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1957 Allard Palm Beach

The Allard Motor Company Ltd was created in 1945 by gentleman racing driver Sydney Allard who used his engineering skills to create vehicles that were primarily intended for competition. The Clapham, a London-based company produced approximately 1900 vehicles during its existence, made famous by the likes of Masten Gregory, John Fitch, and Carroll Shelby. Production came to a close in the mid-1950s due to financial difficulties; Sydney Allard himself died in April 1966 on the same night as a fire destroyed the Clapham factory and most of its records.

The vehicles built by Sydney Allard relied on lightweight construction, minimal accouterments, an independent front suspension, wind-cheating coachwork, and American V8 power. These ingredients allowed Allard vehicles to establish a formidable competition record in the immediate post-war era, including a third-place finish at Le Mans in 1950 and an outright victory at the Monte Carlo Rally in1 952.

The utilitarian, minimalistic, and uncomplicated Allards were designed to harness the brute torque and horsepower of the V8 engines. A variety of models were built during the company's lifespan, and among the most memorable were the cycle-winged, Cadillac V8-powered J2 and the P1 Saloon. Many of the Allard vehicles received the side-valve, 3.6-liter Ford V8 or the larger Cadillac engine, but as the years progressed, Sydney decided to tame the breed. To that end, the Palm Beach was introduced in 1952, equipped with an overhead-valve four-cylinder engine from the Ford Consul or a six-cylinder unit from the Zephyr. The restyled 1956-onwards Mark II could be had with Jaguar XK power. The frame was built using a tubular steel side and cross-members joined to a similar rail design and clothed in aluminum panels. The full-width, sleek, and modern body was essentially a shorter version of the new K3 sports car. The front suspension used Allard's trademark independently suspended swing axles with a coil-sprung live axle at the rear. In stock form, the Palm Beach was capable of achieving top speeds in excess of 80 mph.

Approximately seventy-five Palm Beach vehicles were built between February 1953 and August of 1955. To help stimulate sales, the boxy styling was replaced by a more curvaceous appearance (formed from aluminum by Jack Jackman), and Allard's American market sales manager, Robert Forsyth, was able to secure an agreement with Dodge to supply a Red Ram Hemi V8. Sydney, however, decided against the V8 and installed the straight-six from the Jaguar XK140. The front suspension of the Mark II was given a new modified MacPherson setup.

Approximately eight examples of the Mark II were built and most were equipped with Jaguar engines and roadster bodies. Two examples were given coupe bodies, and one of those received a Chrysler Hemi.

The Allard Palm Beach was produced from 1952 to 1958 with approximately 80 examples of all types built during that time. The Palm Beach was Allard's last serious attempt at a volume production car.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe

Englishman Sydney Allard, a former race car driver, was a bit of a pioneer – installing American-built V-8 engines in a British-built car. The Allard Palm Beach MKII was introduced at the 1956 London Motor Show as an updated model with MacPherson strut-type independent front suspension and more powerful engines than its predecessor. Just six roadsters were built along with two GT versions, including this car, which was Sydney Allard's personal vehicle. It is powered by a 210hp 3.4-liter Jaguar engine and modified Girling front disc brakes and a De Dion rear suspension. The car was capable of 120mph and Allard used it for competitive outings on many occasions. It remained in the Allard family until 1980.

For an all-too-brief period in the late 1940s and early 1950s, the name of Allard was one of the most revered of all motor manufacturers. The company's road cars were some of the most popular among wealthy enthusiasts, especially in the United States. The racing versions were more than competitive on the track, and the company's founder, Sidney Allard, was one of Britain's leading competitive drivers, winning the British Hillclimb Championship in 1949 and the Monte Carlo Rally in 1952.

Born to wealthy parents in South London, England in 1910, Sydney Allard, would have a tremendous career as a mechanic, race car driver, and car company owner. At age 18 he began work in a garage as an apprentice mechanic; this was also the time Allard began his racing career. Initially, he specialized in cross-country trials in a Morgan. After a year he began racing at such memorable tracks as Brooklands and Donnington Park.

The first automobile built by Allard was in 1930 and it was given a Ford flathead V8 engine. Demand for the vehicle soon escalated, so Allard set up an assembly line to cope with this new interest. During the Second World War, the company focused on building military vehicles. When peacetime resumed, the company resumed automobile production with the introduction of their K1, a simple two-seater convertible powered by a flathead V8. The bodies used steel panels draped over traditional wood framing.

The company produced both two-seat and four-seat models in both open and closed configurations. The road-going cars were built to support his racing endeavors.

From 1952 through 1959, the company produced the Palm Beach model. It was an attempt to boost sales and was built on a short 96-inch wheelbase. It was smaller and less expensive than their V-8 powered roadsters and given a body design similar to the K3s. They had an oval grille in the front, a one-piece windshield, and a full-width roadster-style body. The early cars were powered by either a British Ford four- or six-cylinder engine. In 1956, the Palm Beach was given a redesign, resulting in more room under the bonnet, with some of the cars being fitted with V-8 engines. Between 1956-1959, only seven examples of the Mark II cars were produced. 1959 was the final year of production for the Allard company.

by Dan Vaughan