Allard J2X: Then and Now

[@rodalexander5666]

I am proud to say I had the pleasure of riding in one of the originals back when I was between eight or nine years old. In Studio City, CA there was a used car dealer that specialized in foreign cars, and it happened to be a place where affectionado's of cars gathered in the evening. It was operated by a man called Gene Klein, who a few years later was fortunate enough to become the US distributor for Volvo. My dad was in the car business and he would some evenings take me to the dealership. Klein trusted my dad, so I was fortunate that he allowed him to take me for short rides around the neighborhood is some memorable cars. I can recall a Riley convertable, an XK120, a Sunbeam Alpine, and so on. One evening a man was there with a red Cad-Allard J2X. His name was Oliver Wallace, and he was the guy who composed all the music for Disney pictures. Mr. Wallace was kind enough to give this little boy the thrill of his life by taking him for a short drive around Studio City in this thrilling and powerful car with sounds to match. Years later I happened to watch Phil Hill race one, and win, at Laguna Seca during the time that the Concourse de Elegance takes place over in Pebble. I don't believe it was the Wallace car, although it was red.

[@throughmyeyes9940]

You were a lucky kid, WOW!

[@chopsticksmaster6543]

The reason why I always tune in is to see your smile as you are driving down the road, you truly love automobiles

[@marktheballamyfordbloke]

Great test Donald ! Like the other best things in life, Allards appeal to the heart not the head. Not just the epic J2s with a Cadillac V8 but also the L-type and M-type tourers, K-type full-bodied 2-seaters, and the bonkers P2 saloon which won the 1952 Monte Carlo rally. Any of those Allards with a tweaked Mercury flathead give huge fun without huge money. Here in the UK and Europe, Allard J2s and J2Xs still appear near the front of historic races at tracks like Goodwood and Monaco. It looks more like wrestling than driving, but with the added satisfaction of beating exotic Italian sportscars that cost 10x. Gotta love 'em.

[@flibbertygibbets]

P2 saloon?

[@richdurbin6146]

I'm really digging Donald's greatcoat here. Classy look.

[@gustavoflorio5383]

What a privilege it is to have, in just one video, TWO completely different looks from Donald!

[@albertseabra9226]

Allards are Indeed fabulous. Most European races in the 50s and 60s used to feature different Allard models. Browsing through old car magazines is quite a thrill. However, watching today this great video was rather gratifying -- an Allard in the flesh, being driven by a real car guy. Thank you for your pertinent comments about a fantastic car -- no empty mambo jambo...

[@melvinburwell8202]

Wow. These are cars very seldom seen. Only on the collector channels. A man's car. The ultimate British roadster. Nothing looks like these. A Hybrid with American engine and English chassis/ body. Magnificent again Mr. Osborne. Woohoo. The thrill.👍👍😎🤗❤️💜💛💚💖

[@Tzhz]

Always good to see Americans driving these. My grandad was Sydneys 1st cousin and used to test drive these when he came down from London. We also have a 1949 K1 Type. The correct pronunciation of Allard is "AL-ARD" (like hard without the H.

[@user-xt7rs8md7p]

Enjoyed learning about this car at Watkins Glen International Raceway yesterday!

[@paullazarro4295]

Donald, your broad smile says it all !

[@kevinmurphy5506]

Don, your aprecciation and knowledge of automovtives and articultion is deeply enjoyed. As well as your smile and laughter prove that it can be entertaing and enjoyable. also.

[@rafflesnow]

Carroll Shelby would have gotten a kick out of this modern day Allard!

[@gerarddion4859]

What a great classic! Thank you for the review!

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

How Fun! And from our favorite docent!

[@mooslionheart]

Donald very well done driving as “one of the luckiest sons of gun on the planet … wooo hoo!” Keeping the Allard on the center line of that single track country lane was a handful!

[@TheBTG88]

Love to see the classic white Saab 900 convertible crossing the intersection at 7:57!

[@neoclassic09]

it's cool to see how excited Donald really is about cars and their history and provenance

[@mihan5660]

I remember reading about Allards in a clive cussler book. So great to see one in action

[@stephenhenion8304]

I read all about Allards in Road and Track magazine. I would see them for sale in Hemmings Motor News.... then in the 80s I saw them at Lime Rock in action!! Considering how few were made, they seemed to be everywhere!!

[@MrKdr500]

A good friend of mine Graham Smith made a very good living out of building replicas in Australia and most of them were sold to the USA. every year he gets flown to Laguna Seca race track for a week long race event featuring a lot of the cars he made.

[@bicyclist2]

Very cool car. I hope to own one some day. Anyone else notice the white Alfa coming the other way at 11:49? Thanks.

[@donaldwiller9238]

Great video. You are so lucky to Drive these cars 🚗

[@neilperry2224]

One of favourite classics that I'd love to own but I can't afford to even look at one. It would have to be Caddy power for me

[@jamesmisener3006]

A 2019 that delivers a real vintage experience. I doubt that's in the brochure. Looks and sounds great. But will it do a burnout? I'am sure it will! Cheers 🇨🇦

[@davemeshamsr6000]

Sounds nice but what gear do u seem to be stuck in

[@reelreeler8778]

That old Allard looks like it could be a handful

[@tomjoseph1444]

Seems to me that there was a kit car of the JX made in Hemet CA years ago. It would be a nice alternative to those of us who are not millionaires.

[@davemeshamsr6000]

What year is that

[@rogerallard296]

J2X was 1951-1954. Only 83 were built. Some were the LeMans version with closed bodies to comply with FIA regulations.

[@alanrogers7090]

This car was one of many Owned by the fictional character, Dirk Pitt, who was created by the late author, Clive Cussler, who collected cars in real life. I don't know if Cussler had this car in his collection, but his character, Pitt, had many of the same cars in hs fictional collection.

[@gavinallard9752]

A great video beautifully put together. Just a general note. As historian of the Allard marque and grandson to Sydney I can say almost all ‘replica’ or ‘rethought’ Allards past or present did not and do not have official Allard sanction. My brother holds the rights and trademarks. As per my new book Allard Motor Company - The Records and Beyond only JR 3408 is a sanctioned car not built by the Allard Motor Company between 1946 to 1959 but built by my brother. The newer car you show is well built but I hold the factory records, the Allard Register can accept the car but they don’t represent the family. Just incase people think we have disappeared years ago we have not, the family have spoken. Can be somewhat grating to see others use your name and historic photos, what shall not be used is my records. Buyer beware., do your research.

[@davemeshamsr6000]

Nice large steering wheel

[@John_Duke_Wayne]

John Wayne Approved

[@davemeshamsr6000]

Is that a new car?

[@gustavoflorio5383]

Second one is. 2019.

[@rogerallard296]

First car shown is the original. The second part of the video is the Alllard Motor Works J2X MkIII - a totally modern version with all of the performance gear for reliability, safety and comfort.

[@johndavey72]

Good evening Donald. Is your driving always dictated by the filmcrew or can you just give it some wellie when no ones looking ...........👿👿 Thanks Dennis .

[@facelikedog]

If you don't stop smiling Donny, you're gonna get bugs on your teeth.

[@throughmyeyes9940]

Allard was WAY ahead of Shelby

[@tremortech]

Where do you think Shelby got the idea?

[@gavinallard9752]

Shelby drove for Allard in 54 in a J2x and directly attributes to the AC Cobra idea . Gavin Allard

[@adoreslaurel]

Changing the wheels to something considered "Modern" would look rediculous on a car like this.

[@pelicanlover69]

My only thought, why was it not in British Racing Green?

[@gustavoflorio5383]

Red is their heritage color. Why red? I couldn't find 😅

[@Tzhz]

@gustavoflorio5383 actually green is (I'm a relative of Sydney Allard, he's my grandads first cousin)

[@rogerallard296]

Most J2Xs were shipped without paint or engine. They were then fitted with either the 331 Hemi or the 331 Cadillac. There were two Buicks and two Olds engines in the J2X. Carroll Shelby’s was red, as so many others.