His Singleton district backyard and sheds are testimony to his dedicated work with two beautifully-restored hot rods taking pride of place and Allan keen to show off his next projects – a sprint car and various racing cars all waiting for his attention.

Allan started his racing career in the early 1970s and when he started working for John Smith in his panel beating workshop he used to help Mr Smith race his cars and also drive his cars.

He drove hot rods and super modified cars with photographs and newspaper clippings of the time showing a lean, long-haired Allan pictured with 

trophies in front of various race cars, two of which he has now completely restored.

Having retired from racing in the 1990s, Allan now spends his time on restoration work and taking the gleaming “beauties” on demonstration displays throughout the state.

He is a member of the Vintage Modified Association of NSW and the Vintage Speedcar Association of NSW. 

Both organisations arrange regular displays of the restored cars and getting back in his racing gear and driving the cars is something Allan really enjoys.

“We have members who weren’t race drivers but have restored the cars and they tend to drive around the circuits in a steady manner whereas former 

drivers like me can’t help ourselves and we tend to drive like we did during our heyday,” Allan joked.

“We have a great time getting back into the cars.

“The only drawback is the cars start the day gleaming and usually return home pretty dirty.”

Allan was crowned 1983 and 1984 NSW Hot Rod champion driver and in ’84 was runner-up national champion.

He was supported in his racing career by many local businesses and his restored cars carry the full insignia of the racing era.

As luck would have it, the two cars he once owned, raced and has now restored were located in the Hunter Valley – one on a farm at Glennies Creek.

“It required a backhoe to get the chassis out but the body was stored in a shed,” he said.

Allan estimates it takes him three years to fully restore a car because he has to rebuild them and then pull them fully apart so they can be painted.

“You have to rebuild them to make sure everything fits together and works and then undo all that work so they can be painted – it really is a labour of love,” he said.

To be considered vintage, the cars have to be more than 30 years old. 

The second car he has fully-restored was the one he drove when he won his state titles and it was located in Newcastle. 

Both cars required an engine – Chev 350 and a gearbox because that’s the two valuable items when people go to scrap them, Allan said.

“Once they are restored people love to see them racing again,” he said.

And driving the restored cars has become a family hobby with Allan’s wife Marie and their daughters Tina and Samantha all keen to hop in and give the engine a few revs and a spin round the tracks.

Allan’s next project is to restore is former sprint car and then no doubt he will find some more racers that are in need of his care and attention.