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The Allard-Chrysler dragster — Britain’s first drag racing car built in 1961 by British auto industrialist Sydney Allard — was unveiled publicly as a running vehicle on July 14, 2012 at the Dragstalgia event at Santa Pod Raceway in Northamptonshire, Great Britain.
The event was the culmination of over 4-1/2 years of hard work by the Allard-Chrysler Action Group (ACAG) on “Allie” (as she is affectionately known). The Allard-Chrysler has been displayed without an engine at the renowned National Motor Museum, Beaulieu which is located near Southampton, southwest of London. The car has been in the Museum’s collection since being bequeathed to the Museum by the estate of Brian Golder, who had partially restored the car.
In 2008, the ACAG organization began discussions with the Museum’s management to finish the restoration with a period correct, blown Chrysler 354 inch engine, using the Potvin blower drive similar to the original. The Museum gave ACAG the approval to proceed with the project, following presentation of a detailed plan of action, which included the ability of the car to make periodic appearances outside the Museum, and be “cackled.”
The Quarter Mile Foundation was approached by the ACAG team to assist in locating an engine suitable for the car, as well as assisting in locating period correct components. The engine was located at the Booth-Arons shop in Berkley, Michigan, who did the entire engine build and mounting of the blower and the Potvin drive unit.
The engine was shipped to Britain in late 2011, and installed in the car in early 2012. Following the usual parts chases to get the engine correctly installed and plumbed; the engine was first fired at the shops of Andy Robinson Race Cars on July 1.
For additional information about the Allard-Chrysler Action Group and the restoration of Allie, visit the ACAG website at http://www.theaccelerationarchive.co.uk/acag/acag.html.