We met Sydney Allard not long ago in these pages to discuss the swanky and refined Palm Beach model. The K2 “touring roadster” presented here is on the opposite end of the spectrum: made to pound the ground. Every example was just about ready for the track upon delivery. With only 119 units produced from 1950 through 1952 and far fewer surviving today, today’s Allard enjoys the kind of rarity and pedigree that will garner invitations from concours and vintage race organizations everywhere. Find it here on craigslist, offered for $87,000 in Edmonds, Washington. Thanks, Curvette, for yet another great tip!
This K2 was factory-equipped with a Ford engine at Allard’s southwest London plant. Shipped to Minnesota to meet its original owner, the car underwent an engine swap to a 331 cu. in. Cadillac V8 outfitted with two four-barrel carburetors – a combination that’s typically good for about 250 hp. A floor-shift manual transmission brings power to the rear wheels. The K2 sits on a 109″ wheelbase, and thanks to hand-formed aluminum panels, it weighs only about 2400 lbs. These cars accumulated prodigious race résumés, winning at Watkins Glen, Pebble Beach, even Monte Carlo. This example became part of the Hunholz collection in the 1970s; John and Betty Hunholz raced the car extensively up and down the West Coast for decades.
The interior is simple, with a galaxy of gauges supplying readings from amps to temperatures, revs to fuel. That Ray Dot rear-view mirror has a lightweight aluminum housing; we typically see these on fenders or doors. A vintage “motor minder” gauge measures vacuum, and the steering wheel is a real Bluemel’s Brooklands banjo-type. The top frame is still present, but no top or side curtains are mentioned. The car is running on steel wheels; dog-dish hubcaps are in the trunk. The seat surfaces are spiffy – in fact, other than minor wear from use, this car is in fine condition.
Allard first began installing functional, polished portholes along the bonnet in 1949 when the J2 appeared; this feature became a marque trademark ever after, along with the beautiful pentagonal grille. The K2, like most of Allard’s cars, is styled like a caricature of a contemporaneous British roadster – the swell of the fenders, the stubby rear end, the tiny doors. It’s a hot rod in a Savile Row suit. Meanwhile, prices hover around $50k unless the car is fitted with a hemi, which can double the price. Would an Allard be welcome in your garage?
Well dear, this, and many others would be MORE than welcome in my garage,,,if I had a garage, that is, and then what about the money, oh, right, not a concern, how silly of me. I happen to watch “My Classic Car” in between naps, and I like Dennis Gage, he is a cool guy and has seen his share of neat cars. One episode, he featured a man with an Allard K2, a ’51, it had a Mercury flathead V8 with 3-2bbl. A “Gentlemans Hot Rod”,, sorry, ladies, GentlePERSONS Hot Rod? Apparently, I read this car came with the 255 Mercury motor standard, and wasn’t until later, us Yankee hooligans swapped the Caddy motor along with any other V8. Dennis, whose opinion I value, said it was one of the most exhilarating cars he ever drove. I’ve made peace, of sorts, that I’m happy with all the vehicles I’ve had, okay, no Allard, but not alone there. Very cool cars, like the ultimate British roadster, I can only imagine, to a budding gearhead in England, this was like the Corvette to us, and pre-dated the V8 Corvette by several years.
Howard, I like Dennis too, I have him saved as a favorite on YouTube. He seems like a genuinely nice guy with a great passion for older cars and trucks. I’ll look for that one you mentioned. Thanks!!! -Dave
I will admit. I love cars like this. I can imagine that Cadillac V8 with dual quads and a manual trans in such a light car, it must have been ( well still is) a blast to run through the gears!!! This is a beautiful car, and I’d absolutely keep the wide white walls too, they just add a period “look” that I really like. Curvette seriously has an eye for old vehicles great find!!!! And Michelle, great write up on a beautiful Allard. Thank you!!!