assembled the expertise to complete the next task - inspecting the car
on June 10th 2008 and preparing a detailed budget of the work and costs
involved.
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Top left – Brian Taylor, Doug Hill, Norm Wheeldon, Dave Davies
Top right – Andy Robinson, Alan Allard, David Hooper
Bottom – Dave Davies, David Hooper, Andy Robinson, Bob Roberts (source Alan
Currans)
David Hooper prepared a summary of the parts used on the dragster based on
his own memory and articles published at the time and this was very helpful
during the inspection stage and in preparing the budget/task list that formed
part of a detailed and final proposal to the Trustees Advisory Board. After going
through this paperwork the Trustees signed it off in September 2008 so that
awareness of the project could be created and the fund raising could begin. The
initial Task List reflects the early thoughts, but things changed in the light of
experience and more detailed Task Lists created later in the project. But we had
a guide and the initial budget estimate was £45,000 (about $70,000).
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ALLARD CHRYSLER DRAGSTER TASKS
Chassis and body panels
Chassis strip down, crack test and repaint
Check colour of rear body panels using early colour pics
4-point harness
Front axle
Wheels Ardrox test
Wheels – paint red
Wheels – new grease caps required
Front axle strip down and rebuild
Crack test front stub axles
2 Brake master cylinders
2 front Brake hoses
Brake callipers service kits
2 Shock absorber service kits
1 pair shock absorber links
King pin set
Pair of wheel bearings
3 track rod ends
4 spring shackle bushes
Shock absorber fluid
Brake fluid
Rear axle
Wheels crack test
Wheels – paint red
Brake cylinders, springs, retainers. 4 rear wheel cylinders plus metal brake pipes
Brake shoes made to measure. Lockheed 12 inch diam by 1.75 inches (Humber 50s/60s)
Brake drums inspected
Hand brake design and manufacture
Strip rear axle and re-build
Fuel system
Replacement 2 port Hilborn injection system incl barrel valve
New Hilborn fuel pump
Pressure test fuel tank
Fuel system hoses
Transmission
Centreforce flywheel, clutch, centre plate, bearings
Quick Change Gears (set of 2)
Gear selection lever and linkage to g/b
Blower
Strip down, inspect, rebuild and re-drill
Other brake and steering
Brake pedal remanufacture
Steering box re-build and steering col part
Steering box cross arm crack test
Spacers for front radius rods
Engine
354 Chrysler block, heads, innards incl fitting blower, fuel injection and flywheel for testing
Chute
Irvin drove chute and release mechanism. Alternate option Stroud chute trefoil shape
Electrics
Electric gauges check and refurb
Vertex Magneto
Starter Motor
Other installation tasks including plumbing and wiring. Install starter motor and wiring. Install
fuel system
Buy firesuit and breather mask
Trailer and sign-writing
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Persuading Nick Mason to become Patron of the ACAG helped push along the
fund raising and credibility (as did launching of an Allard Chrysler blog that
metamorphosed into a website www.allardchrysler.org and was soon supported
by an Allard Dragster Facebook page).
On accepting the position of Patron Nick said,
“The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
is proud to have such an important car
in its collection and I‟m really pleased
to be part of this exciting project.
Sydney Allard is a legend in British
Motor Sport‟s history and restoring his
dragster back to its original condition
will be a fitting tribute. Hearing the
sound of that Chrysler Hemi V8 again
will be very special”.
(source; National Motor Museum, Beaulieu)
The next job was to prepare some promotional material for mailers and
handouts and these were designed by ACAG supporter Phil Brown.
The first was an A4 folded full colour leaflet that was sponsored by ACAG
members the accelerationarchive.co.uk, Time Travel DVDs and US Automotive.
These were sent to the press and 77 potential sponsors in February 2009 with a
letter.
I deliberately used the scatter gun approach because advertising on the car is
not possible due to its historic integrity (no advertising allowed in the early
1960s), and the appeal of being involved in such a unique project could be of
interest to any company wishing to promote Britishness – particularly in the
American market. Likewise with companies promoting the American culture to
Europe.
The take-up was disappointing but it led to some sponsorship from Performance
Direct with the ACAG winning a competition (more about this later), and
communication with Chrysler in Detroit that looked very promising at this stage.
This was before the takeover by the Fiat Group that tended to put a stop to
many things. And we did get a lot of initial publicity in magazines, local papers
and the internet.
We followed this up later with a small pocket-sized leaflet sponsored by Andy
Robinson Race Cars, because it wasn‟t long before we were taking the car to
appear at exhibitions and we needed a small give-away.
15
The ACAG commenced a regular series of press releases and I persuaded
Chicane Marketing to help handle some Media Relations. This company was well
known and respected in the UK automotive industry and I had previously worked
with them. It proved to be quite successful with printed and on-line media. The
collage and list shows some of the information streams and publications covering
the story.
16
90right.wordpress.com
Allardchrysler.org
Allardregister.org
Americanautoparts.com
American Car World
Autopendium.com
Bournemouthecho.co.uk
Cisionwire.com
Classic American
Classic & Sports Car
Classiccar.co.nz
Classicrallies.com
Connected
Custom Car
Dailyecho.co.uk
Draglist.com
Dragracingonline.com
Drcreview.com
Easier.com
Eurodragster.com
Europeanmotornews.com
Facebook.com
Fast Facts
Findarticles.com
Girlracer.co.uk
Gisborneherald.co.nz
Gmotors.co.uk
Great-cars.co.uk
Hagertyinsurance.co.uk
Historicmotorsportshow.com
Honestjohn.co.uk
Hotrod.com
Hotrodhotline.com
Jalopyjournal.com
Mixposure.com
Motorbase.com
Mopar Collectors Guide Mag
Moparmax.com
Motoring-news.com
Motor Sport
Motorsportcircuitguide.com
Myrideisme.com
NHRA.com
NRK.no
Nationalspeedsportsnews.com
Netavisen.no
Octane
Performancedirect.co.uk
Pistonheads.com
Plymouth Herald
Project1320.com
Project1320.ning
Racecar.com
Raceretro.com
Race Tech
Rodsnsods.co.uk
Santapod.com
Saturnautomobileinsurance.com
Sidmouth Herald
Sportscardigest.com
Streetfire.net
Streetrodder.automotive.com
Streetrodderweb.com
Sureterm.com
Theaccelerationarchive.co.uk
The-wild-bunch.co.uk
Topcruisersites.net
Truveo.com
Turbodynamics.co.uk
Ukdrn.co.uk
Videosearch.nifty.com
Xtremewheelsshow.com
Youtube.com
Zercustoms.com
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But it was clear from the early mailer response that most of the initial funding
for the work would come from ACAG members making donations and the sale of
branded items. My thinking was that corporate sponsorship would come later
once the project had more shape and substance. So we developed a series of
exclusive products that we could sell to the fans – again design work was by Phil
Brown. These included T-shirts and Polo shirts updated in 2010 with our
sponsor‟s logos, paintings and special limited edition prints of these paintings
signed by Nick Mason and Sydney‟s son Alan who drove the car in 1964. The
original paintings were auctioned off and raised £1500 (Around $2400)
Allard Chrysler dragster and Mooneyes in 1963 by Paul Whitehouse
In 2010 we used the Paul Whitehouse painting of the Allard Chrysler and
Mooneyes for a special limited edition fund raising Christmas card called
Gathering Winter fuel. This proved to be very popular. Paul also did a painting of
the 1965 Allard Chrysler.
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1965 Allard Chrysler by Paul Whitehouse
The painting by well-known Norwegian artist Tommy Vågen was quite unique.
He painted the picture in the open air as he felt the Norwegian winter light gave
him a better feel for the colours used. He must have been cold!
Tommy Vågen at work (source Tommy Vågen)
The finished work is 70cm x 60cm and is on thick cotton Dutch canvas. Undiluted, high quality, Rembrant acrylic is the main paint used - with filings from
an old blower taken from the Allard Chrysler dragster mixed in to give the
painting structure, texture and uniqueness in keeping with the project. As well
as a brush, a pallet knife and a pencil have been used to apply the paint
mixture. It has been completed with several layers of H Schmincke & Co acrylic
aerosol glanz finish. Larger pieces from the blower have been glued on the
painting and to the back of the canvas. Tommy has drilled through part of it with
the result that you still get the smell of the original car when you view it close
up. It must be the only painting that smells like the subject!
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The Paul Whitehouse paintings were more traditional gouache on artboard. And
Paul was a great supporter of our project. He donated two extra original
paintings that we were able to auction for funds. One of these was of the
Commuter dragster and the other featured the Pure Hell and Pure Heaven Fuel
Altereds. Together these two raised £650.00 ($1000)
By the end of 2010 Stuart Taylor
had joined the creative wing of
the ACAG. Gloucester based, he
first became interested in drag
racing in the early 1960‟s via Hot
Rod Magazine with his first drag
racing meeting being Kemble
during the 1964 International
Drag Racing Festival organised
by Sydney Allard.
He had been drawing since he was 7-years old and became interested in Chinese
art although he specialised in transport and racing cars of different types. For
most of his work he uses graphite pencil on heavy fine quality cartridge paper
but by 2010 he had returned to using colour pencil to add depth to his drawings.
It is this technique that he used on the new drawing designed specifically for the
ACAG‟s fund raising activities. It features the „Guv‟nor‟ himself – Sydney Allard and the Allard Chrysler at Kemble in 1964 sporting the race number 121.
In 2011 Paul Whitehouse prepared another painting of the 1961 Allard Chrysler
showing the car at Silverstone in 1963. This too was sold for funds and prints
made to maximise the paintings potential. Australian artist Pedro Keenan also
donated an image for fund raising use by the ACAG.
20
We also decided to launch a range of T-shirts featuring the paintings and other
artistic tributes to the restoration project including a page from the American
comic and Gordon Bruce‟s schematic illustration. But we‟re getting ahead of
ourselves so back to 2009. If we were to have the support needed I recognised
the need for our project to have global appeal – particularly in the USA. More
about that in the next issue of ACAG Update.
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22
The old and the new at Chelsea AutoLegends
CHAMPERS AND PIMMS AT
CHELSEA AUTOLEGENDS
Bunnies and dragsters at Chelsea
Well; that was a bit different! Champagne, Pimms and posh frocks at Chelsea
over September 1st and 2nd along with Playboy Bunny Girls, Chelsea Pensioners
and celebrities; a bit like Henley Regatta on wheels. It was a really nice affair
with the Allard Chrysler joining our major sponsor Chris Andrews of F&A Racing
with the Lucas Top Fuel Car and Santa Pod‟s green display Avenger Funny Car.
The ACAG crew of Brian Taylor, Maurice Takoor, Syd McDonald, Stuart Bradbury
and Martin Dunks were kitted out in their 1960s style white overalls, shirts and
IMI ties. Bob Roberts was in his best Andy Robinson Race Cars kit and Bev
Bradbury helped keep us in good order. The first thing we noticed was how few
of these supercar fans had ever seen a dragster before. The shock on the faces
of the organisers and BRSCC marshals as we unloaded the Lucas Top Fuel car
was a sight to behold. I wish we had a camera available then.
The weather tried its hardest to spoil things but a very light sprinkle was all it
could manage so we were able to spread the message to a new audience. The
Allard Chrysler was featured in the event programme given level billing with the
World Record setting John Cobb Napier Railton. Now that is an honour. It made
me realise that not only have we recreated Europe‟s first dragster but we have
also put the spotlight on the Sydney Allard legend.
After being told that noise restrictions would prevent us from firing up the car
they did start up a Formula 1 car. If we attend next year I have asked the
organisers for equal rights. All those Chelsea supercar fans that have never seen
a fuel dragster will then be able to hear one. It could be the first time a fuel
dragster has been fired up so close to London‟s centre of fashion and the
corridors of power. It will certainly startle all those London based parakeets
squawking in the Royal Hospital trees. Chelsea photos by Brian Taylor, Bev
Bradbury, Bob Roberts and Maurice Takoor.
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25
The Allard Chrysler with split body at the Racing Car Show
during the winter of 1961/62 (source; Gavin Allard Collection)
A video of featuring this split body can be found on
www.britishpathe.com/video/london-race-cars-on-show/query/allard
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NEWS EXTRA
MOTOSHINE, MOONEYES AND NGK JOIN
ALLARD CHRYSLER SPONSORS
We briefly mentioned some new sponsors in the last issue of ACAG Update but
I‟d like to give a few more details. Motoshine provide a specialist alloy polishing
service and have been the polishers of choice for many award winning show
vehicles since 2003. Operated by Ash Coupes and Claire Vize they have worked
with the media on a variety of project machines, and bikes and cars polished by
Motoshine are regularly featured in magazines. ACAG Chair Brian Taylor said,
„I have known Claire Vize for many years having provided automotive
aftermarket information to ph impetus, a highly respected automotive
management consultancy and business service provider developed by her father
John. In fact John sent me on my first overseas conference speaking assignment
addressing Ford of Europe Country Managers about a Fast-Fit concept.
We met up again at the drag strip
because Claire and Ash run their
350 Chevy powered Model T in
the Wild Bunch eliminations and
they kindly agreed to polish the
5-spoke mag rear wheels. We
were keen not to over-restore
them and Motoshine has done a
great job. We thank them for
that. All we need to do now is
paint the spokes red as per
photos of the car in its heyday
back in 1961‟.
Claire and Ash said,
"As drag racers ourselves, we are delighted to have been asked to work with
such an historic car - it is an iconic part of drag racing history and we're proud to
have been chosen to provide the polishing service for the Allard Chrysler
dragster."
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A famous name associated with the car back when it was built in 1961 is Dean
Moon and his company Mooneyes. The business supplied many of the parts used
in assembling the engine and Sydney Allard organised for the Mooneyes dragster
driven by Dante Duce to visit the UK in 1963 – the first American dragster to do
so.
Continuing
that
history,
Chico
Kodama
of
today‟s
Mooneyes
business was pleased to become
involved with the Allard restoration,
donating a Mooneyes fuel tank for
holding the pre-nitro switch-on
methanol carried on the team mobile
starter trolley. It was sent to the US
Automotive
assembly
point
in
Atlanta and loaded onto their next
shipment to Heathrow.
Another international brand joining our list of sponsors is NGK Spark Plugs. Brian
Childs of NGK is someone else I have known for many years and along with Tim
Howes has been keen to support our project for many months. They have been
waiting for my call for B7ES plugs and when the call went in the plugs winged
their way to Andy Robinson Race Cars and were installed in the engine.
The first set of plugs to be removed from the recreated engine since its first fire
up on July 1st 2012 has now been boxed and the set (with accreditation
certificate) is available as memorabilia to sensible bidders. All proceeds will go to
the restoration fund. Contact [email protected].
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Bob Walker of Hot Heads has
been helping out again by
supplying a couple of swan neck
fillers so we can complete our
head water cooling system. And
Edris Snipes of Hilborn has sent
us a F105 throttle arm. Access to
these websites is now available
via the links page on the ACAG
website www.allardchrysler.org.
SECOND IMI YOUTH DAY AT SANTA POD
Wednesday September 5th heralded the second Institute of the Motor Industry
(IMI) Youth Day at Santa Pod with coach loads of motor industry apprentices or
pre-school leavers looking at a career in the motor industry invited by Santa Pod
to attend a drag race meeting. For the majority it was their first exposure to
drag racing and fortunately the weather was fantastic. Santa Pod provided the
mid track VIP unit that acted as the focal point for the IMI with Emily Hakansson
IMI Careers Development Manager supported by Careers Development
Coordinators Joanna Hollingdale and Sarah Cunningham.
Drag racing‟s link with the IMI is based around the Institute adopting the
restoration of Sydney Allard‟s 1961 Allard Chrysler. The work has been featured
in a series of articles published in the IMI Magazine and is part of a strategy to
make motor industry apprenticeships even more exciting to young people. I was
joined by ACAG supporters Stuart Bradbury and Syd McDonald along with Robin
Jackson, and we acted as pit guides for groups of students. Syd also provided
food for the IMI staff who are all now on an immediate crash diet. The IMI is
organising its second drag racing RWYB at Santa Pod on September 29th. Photos
show one of the groups in the hospitality unit and getting close up and personal
with the two of the sport‟s top drivers – Chris Andrews and Micke Gullqvist. This
link takes you to a report published by one of the visiting groups.
www.carshalton.ac.uk/news/carshalton_college_attends_the_fia_european_drag
_racing_championship_events/ (photos; Brian Taylor and IMI)
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IMI INTRODUCE NEW HUBCAP PROGRAMME
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) announced the launch of a new online
resource and community for Careers and Academic Professionals, available
through the organisation‟s Autocity website www.autocity.org.uk. HUBcap is a
one stop shop for careers resources dealing with the retail motor industry and
forms a key part of the IMI‟s strategy to attract bright, young and enthusiastic
talent into the sector, which was laid out in their Manifesto earlier this year.
Created specifically for Academic Professionals and Careers Practitioners,
HUBcap features a comprehensive database of Key Fact Sheets covering the
opportunities available in different sub-sectors of the motor industry,
apprenticeship figures and Careers Labour Market Information broken down by
region. Forums are also available, giving access to a community where further
advice about motor industry careers can be obtained. As such, HUBcap aims to
become the go to website for careers practitioners looking for information about
motor industry careers.
Additionally, HUBcap is also the base for the IMI‟s free learning resources for
teachers, Headlight and Indicate, which are sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover.
Headlight is a Business and Enterprise resource mapped to the GCSE and B-Tech
curriculums while Indicate is a Key Stage 3 maths resource. Both contain full
lesson plans, student work books and suggested research material which cover
all key learning objectives, whilst also introducing students to the motor industry
and the opportunities available for future careers.
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Combined with Autocity‟s other resources, such as a motor industry careers
portal (World of Work) aimed at young people, HUBcap now ensures that the IMI
is able provide a comprehensive motor industry careers service covering all
stakeholders from teachers and careers advisors to school children and young
people studying motor vehicle qualifications.
The IMI‟s Head of Professional Development, Lesley Woolley said,
“For many, because of the poor public perception of the industry, the automotive
retail sector is not seen as a career of choice. Outdated perceptions among
careers advisors and teaching professionals perpetuate this view. The
automotive retail sector offers fulfilling and challenging careers not just a job,
but this message is still not understood by many young people, parents and
teachers. Through HUBcap we hope to change these perceptions, by giving
individuals who help guide young people in their career choices the necessary
tools to understand and promote the opportunities available in the Retail Motor
Industry.”
IMI MAGAZINE AND WINTER SHOWS
As already mentioned the Institute‟s own magazine has been covering the
restoration of the dragster. The latest double page spread features the car‟s first
fire-up since 1964 and its appearance at Dragstalgia. They will be organising
several evenings at colleges during the winter and we will keep you informed of
dates and venues.
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MORE SPONSORSHIP FROM F&A RACING
F&A‟s Chris Andrews and me along with photos of Chris in action. (source; Brian
Taylor and Mark Skinner)
Our major sponsor F&A Racing had a difficult start to the year but they managed
to get to all rounds of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship visiting
Sweden, Finland and Germany as well as the UK. They got down to a best
elapsed time of 4.12 seconds for the standing start 1000 foot strip recorded at
the European Finals held at Santa Pod Raceway in September. Not too dusty for
their first year. If you want to see a slow motion video of that 4.12 second run
go to www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v=4704490093929
They also managed to promise the ACAG a further sponsorship cheque – this
one for £5000. This fantastic source of funds and promotional support is crucial
to completing the restoration project. Thanks to all the F&A Racing Team for this
amazing sponsorship. This comes from the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu as
well as the Allard Chrysler Action Group.
32
ALLARD MOTORSPORTS
TO RECREATE J2R LE MANS SPORTS CAR
I‟m hearing that Alan and Lloyd Allard are looking to produce Allard sports cars
again in their Gloucester workshop. The plans are at an early stage and they are
looking for investors, but the J2R Le Mans is the model they want to recreate.
The engine will be a 331 cubic inch Cadillac V8 and Lloyd has already purchased
a couple of units.
They
are
currently
restoring a Mark II Palm
Beach that has the same
chassis and a jig has been
made to replicate this. If
you are interested in
receiving an investor‟s
pack let me know and I‟ll
put Lloyd in contact with
you. All photos Lloyd
Allard. Photos of a Le
Mans on the next page.
33
34
TRANSPORT TRUST AWARDS
The Transport Trust is the only national charity established to promote and
encourage the preservation and restoration of Britain‟s unique transport heritage
in all its forms – by air, land (road and rail) and water (sea and inland). It offers
Annual Restoration Awards specifically to assist preservation projects that are
underway but not completed.
I entered our restoration
project in this year‟s
competition so fingers
crossed
because
the
financial awards would be
very useful. The photo
was
taken
at
Andy
Robinson Race Cars and
shows Dr Colin Billington,
appointed
by
the
Transport Trust to review
our
entry,
and
Bob
Roberts of the ACAG.
Photo Brian Taylor.
GETTING OUT MORE
We are coming into the industry function season again and this year I have
decided to get out more and mix with the great and the good.
September 27th. Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, London. I spoke at
the Celebration of the life of industry Legend Ron Sewell. He was the man who
gave me my first full time writing job and set me on a course that has enabled
me to do this work. It was great to meet up with some of my industry
colleagues.
October 13 Beaulieu One Hundred Annual Dinner, National Motor Museum.
Invited to attend the first Annual Dinner for supporters of the National Motor
Museum, Beaulieu.
October 25th Fellowship of the Motor Industry Annual Luncheon, Seymour Hall,
London. Attending the annual luncheon of those who have long careers in the
motor industry.
December 6th Guild of Motoring Writers Annual Dinner, RAC Club, London.
Attending the Annual Awards Dinner of the Guild of Motoring Writers.
Well I had to buy a new dinner jacket so I might as well use it. But I purchased
my seniors‟ Railcard. Before we know it the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame
Awards will have come round again. Soon be time for the selector‟s meeting.
Just need a T-shirt and a hard hat for that.
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