Topic: Solved - NEH 197: Chris Bohman-bodied 1947 Ford (Allard?) Roadster Custom - 1953

[Otto Puzzell]

So the word "custom" got the point, or did the word "roadster"?

Yes, bit unsatisfactory.
Just something a bit more than 'Allard' to accurately describe that it wasn't a production car, plus the year.
That's exactly what it's described as on the 'Net.
The full description Allemano gave was straight off a website advertising the car For Sale in Salt Lake City.  I honestly thought you'd get it with the info you had so far (Googling 'Allard Roadster' would have got it I think) which is why I locked it for you.   You dipped out, which gave Allemano the chance to jump in using the info he'd seen and objected to.

Sorry Otto.  I can give you a point if you think you've earned it?  I'd be happy to do so.

I honestly did search 3 different all-Allard sites, and searched Google and Bing for "Allard Roadster" "Customized Allard" and even "Red Allard".

And the wink was an indication I was pulling your leg. I don't expect a point.

[Allemano]

To be honest: I don't expect a point either as I simply followed the (in the meantime removed) clue Carnut gave yesterday.

[Carnut]

To be honest: I don't expect a point either as I simply followed the (in the meantime removed) clue Carnut gave yesterday.

Somebody had to get it and you were the one who provided the full answer - ergo it's yours!
That'll teach me to be too helpful with clues!

[Paul Jaray]

1953 Bohman Special Built By Chris Bohman in 1953 And Used In The 1954 Movie "Johnny Dark."

[Otto Puzzell]

It's certainly gone through some changes...

[Paul Jaray]

A quite reliable source calls it "Ford-based" sportster, built around 1951.

[Otto Puzzell]

A quite reliable source calls it "Ford-based" sportster, built around 1951.

That's right. Recent developments indicate this car's only Allard connection is a physical resemblance.

[Carnut]

A quite reliable source calls it "Ford-based" sportster, built around 1951.

That's right. Recent developments indicate this car's only Allard connection is a physical resemblance.

I seem to recall it had an Allard badge on the nose that I painted out..
I'd better change the title then?

[Otto Puzzell]

I think so.

The current owner, after having the cars lineage reviewed by an expert, removed the badge from the actual car.

[gte4289]

A quite reliable source calls it "Ford-based" sportster, built around 1951.

That's right. Recent developments indicate this car's only Allard connection is a physical resemblance.

I seem to recall it had an Allard badge on the nose that I painted out..
I'd better change the title then?

I think so.

The current owner, after having the cars lineage reviewed by an expert, removed the badge from the actual car.

There is no Allard connection.

Name: 'Bohman Special' (In the 1954 film Johnny Dark, a race announcer refers to the car as the 'Tiger Special,' entered by Cannon Engineering and driven by Phil Hill.)

Year Built: 1953

Builder: Lawrence Christian 'Chris' Bohman, son of Christian 'Chris' Bohman, co-founder of coachbuilder Bohman & Schwartz

Frame: Modified Ford frame, with engine set back several inches

Suspension: Coil springs with transverse leaf spring front and rear; torsion bars from mid-frame to Ford banjo rear axle; ladder bars from mid-frame to dropped Ford I-beam front axle

Engine (as of 1971): 1953 Buick Nailhead V8, Offenhauser tri-power intake manifold, finned aluminum valve covers

History
1953: Built by Chris Bohman.
1953: Filmed at the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport Labor Day Races, as well as additional scenes at Lake Tahoe, Reno, and Carson City.
1954: Appeared (as filmed above) in Johnny Dark.
1954: Advertised for sale by Bohman (with photo) in Motor Trend magazine, March issue, page 73 (see below).
19??: Owned by Joseph A. Lunney.
1970: Sold by Lunney to Mark Bravo.
1971: College student Tom Sawyer and two roommates rented a property in North Las Vegas (owned by Bravo) and discovered the car in pieces on the rear patio. Sawyer purchased the car from Bravo and reassembled it. The car wore an Allard badge at the time and was sold as a 'Homemade Allard Race Car.'
1975: Disassembled and 'restored' by Sawyer (now located in Salt Lake City, Utah). Painted red; wire wheels, side pipes and custom grill added (as shown in puzzle photo).
2011: Sawyer planned to return the car back to Johnny Dark configuration.
2020: ?