Rare 1951 Allard K2 sports car with flathead-Ford V8 power

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The Allard wears an older repaint of Primrose with black fenders
The Allard wears an older repaint of Primrose with black fenders

After World War II, London garage owner and race driver Sidney Allard got back into the business of building sports cars powered by all sorts of American V8 engines.   He debuted the Allard K1 in 1946 powered by the then-ubiquitous Ford flathead V8, some of which were fitted with overhead-valve conversions designed by the famed Zora Arkus Duntov, technical adviser and works driver for the Allard Motor Company before going to General Motors to rescue Corvette.

The Pick of the Day is a 1951 Allard K2, the subsequent model introduced in 1950 with improved suspension and revised styling.  While many of these Anglo-America hybrids were powered by Cadillac or Chrysler V8s, this K2 retains the tried-and-true Ford engine, although with hot rod-infused performance tweaks. 

The Allard comes with a fabric top and side-curtains for rainy days

“Power comes from a Ford flathead V8 with period upgrades that include Offenhauser cylinder heads, Offy tri-power intake and a trio of Stromberg 97 carburetors,” according to the St. Louis, Missouri, dealer advertising the car on ClassicCars.com. “The engine compartment is tidy and very nicely presented, and the engine runs well, sending power through a three-speed manual gearbox.”

The dealer describes the car as a “sterling example” with a well-preserved older restoration painted in the desirable color combination of Primrose with black fenders.

The Allard’s flathead V8 is fed by a set of triple Strombergs

“The K2 now presents in handsome order, with good quality paintwork and finishing,” the dealer adds. “The body remains straight with excellent door and decklid fit, and includes a full set of weather equipment in black canvas.

“A few touchups can be found, which is to be expected considering the time since its restoration, and the finish has taken on a pleasing character with just a very slight patina. It rides on correct color-keyed steel wheels with blackwall cross-ply tires and Allard dog-dish hub caps.

“The interior is basic and purposeful, trimmed in black leather with off-white piping. Seats are in very good order, with a pleasing broken-in character to the leather.”

The cockpit is fitted with a Brooklands steering wheel
The cockpit is fitted with a Brooklands steering wheel

The dashboard and instruments appear to be in good condition, and the restored cockpit features “a genuine Bluemels Brooklands steering wheel.”

Although just 119 Allard K2s were built, with 87 known to still exist, they are not terribly expensive, considering what they are.  The asking price for this one is $119,500.

“These rare and desirable cars offer tremendous enjoyment with their mix of burly American power and a lively English chassis,” the dealer concludes.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day

 

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