Heart of a HEMI Soul of a Brit

New HEMI®-powered Allard J2X MkII evokes the spirit of the original Allard British competition roadster.

Words: Ross Ruehle

Serial number 001 passes through Detroit on its way to Arizona

Yeah, it’s got a HEMI.®

You’re looking at a brand-new Allard J2X MkII. Serial number 001. How is this possible, you may ask. After all, only 83 Allard J2X models were produced by the Allard Motor Company between 1951 and 1954.

Roger Allard, president of the Allard Motor Works made it possible. For the better part of the past decade, Allard has been faithfully recreating a modern version of the iconic British competition roadster. Late last summer, Allard was trailering 001 from the company’s headquarters in Montreal to the owner of the very first J2X MkII in Sedona, Ariz. Under beautiful late summer skies one day during this trip, Allard was kind enough to stop by our editorial shop and give us a first-hand peak—and test drive—of his creation.

Our first question was a natural one: What relation is Roger Allard to Syndey Allard, founder of the Allard Motor Company in 1936? That brings us to Interesting Twist Number One: There is none. Or as Allard likes to tell it, “Oh, if you go back to the 1600s, there has to be some DNA connection there somewhere.” But his point is he’s no relation to the immediate Allard family. Basically he’s a car guy who happens to have a last name of Allard.

A little history is in order for you to understand how this particular car—which has all the British charm of a misty morning in the Moors—ended up with an American flamethrower under the hood. The original Allard Motor Company never made its own engines. Rather it successfully integrated American V8 powerplants into its products. Factory cars of the day usually came equipped with a Ford-Mercury Flathead. But it was the 331 cid Cadillac and the 331 HEMI Firepower that made the car’s exploits legendary.

To stay true to the original brand, today’s Allard J2X MkII can be ordered with a 5.7L HEMI, a GM RamJet or a Cadillac Northstar. This brings us to Interesting Twist Number Two: Number 001 does have a HEMI, but it’s not the 5.7L. This particular customer insisted on the 6.1L HEMI, an option Allard offers, but actually considers too much engine for this car. Let’s put it this way: Drop a tool under the hood and it’s not likely to hit the ground.

Horsepower: 600. Curb Weight: About 2,300 pounds. You do the math. Forget the math, just hang on. Our brief test drive revealed gobs of power and torque, but plenty of class at the corners thanks to years of chassis development.

Yeah, it’s got a HEMI.

Make no mistake, this is no kit car. The Allard J2X MkII is a hand-crafted recreation of the original classic. “Our limited production recreation of the classic British competition roadster is recognized by the Allard Registry, which provides our J2Xs with special serial numbers and a place in the registry,” Allard says.

And Allard means “limited.” No more than 100 cars will be produced a year. “I don’t want to see these on every corner,” he said. North American production will be handled at a plant in Champlain, N.Y., while those bound overseas will be constructed at the company’s headquarters in Montreal.

Let’s take a brief tour:

The Cockpit

Ever been in an open-air British roadster? Functionality and minimalism are good words. Cramped and miserable are better words. But Allard has injected comfort into the equation with a stretched cockpit, wider footboxes and adjustable seats. High quality leather, carpet and other accoutrements provide both driver and passenger with the ultimate roadster experience. A walnut or mahogany steering wheel, engraved door sills and a jeweled aluminum dash add to the intrigue.

Chassis/Engine

The chassis for the J2X MkII was developed using Computer Aided Design (CAD) for safety reliability and performance. The steel tubular structure includes a number of safety features within the performance platform, including double roll bars inside the cowling and around the fuel tank, steel yokes around the drive shaft universal joints, a steel floor structure, side impact bars in the doors, energy absorption zones, a collapsible steering column, and 5-mph bumpers.

This well-designed chassis, combined with a low center of gravity and perfect (50/50) weight distributions gives the J2X MkII the ability to put the HEMI’s 600 ponies to the ground in an exhilarating, yet comfortable way.

Body

Faithful to the original look, the new J2X is difficult to distinguish from its predecessor. With a show-quality finish on a composite body, the hand-crafted J2X MkII sports a fully functional louvered metal alloy hood held in place at speed with the two traditional leather straps and well-hidden remotely operated safety latch. The trunk is large enough to handle two sets of golf clubs.

To maintain the period look, Allard said non-metallic paints are used, including the obligatory British Racing Green, and what he calls “Testosterone-Charged Red” among others. Exterior colors were carefully matched with premium leathers to deliver the look of classic beauty.

Points West

As the afternoon wound down, it was time for Allard to saddle up and head west so he could deliver 001 to its rightful owner. Heart of a HEMI, soul of a Brit. It’s a unique combination that does its predecessor proud. When Allard fired the J2X MkII to put it back in the trailer, he goosed the gas one last time.

Yeah, it’s got a HEMI.

Fast Fact

For more information about the all-new Allard J2X MkII, visit www.allardj2x.com or call 877-J2X-1953.