61 The decision to “let it go” (an euphemism for “ get rid of the darn thing”) – became final the day its flywheel came lose. The flywheel , about 16” inch diameter and quite heavy, is attached to the crankshaft by a taper and key. Apparently the big retaining nut had not been properly tightened and fretting had begun. Finally the key sheered and the nut loosened - allowing the flywheel, with its saw-like ring gear teeth to fall free. I am guessing that this occurred at something a little over 2000 rpm = 30 mph. Once free, the spinning flywheel assembly then began to rattle loudly in the cooling air ducting on its attempted mission to saw through the plywood at back of my wife's seat. She alerted me that something bad was probably happening (she has better ears than I do) and suggested somewhat urgently that I come to a stop. I was in fact already slowing. My wife, fearing for her life exited the vehicle even before it had stopped. I pointed out to her later when she stopped shaking, that the flywheel never did penetrate the seat! But she was never comfortable in the car after that. This all took place in Feltham, Middlesex, England in 1959 - I was stationed at the REME Repair depot there. Like I said, I was free of the Allard and now had a motorbike. The guy (bloke) who took the Allard told me he was going to beef up the frame and put a Triumph twin where the Villiers had been- and as he had a garage to work in and welding equipment etc., I believed he could/would have done it successfully. We never heard from him or saw the vehicle again. It would have been a neat car if it had been developed it a little more. Yes it was slow - but so is most of the traffic in England in the late 1950s was also slow and I never (except on steep hills) felt threatened. All that was needed was to drive it as you would a cheap motorbike, like one of those ex-para James ML 125cc type (the ones they threw out of airplanes along with paratroops). You had to use the gear box for all it was worth. Best wishes. Keep the history going. Alan Masson CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
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