Before WWII, Sydney Allard campaigned a repurposed Bugatti GP body on a Ford V8 frame and independent suspension. Demand for replicas led to a thriving post-war business. UK cars normally had a Ford V8 Pilot engine, sometimes upgraded to a Mercury 3.9/4.4-litre unit. Healthy US exports – normally powered by GM or Chrysler V8 engines and automatic transmission. Competition from Jaguar probably did for them in the end.
Allard K1
Sensational acceleration and striking appearance.
Years
1946-48
Engine
3622cc V8 SV Ford
Body Style
2-seater sports
Production
151
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Allard L
Longer wheelbase and two more seats. Harked back to Anglo-American pre-war specials.
Years
1946-48
Engine
3622cc V8 SV Ford.
Body Style
4-seater sports
Production
191
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Allard M1
Slightly more civilised DHC.
Years
1947-50
Engine
3622cc V8 SV Ford
Body Style
4-seater DHC
Production
500
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Photo: Flickr
Allard P1
The car in which Sydney Allard won the 1952 Monte Carlo Rally! Column shift. Allard’s best seller.
Years
1949-52
Engine
3622cc V8 SV Ford
Body Style
2-dr saloon
Production
559
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Photo: Flickr
Allard J2/J2X
Four-wheel motorbike. Competitive on track.
Years
1950-52
Engine
5420cc V8 OHV GM or 4400 V8 Mercury
Body Style
2-seater sports
Production
173
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Allard K2
More civilised version- even had a small boot.
Years
1950-52
Engine
3917cc V8 SV Ford (GM in USA)
Body Style
2-seater sports
Production
119
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Allard M2X
DHC version of P1. New grille. Front coil spring IFS, floor change.
Years
1951-53
Engine
3622cc V8 SV Ford
Body Style
4-seater DHC
Production
25
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Photo: Flickr
Allard K3
New model with tubular frame. De Dion rear axle from J2 racer. Wide front seat. Usual Ford engines in UK.
Years
1952-55
Engine
3622cc V8 SV Ford (GM in USA)
Body Style
Roadster
Production
63
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Photo: Flickr
Allard P2 Monte Carlo
Saloon version of K£ but with more usual Allard styling, and a lot more weight despite aluminium panels.
Years
1952-55
Engine
3622cc V8 SV Ford (GM in USA)
Body Style
2-dr saloon
Production
11
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Photo: Wikipedia
Allard P2 Safari
Two door woody station wagon version.
Years
1952-55
Engine
3622cc V8 SV Ford
Body Style
Station wagon
Production
11
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Allard Palm Beach
Economy K3 with smaller engine and conventional rear axle. After the main production run, a handful of cars were made with Jaguar XK engines.
Years
1952-55
Engine
1508cc S4 OHV; 2262cc S6 OHV
Body Style
3-seater roadster
Production
8 (21C); 65 (21Z)
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Allard Dragster
First of its type in Britain. Followed the American scene, but RAC regulations meant brakes and covered engine. Attracted huge interest: 1963 contests with the US dragster Mooneyes led to the pioneering British International Drag Festival.
Years
1961
Engine
5700cc V8 Chrysler SC FI
Body Style
Production
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Photo: Flickr