303ci OHV Oldsmobile V8 Engine
4-Barrel Carter Carburetor
Approx. 200bhp at 5,200rpm
3-Speed Automatic Transmission
Independent Front Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*Rare engine and transmission configuration
*Great entrant for high-speed rallies such as the Colorado Grand
*Factory Left Hand Drive Example delivered new to New York
*Powerful, fun, and easy to drive early 1950s Sports car
*Long term ownership

THE ALLARD MOTOR COMPANY

Using a crashed Ford V8 coupe on to which he had grafted the body from a Grand Prix Bugatti, racing driver Sydney Allard constructed one of the most unlikely of all pre-war trials specials. Nevertheless, the Allard Special's lightweight construction and relatively powerful American V8 engine, although not the first such combination, demonstrated the formula's potential and provided the inspiration for future imitators, including Carroll Shelby who acknowledged Allard's influence on the Cobra.

After WW2, Allard progressed from special-builder to motor manufacturer, though the latter activity was really little more than a means of financing the company's competition program. Allard's post-war cars combined the same virtues of light weight, independent front suspension and an abundance of American V8 power, which had been features of that first trials special of the mid-1930s. These favorable characteristics enabled Allard to establish a formidable competition record in the immediate post-war years. Despite its small size and limited resources, Allard's achievements were legion, Sydney himself finishing 3rd at Le Mans in a J2 sports-racer and winning outright at the Monte Carlo Rally in a P-Type saloon.

Introduced in 1946, the competition-orientated J1 two-seater employed a 100" wheelbase chassis equipped with Allard's trademark independently suspended 'split' front axle and a DeDion rear end with inboard brakes. Like the vast majority of production Allard's, the J1 used Ford/Mercury components, these being readily obtainable from Ford in the UK. The K1 tourer was broadly similar apart from its longer wheelbase. In 1950 the latter was superseded by the restyled K2, which together with its more streamlined, all-enveloping bodywork boasted a floor-mounted gear change, coil-sprung front suspension and a small luggage boot. UK customers could choose between the usual Ford/Mercury engines while cars bound for the USA were usually fitted with either Cadillac or Chrysler power units.

Being top quality, hand-built British cars with American mechanicals, Allard's were very usable and relatively inexpensive to run and maintain. With their powerful and torquey V8 engines, three-speed manual gearbox and high overall gearing, they were fast and exciting cars to drive. Allard's were immensely popular in production sports car racing in North America, providing drivers such as Tom Cole, Zora Duntov, John Fitch and Carroll Shelby with numerous successes - in 1953 Shelby won every race he entered with his Allard.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This particular Allard K2 chassis K1845, like many other Allards dispatched to the North America, was dispatched without a motor fitted according to the original records. The first customer was listed at R/P Imported Motors in New York, who handled Allard imports on the east coast along with Overseas Equipment Corporation.

When new, it was an original LHD example. At some point of time in its early life possibly when the car was new, the current Rocket 88 engine and automatic transmission were fitted. A close inspection of the car's engine mounts show that this engine has been in the car for quite a long time. According to sources there were only five K2s that were fitted with Oldsmobile engines.

20 years ago, the car passed to its current custodian, a North Carolina based enthusiast. Today the car presents very nicely having been in the care of the consigner for the past 20 years. The GM color code cream white paint presents very well, and the Rocket 88 power plant is very smooth, and with an impressive amount of torque. The GM automatic shifts smoothly and gives the car a degree of usability seldom seen in vintage sports cars. Eligible for many prestigious motoring events, this particular Allard K2 would make a wonderful addition to any car collection.