1948 Allard L-Type Four-Seater

In the 1930s, Sydney Allard built a dozen Ford-based specials for British competitions. Some had Lincoln engines and many were fitted with a split-axle independent front suspension developed by Leslie Ballamy. During World War II, his London-based garage named 'Adlards, Ltd.,' rebuilt Ford vehicles for British forces. After the War, there were plenty of engines and parts available but no government contracts. So he introduced the Allard K1, a two-seater on a box-section frame with transverse leaf springing and Ballamy's IFS front axle. Power was sourced from either Ford or Mercury flathead V-8 power. The K1 Model offered power and performance; customers who were seating for four occupants could purchase the L-Type.

Allard introduced a shortened version of the K1 in 1947, called the J1, along with a four-seater, the M1. The J1 was intended for sprints and trials. The J2 soon followed; it was an updated version of the J1 with a DeDion rear axle on coil springs and radius arms. In 1950, a works J2 finished third at Lemans. 90 examples were built and most were exported to the United States, with Cadillac or Chrysler engines fitted on arrival. Production of the L-Type continued until February of 1950 with most being built prior to 1949.

This particular example was dispatched from the factory on December 2nd of 1948, and consigned to Cardiff, Wales. A short time later, it was registered ETH88 in Carmerthen. This right-hand drive example is believed to have come to the United States after 1994.

This L-Type is finished in Burgundy and upholstered in gray leather with a matching tonneau cover, top, and side curtains. It has Wilton wool carpets and a dashboard made from Indian rosewood. It has Lucas fog lights, a rear-mounted spare with cover, color-keyed steel wheels, and whitewall tires. There is a modern horn under the hood, concealed turn signals, and lap seat belts - all modern safety additions.

Power is from a British 21-stud version of the 221 cubic-inch Ford flathead V-8 mated to a three-speed manual transmission with a remote floor shifter.

It is believed that fewer than 200 examples of the L-Type Allards were built with just 19 said to survive, seven of them in the United States.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2015