Adlards Motors Ltd, Putney London SW15 1937 - 1945

Allard Motor Co. Ltd. Clapham, London SW4 1946 - 1960

Allard cars were the brainchild of Sidney Allard who was a serious competitor in sporting trials in the pre-war period. His first special was based on the 1934 Ford V-8 and was fitted with the body from a Grand Prix Bugatti (imagine that today!). The front axle was converted from beam to chassis mounted swing axles which was an advantage on mud. The choice of car for his special was undoubtedly because his company were Ford agents. This first special was so successful that a demand for replicas resulted in a handful being built prior to World War 2.

The trials Formula in those days did not have any restriction on engine capacity and some of these pre-war cars were fitted with the 4.4 litre Lincoln Zephyr engine.

In 1946 the Allard reappeared as a fully equipped road car to take advantage of the post war demand for new cars. It had a striking radiator grille and simple but stylish coachwork. It was based on the Ford V-8 chassis but lowered and used the 3.6 litre side valve engine. It was available as the K as a 2 seater, the L as a four seater and the M as a drophead coupe. Prices started at £1,125 which was expensive for the period.

By 1949 it had acquired coil spring independent front suspension and hydraulic brakes. This was followed by the much lighter and sporting J2 two seater with deDion rear axle and 3.9 litre Mercury V-8 engine with Ardun conversion to overhead valves. The export models sold in the USA were fitted with the much larger 5.4 litre Cadillac, Chrysler and Oldsmobile Rocket engines.

Sidney Allard was a very competant driver and won the Monte Carlo rally in 1952 driving one of his P type saloons.

The 1953 models were already outclassed by the competition from Jaguar and the Monte Carlo saloon and Safari station wagon were not popular. There was a smaller series with 4 cylinder

1.5 litre and 6 cylinder 2.3 litre Ford UK engines named the Palm Beach model. The new Cadillac engined JR sports was too expensive for the American market at $8,500.

A 346cc three wheeler called the Clipper was made briefly in 1955 and by 1956 the aging Ford V-8 was replaced by the Jaguar engine. From this date cars were only made to special order and the last new design was the GT coupe in 1958. Tuning equipment for the Ford 105E Anglia was produced for several years.

Apart from trials and rallying Sidney was a exponent of Speed Hillclimb and built a fearsome special known as the Steyr-Allard which used a large air cooled Steyr engine at the front.

There is an active Allard Owners Club in the UK and the secretary is Michelle Wilson

10 Brooklyn Court Brooklyn Road, Woking, Surrey, GU22 7TQ

Bibliography

The Inside Story of Allard by Tom Lush, Motor Racing Publications 1977