1951 Allard K2 news, pictures, and information

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Roadster
Chassis Num: 91K1804

Sidney Herbert Allard built a reputation in England as a prominent builder of competitive racers. The Allard Motor Company was founded in 1946, though Sidney had been building and modifying vehicle since the mid 1930's. The post war automobiles were mostly powered by Ford flathead V8s and often fitted with Sidney's own intake manifolds and cylinder heads. His J2X Sports racers utilized the Cadillac and Chrysler OHV V8's continuing the traditional of American power in a British alloy body.

In the 1950 Tour of Sicily and the 24 Hours of LeMans, Allard entered a Cadillac powered J2 racer, finishing in third place. Impressive victories at Watkins Glen, Pebble Beach, Sebring, Monte Carlo and more followed, often providing podium finishes for its driver.

The K2 was introduced in 1950, following on the heals of the highly successful K1. Located in the front of the K2 was a front grille that borrowed heavily from a Healey. Large bumpers in the front aided in the event of a collision. There was seating for two and storage for a small amount of luggage. Under the hood could be found a variety of American V8 engines with the 3.6 liter Ford unit being standard. Mercury, Chrysler, and Cadillac were popular options. Production of the K2 continued until 1952 with 119 examples being produced.
The example shown is powered by a 331 cubic-inch Cadillac OHV V8 engine which produces 160 horsepower. It is equipped with a three-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. It sits atop a 106 inch wheelbase and is suspended in place by a Ballemy split axle semi-independent front suspension with deDion rear axle.

At the 2006 RM Auction in Monterey, CA it was expected to fetch $75,000 - $125,000. The lot was offered without reserve and sold for $107,250.

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Roadster
Chassis Num: 91K1846

This 1951 Allard K2 Roadster was offered for sale at the 2007 Sports and Classic Car Auction presented by The Worldwide Group, in Hilton Head Island, SC where it was estimated to sell for $80,000 - $100,000. It was part of a large collection, each being individually offered for sale without reserve. This car is powered by the correct 331 cubic-inch Cadillac OHV V8 engine which has an available 160 horsepower on tap. Also original is the three-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. It rests gently on a 106-inch wheelbase and is supported by a Ballemy split axle semi-independent front suspension with de Dion rear axle.

This car is finished in its original color of red with matching tan parchment leather interior with competition racing seats and five-point racing harness. It has been treated to a restoration since new.

Sydney Allard introduced the J1 just after the conclusion of World War II. They were powered by a 3.6-liter Ford V8 engine and mated to a three-speed manual gearbox. There were removable wings which could be replaced with cycle fenders which made it suitable for road or track use. Only twelve examples were ever produced.

The J1 was followed by the k1, a two-seater sports car that was produced in greater quantities and helped ensure the Allard Company's future. Following on the coat-tails of the J1 was the J2 which had a design similar to the J1. It was given several modern updates to help improve the cars performance and handling, including the replacement of the coil springs and live axle in favor of a deDion setup. The engine was moved farther back in the engine bay to better distribute the weight. Most were given Ford's side-valve V8 engine with a few being outfitted with a variety of other engines including Cadillac's pushrod V8 and Chrysler's Hemi V8.

The J2X was introduced the following year. It was basically a J2 but had its engine moved forward providing adequate cockpit room for its occupants. The final iterations of the J2 Series was the J2X LeMans and the JR; both were enclosed body vehicles.

The racing highlight for the J2 came in 1950 at the hands of Syndey Allard and Tom Cole. The J2 was driven to a First in Class and Third overall in the prestigious and grueling 24 Hours of LeMans race.

The K2 was introduced in 1950. It had a front grille that was very similar to the Healey. There were large bumpers in the front to help in the event of a front accident. Seating was for two with a small area suitable for 'some' luggage. American power could be found under the hood including the 3.6-liter Ford as standard. Mercury, Chrysler and Cadillac was popular options. Production of the K2 continued until 1952 with 119 examples created.

The rarity and pedigree of the Allard K2 is one of the many reasons these vehicles demand such a high sticker price at auction. They have performance, power, adn style. They are suitable for driving tours, vintage racing, concours's, and many other types of historical events.

On auction day this was one of the last vehicles to cross the auction block. It had an estimated value of 100,000 on the high end and carried no reserve. There was much interest in this car, and bidding reflected this desire. Bidding quickly surpassed the estimated value and finally settled at $121,000 including buyer's premium.

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Roadster

The idea of an English car with a big American engine was fairly novel in 1950. That year the British Allard Company launched the K2 model, which was the inspiration for Carroll Shelby's Cobra project. As with the earlier Allards, various American V8 engines were available. A 3.6-liter Ford-Mercury V8 engine with twin Solex carburetors was standard. The K2 stayed in production until 1952, and by then 119 examples had been built. This K2 spent all of its life in England until being purchased by its current owner in 2001. It has been driven enthusiastically on many trials and rallies in Europe and in the United States, and is still used regularly.

Restoration of the 1951 K2 Allard was completed in November 2007 by Michael Gassman of Gassman Automotive Products in Waynesboro, VA. This Allard was originally sold to Dr. John Gues of Birmingham, England, and spent the next 50 years there. It is equipped with a Mercury flathead engine and the correct engine for the English Allard. It participated in 11 European rallys for vintage cars between the years of 1985 to 2000, including six Claret & Classic rallys in the late 1980s, the Monte Caro Sestriere in 1989, the Rallye d'Alsace in 1991, the Liege-Rome-Liege in 2000, and the Coppa delle Alpi in January 1986 which it won. The signage on the car reflects its win of the Coppa delle Alpi, and it is shown with the original rally plate and winner's trophy.

The Allard was restored both as a concours car and as a rally car. The drive train was rebuilt to period-correct racing specifications including a complete overhaul of suspension and braking systems. The engine is a 255 cubic-inch, balanced and blueprinted, 1951 Mercury flathead with an Allard aluminum dual intake manifold, twin Stromberg 97 carburetors, and Offenhauser aluminum cylinder heads.

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Roadster
Chassis Num: 91K1985

The K1 Allard was introduced in 1946 and featured a Ballamy's front suspension, live rear axle, adn a box-section chassis. Mounted under the bonnet was Detroit (produced by Ford in England) power coming in either Ford 85-horsepower trim or the Mercury V8 version which was good for 95 horsepower. The car came as a roadster or as a limited eidtion long-wheelbase L1 with seating for four.

The J1 was a shorter and narrower version, introduced in 1947, was used in trials and sprints. The J1 evolved into the J2 in 1950. Among its improvements were a DeDion rear end on coil springs. They were clothed in aluminum-bodywork with cycle fenders and most were sent to the United States where they were fitted with their powerplants. Most were given a Cadillac OHV V8 engine, though Chrysler Hemi units were also popular.

The K1, in similar fashion, evolved into the K2. There would be a total of 90 J2s and 119 K2s produced during their lifespan.

This particular K2 was shipped on June 21st of 1951 and sent to a dealer in Dallas, Texas. Upon arrival, it received a Cadillac V8 engine which it has retained in modern times, though it now displaces 419 cubic-inches. In 1970, the car received a four-speed gearbox. The elegant vehicle rides on 16-inch Borrani aluminum wire wheels with period-type Dunlop racing tires.

During the 1990s, it was treated to a new layer of paint and chrome. The new leather interior is recent, completed during the mid 2000s. In 2007 it was brought to Carmel, California where it was offered for sale at Bonhams auction, An Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia. It had an estimated value of $100,000 - $120,000 but failed to find an interested buyer willing to satisfy the reserve. The lot was not sold.

Roadster

The year 1950 brought out an improved version of Sydney Allard's road-going K1 sports car. Logically designated the Allard K2, it retained a live rear axle with transverse leaf spring and a split front axle, now on twin coil springs instead of the single transverse leaf. Also new was a smoother, two/three-seat aluminum body with cut-down doors and a tail treatment not far removed from that of the Jaguar XK120.

From there forward, however, the K2 was its own car, sharing a style with nothing but other Allards. The front fenders were what some designers call the 'clamshell' type and carried flush headlights. The front bodysides, with three portholes a la Buick, joined to a rounded nose with a squarish, vertical-bar grille. Set well back from this was a small flat hood panel. Typical of Allard practice to-date, stamped-steel disc wheels were standard, and short bumpeettes protected the easily dented body front and rear.

Inside, the Allard K2 was fairly stark, yet more 'luxurious' than any previous two-seat Allards; it was more like the four-passenger L, M, and P models, with full instrumentation and a choice of right- or left-hand drive.

Allard built 119 Allard K2's through 1952, and 79 of them were sold in the United States. This K2 has been raced on numerous U.S. road courses.

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Roadster

This Allard K2 was shipped from London docks on June 21, 1951, bound for a dealer in Dallas, Texas. When delivered new to its customer, it was fitted with the Cadillac V8 it has today, though it's now enlarged to 419 cubic inches. A four-speed transmission was fitted in the 1970s. It has 16-inch Borrani aluminum wire wheels mounted with period-type Dunlop racing tires.

Restored in the 1990s, the car received new paint and chrome. It also has a complete new leather interior.

Source - The San Diego Collection

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