Hagerty has announced that the iconic 1963 SEMA Trophy has been restored and was returned to its rightful owner. The 1963 SEMA Trophy, which was lost for 30 years, was created by the SEMA organization in recognition of Briton Sydney Allard's 1963 battle with Dante Duce. Sydney was driving the Allard Chrysler, Europe's first dragster which was built in 1961/1962.
The 1963 SEMA Trophy will be displayed at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu alongside the Allard Chrysler dragster. ACAG is planning to organize a fund-raising campaign to restore the legendary drag racer.
Hagerty Press Release:
An iconic motorsports trophy, ‘lost’ for over 30 years, was returned to its rightful home in a presentation at the Goodwood Revival last weekend.
Classic and collector car insurance specialist Hagerty played host to the first official appearance of the recently restored 1963 SEMA Trophy, with the imposing award unveiled by Chairman of the
Allard Chrysler Action Group (ACAG), Brian Taylor, alongside Hagerty Chief Executive McKeel Hagerty.
The trophy was created by the SEMA organisation in the USA in recognition of Briton Sydney Allard’s 1963 battle with Dante Duce - a keen hot-rodder from Las Vegas - who was convinced he could beat the Allard Chrysler, Europe’s first dragster, built for Allard in 1961/1962.
The trophy was subsequently donated by Sydney’s son Alan to the British Drag Racing & Hot Rod Association in 1970, before being given for safe
keeping to the Brighton & Hove Motor Club by subsequent three-time trophy winner Dennis Priddle and his sponsor Brian Glockler, where it remained hidden and forgotten for over 30 years before being discovered by Brian Taylor and the ACAG earlier this year.
The trophy will now be displayed with the Allard Chrysler dragster at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, whilst the ACAG orchestrates continuing fund-raising for the faithful restoration of the legendary drag racer.
Marcus Atkinson, Marketing Director of Hagerty’s UK operation based at Silverstone, commented, “We were delighted to host this iconic car and its reunion with the SEMA trophy after so many years.”
