1954 Allard Palm Beach 2.6-Litre Mark I Sports

• One of only some 80 ever made
• Exported new to New Zealand
• Restored in NZ
• Returned to the UK in 2011
• Further works undertaken including a repaint
• New road/race Zephyr Six engine and Ford Type 9 five-speed manual gearbox
• Hardly used since the engine rebuild

Using a crashed Ford V8 coupé onto 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 programme. 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 favourable 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 the Monte Carlo Rally outright in a P-Type saloon.

Introduced in 1952, the pretty, alloy-bodied Palm Beach was Sydney Allard's final sports car design, employing a K3-type tubular chassis and his trademark independently suspended swing axles at the front with a coil-sprung live axle at the rear. Four- and six-cylinder engines were sourced from Ford, while the restyled 1956-onwards Mark II could be had with Jaguar XK power. Approximately 80 of all types were built up to 1958.

This Ford Zephyr Six-engined Mark I Palm Beach was sold new to New Zealand and comes with a list of its owners there. Eventually left to deteriorate in storage, the Allard was subsequently restored in NZ before being brought back to the UK in 2011. Further work was then undertaken, which included installing a new road/race engine and a modern Ford Type 9 five-speed manual gearbox. The car was also repainted and it should be noted that it has been converted from three-seat bench to two-seat accommodation.

Hardly any miles have been covered since the engine rebuild and the car is described by the private vendor as in overall good condition, with very good leather and recently rewired electrics. Restoration invoices are on file and the Palm Beach also comes with a copy of the New Zealand dealer's order; photographs of the car under restoration in NZ; and information concerning the new engine build and gearbox installation.