1947 Allard K1

Sydney Allard was a man of many talents. He was a charismatic designer, hill climber, racing driver, and 'special builder.' He formed the Allard Motor Company in 1945 and many of his cars that left his factory were equipped with large-capacity American V8 engines installed in relatively lightweight fabricated chassis and bodies. The formula relied on proven and race-bred technologies with a high power-to-weight ratio.

Prior to the formation of his company, Allard constructed a pre-war trials special using a crashed Ford V8 coupe fitted with the body of a Grand Prix Bugatti. After World War II came to a close, Allard quickly progressed from a builder of racing specials to a motor manufacturer, employing the favorable mechanical characteristics of his first trials special of the mid-1930s to establish an enviable competition record in the immediate post-war era. Among the accolades was a 3rd place finish at the LeMans in a J2 sports racer (driven by Sydney himself) and winning outright at the Monte Carlo Rally in a P-Type saloon.

In 1946, production of the Allard K1 began, and ultimately 151 examples were built. It was Allard's first post-war car, and much of its inspiration was sourced from the pre-War J1. The frame was based around the Ford 'L-Head' V8 and associated running gear, and comprised of stamped-steel channel sections by Thomson's of Wolverton. The side rails and cross members were designed to accommodate the transverse leaf springing and Ballamy's IFS front axle. Power was from either a Mercury flathead or Ford V8.

The Allard K1 had a 106-inch wheelbase and seating for two occupants while a longer wheelbase version, called the L1, had seating for four. Production began in 1946 and continued through 1948. The K1 was never intended for export and was offered solely in Scotland and England. They had a right-hand-drive configuration and a list price of 850 English Pounds.

Allard vehicles were powerful and torquey hand-built British cars with American mechanical components. They were relatively inexpensive, easy to maintain, and very usable.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

Between 1946 and 1959, Sydney Allard produced 1,900 cars. Most of these were family cars for the domestic market.

In 1946, Sir Sydney Allard launched his K1 Roadster using a stockpile of engines and parts not needed for the war effort. He produced just 151 of these cars during the next three years at the Chapham Works in London. Only 21 still exist worldwide with 11 residing in the United States. The K1 was never intended for export and was offered only in England and Scotland. These right-hand drive cars were equipped with a 1937-1938 Ford flat-head V8, producing 85 horsepower and capable of pushing the 2,460-pound car to 86 mph. The list price for the car was 850 English Pounds. Around 1980, this roadster was disassembled and shipped to the United States as 'car parts.' Around 15 years later, the 17 boxes were rescued from a warehouse and a three-year restoration occurred.

This example is one of the first cars produced and is quite possibly the oldest surviving Allard in existence.

Owners supplied their own engines for these cars. This car's power is supplied by a 239 cubic-inch British Ford flathead that develops 85 horsepower. The car has been restored to its as-original specifications. It has its original, as-delivered drive train and its convertible top.

Roadster

The K1 was never intended for export and was offered only in the United Kingdom. This Allard was delivered new to Ireland in 1949. The second owner brought it to the United States in 1980. The current owner acquired it in 1998. A complete restoration was completed in 1999.

The K1 roadster had been launched in 1946 by Sidney Allard, using a stockpile of engines and parts not needed for the war effort. He produced only 151 of these cars during the next three years at the Chapham Works in London. Only 21 model K-1 Allards still exist worldwide - 11 in the United States.

The cars were equipped with a 221 cubic-inch Ford flathead V-8 that produced 85 horsepower.

Roadster
Chassis number: 71K250

Only the engine in this car has been restored during the car's lifetime. This car has essentially been maintained over the years. It has a long history of racing and hill climbs on the east coast.

These right-hand drive cars were equipped with a Ford flathead V-8. This motor has been modified to produce 110 horsepower.

Roadster
Chassis number: 71K249

Sydney Allard began his career as a constructor by building several Ford-based specials for British trials competitions. Many of these racing specials featured a split-axle independent front suspension that was developed by Leslie Bellamy, and some were powered by Lincoln engines. During World War II, his London-based garage rebuilt Ford vehicles for British forces. After World War II, there were plenty of engines and parts from his work on hand but no government contracts. Allard decided to introduce a sports car that would appeal to a wide and eager audience.

This first of many legendary Allard sports cars was the K1 model, which was a two-seater built on a box-section frame with transverse leaf springs. Power was usually either a Ford or Mercury flathead V8 with a torque-tube driveshaft. In total, there were around 151 K1 models built.

This particular example is the 43rd built, and it was sold through Mr. Sanders of Dangenham Motors in London. The original owner was Bob Judd, an editor, and writer for Road & Track.

The car may have been used in the classic 1953 film Genevieve. It was later owned by Robert R. Powell II, a professor of international law at Oxford, who used it extensively.

The car was restored in Mr. Needham's care, and it has, in its current ownership, undergone extensive freshening by the California shop, Healey Lane. The body was refinished in Bright Silver, and the interior was upholstered in Flame Red, with tan Wilton carpets bound in red leather.

The car has a Bluemel steering wheel and an air horn, which plays 'Hail to the Queen!' Power is from a correct Mercury V-8 that is 0.80 inches overbored and comes with Jahns pistons, Offenhauser heads, an Iskenderian track-grind camshaft, Isky valve springs, reinforced main bearing caps, and all-new bearings, valves, wrist pins, and water pumps. The engine is painted Ford Blue with black accessories. There is a Jaguar four-speed transmission which was been rebuilt with new bearings.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 71K250

This Allard was delivered new to Allard Dealers Bristol Street Motors, in the U.K. on October 10th of 1947. When new it wore blue paintwork with matched blue interior and was powered by a Ford V8 engine with number 7180297. In the late 1980s, the car was acquired by David North from a member of the duPont family, who had found the car in the U.K. in the 1970s and imported it to this country. At the time it was a particularly original example wearing its original paint, trim, and brightwork. North rebuilt the front end of the car and did other work but other projects took priority and the car was passed on to new (and long-term) ownership in 1993. The new owner progressively improved the vehicle over the years, including sourcing a Ford Model 59A block that was built up with performance in mind. With 200 horsepower on tap, Lincoln Zephyr brakes were added to keep the car under the driver's control.

The car competed in VSSCA events for the next dozen years and was a regular sight at Lime Rock, Mount Equinox Hill Climb, and Pocono. In 2005 it was acquired by its next owner in Colorado. Around 2010, it was purchased by its current owners.

by Dan Vaughan