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 Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2022