1949 Allard L-Type

The Allard L-Type was a two-door, four-seat roadster produced from 1946 to 1950, and 191 (as many as 193) examples were built. It rested on a 112-inch wheelbase chassis and was powered by either a 3,622cc (221 CID) Ford Flathead or a 4,375cc (267 CID) Mercury V8 engine. The suspension was independent at the front with a split-beam axle and transverse leaf springs, while the rear used a live axle with transverse leaf springs. Four-wheel hydraulic drums provided the stopping power.

Sydney Allard was a racing driver and car constructor who, during the 1930s, built a dozen Ford-based specials for British trails competitions. Some examples received Lincoln engines and most had a split-axle independent front suspension developed by Leslie Ballamy. Confusingly, his London garage went by the name Adlards, Ltd. during World War II, and it rebuilt Ford vehicles for British forces.

When peacetime resumed, Sydney Allard was devoid of government contracts but had a surplus of engines and parts. Production commenced with the two-seater Allard K1, which had a box-section frame with transverse leaf springing and Ballamy's IFS front axle. Common powerplants included Ford or Mercury V8s. The L-Type was a longer wheelbase version with seating for four.

A variety of models followed in 1947, including the J1, a four-seater M1, and a shortened K1 intended for trials and sprints. The Allard J2 was an uprated version of the J1 with a De Dion rear axle on coil springs and radius arms. Approximately 90 examples were built, the majority of which were sent to the United States, with Chrysler or Cadillac engines fitted on arrival.

Most of the Allard L-Types were built prior to 1949. Depending on the configuration, the L-Type had a top speed of around 85 mph, and prices were slightly above £1000.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2025