5,738 cc Chevrolet OHV V-8 engine, four-seed manual gearbox, torsion bar independent front suspension, coil spring independent rear suspension, four-wheel hydraulic brakes, vented discs front and vented drums rear. Wheelbase: 102"

- A highly accurate replica and prototype for Hardy Motors J2X reproductions

- Strong Chevrolet 5.70-litre V-8 power

The car presented here is one of the finest J2X replicas ever built, recognised by the Allard Registry and believed to be one of the only right-hand drive cars in existence. Built to this faithful specification by Neil Hardy, this fabulous J2X replica is the very first toolroom example, a hand-built prototype designed by engineer Carl Wade for the later left-hand drive cars sold in the 1990s by Hardy Motors. It is believed to have been finished two years before Neil Hardy purchased a California-based project to reproduce left-hand drive cars.

This car took many years to engineer. It uses a ladder-frame chassis with a torsion bar front end. The wheels have cycle wings, supported from the chassis with the rear body work. The engine fitted is an awesome 5.7-litre Chevrolet V-8 with Edelbrock performance heads, Comp Cams high-torque camshaft, Edelbrock race manifold package, four-choke carburettor, big bore heat-wrapped headers and a tuned side-exit exhaust. The attention to detail is extraordinary, with the body mould painstakingly taken from an original barn-find J2X found by Hardy. The interior, finished in burgundy oxblood cross-stitched diamond pattern upholstery, is simply stunning. The machine-turned dashboard has wonderful retro-look gauges; a rare original Bluemels spring-rim steering wheel completes the authentic cockpit motif. This J2X recreation has a re-engineered, full set of wet-weather equipment, including a separate wind screen and wipers, that can be bolted on quite easily should a trip in the rain be necessary.

The registration number J2X AL, included with the car, is the actual DVLA-registered number and was assigned to this very special Allard as a celebration of the first right-hand drive continuation car to be produced. It comes with a full 12-month MoT. Since recent acquisition, it has undergone extensive re-commissioning by the current importer of the new Montréal-built J2X Mark II. The engine was removed and the car was partially re-wired and given upgrades to deliver exceptional driveability with reliability. Set up has included a recent session with ATSPEED Racing Rolling Road Tuning Centre and subsequent fitting of full Willans FIA-approved harnesses to ensure safety and comfort.

The car is a joy to drive. With wind protection from the Brooklands-style aero screens, it delivers open-air motoring and brutal acceleration as in the original.