The George Phillips Special exhibited among a display of fellow XPAG Specials at MG LIve in 2016. Photo - JT
And in the Paddock at Donington in, I think, 2016 - Photo - JT
Simon Evans first raced with us back in 2015 with the George Phillips Special. It was actually a pretty faithful replica of the original, based on MG TC mechanicals, which no longer exists. Above and below are a few shots of this delightful little car.
In action in the combined Iconic50s/FISCAR race at MG Live in 2015. Photo - JT
Photographer unknown but a lovely shot taken at Donington possibly with the Masters in 2016. Alongside Simon is the Jonathan Abecassis Austin Healey 100/4 but the helmet suggests that it was Richard Woolmer driving, and I suspect he is lapping the older car!
Since it was a car very much based on mechanicals from the 1940s, it was slow compared to most of the cars that made up the grids of both the Iconic 50s and FISCAR grids and even more so if he wanted to enter any Masters or Woodcote Trophy races, so Simon soon decided that he wanted to be more competitive. However, in a move, I can only describe as going from the sublime to the ridiculous, Simon purchased an Allard J2 and decided he wanted to convert it to the ‘‘missing” J2X Le Mans. Simon has furnished quite a history of the J2 but I’ll let him take up the story in his own words from where it becomes a J2X, merely with the comment that I hope it does not prove to be too quick!
‘This car is a “tool room” copy of one of the missing car. Like the original it has an accurate copy of the J2X le Mans enveloping bodywork and is fitted with the Chrysler Hemi 331Ci 5.4litre V8 naturally aspirated by four twin-choke Rochester 2G carburetors on period cast alloy log manifolds mated to a Cadillac La Salle three-speed gearbox featuring a centre change and a single dry-plate clutch. The block is the early first generation 331 Hemi with extended bellhousing, made from 1951-53. The standard bore and stroke is 3.8125 x 3.625. ignition is by Vertex magneto and the exhaust manifold is fabricated tubular steel; four into one each side.
It has been recreated using a donor car providing original Allard chassis rails and other J2X specific parts collected over a twelve-year period by Dr. Jonathan Rose a recognised expert on Allards in general and the J2X Le Mans in particular; is
correct in every detail and indistinguishable from the original. The tyres are period-spec and measure 6.00 x16 inches on the front and 6.50 x 16 rear. The electrics are standard 12-volt. Fuel capacity is 17 gallons.
Subsequent to Le Mans and in true Allard style the works cars were refreshed and fitted with new engines and sold on to customers. Subsequent orders for these cars enabled a total number of eleven J2X Le Mans cars built, each specification bespoke to its new owner.
We believe that with this car now replacing the “lost one” that all eleven are now in existence. Of these three are in the UK.’
