The story of the Allard Chrysler Action Group began in 2006 when Guild of Motoring Writers member Brian Taylor started to visit the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu's library while researching his book Crazy Horses - The History of British Drag Racing.
Brian says "I was of course aware that the car had ended up at Beaulieu, but it was during my visits to the library while researching the book, particularly my lunch time strolls through the main hall, that the idea to bring it back to life began to grow. I had been interviewing several people, including Sydney's son Alan, and I thought how sad it was that underneath the bonnet there were now none of the important parts, although the basic chassis and body were in excellent condition.
"Before approaching the museum about any views they might have about getting the car back into working order, I spoke to a few of my drag racing contacts to seek their thoughts on the practicalities and possibilities of such a project. Obviously I spoke to Alan Allard, his sons Lloyd and Gavin to get their support.
"But I also spoke to some American contacts such as Carl Olson of SFI Foundation - a former drag racer, NHRA Vice President and FIA Drag Racing supremo for many years. He thought the Americans would love to see the car at one of their nostalgia meets because it would be one of the oldest working 'original' dragsters anywhere in the world.
"I contacted Lord Montagu as a fellow member of the Guild of Motoring Writers with the idea and he passed on my details to the Museum Manager and Chief Engineer Doug Hill with his blessing. Doug's view is that the best way of preserving these machines is to keep them in working order so he was keen.
"Clearly I now needed more help from the drag racing fraternity. I decided to form the Allard Chrysler Action Group (ACAG) to assemble people from the sport with enthusiasm for the project along with useful knowledge and skills, and who were willing (if necessary) to put their hands in their pocket to the tune of between £50 and £100 each to get the project off the ground. We then started on the lengthy process of getting a proposal together for the Museum Advisory Council to present to the Trustees."
Brian started an ACAG blog on the Acceleration Archive website and this generated considerable interest. The blog has now been incorporated into the ACAG website.
ACAG are always looking to welcome new members so if you would like to join this elite band of nostalgia nuts click here.
http://www.allardchrysler.org/
Brian says "I was of course aware that the car had ended up at Beaulieu, but it was during my visits to the library while researching the book, particularly my lunch time strolls through the main hall, that the idea to bring it back to life began to grow. I had been interviewing several people, including Sydney's son Alan, and I thought how sad it was that underneath the bonnet there were now none of the important parts, although the basic chassis and body were in excellent condition.
"Before approaching the museum about any views they might have about getting the car back into working order, I spoke to a few of my drag racing contacts to seek their thoughts on the practicalities and possibilities of such a project. Obviously I spoke to Alan Allard, his sons Lloyd and Gavin to get their support.
"But I also spoke to some American contacts such as Carl Olson of SFI Foundation - a former drag racer, NHRA Vice President and FIA Drag Racing supremo for many years. He thought the Americans would love to see the car at one of their nostalgia meets because it would be one of the oldest working 'original' dragsters anywhere in the world.
"I contacted Lord Montagu as a fellow member of the Guild of Motoring Writers with the idea and he passed on my details to the Museum Manager and Chief Engineer Doug Hill with his blessing. Doug's view is that the best way of preserving these machines is to keep them in working order so he was keen.
"Clearly I now needed more help from the drag racing fraternity. I decided to form the Allard Chrysler Action Group (ACAG) to assemble people from the sport with enthusiasm for the project along with useful knowledge and skills, and who were willing (if necessary) to put their hands in their pocket to the tune of between £50 and £100 each to get the project off the ground. We then started on the lengthy process of getting a proposal together for the Museum Advisory Council to present to the Trustees."
Brian started an ACAG blog on the Acceleration Archive website and this generated considerable interest. The blog has now been incorporated into the ACAG website.
ACAG are always looking to welcome new members so if you would like to join this elite band of nostalgia nuts click here.
http://www.allardchrysler.org/
