Vehicle Description
Offered for Sale exclusively through Bring-a-Trailer's Spring
Motoring Collection. A selection of 15 sports and touring cars,
chosen by DriverSource in celebration of our 15th Anniversary!
Bidding Now Live ->
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1946-allard-k1-2
1946 Allard K-1
Chassis No. 61K165
Engine: Cadillac 390ci
Gearbox: Richman 4-Speed
Rearend: Ford 9-Inch
One of the Earliest Allards Imported to the U.S.
Known History Since 1950
Prepped and Highly Versatile for Road Use or Vintage Racing
Over 20 Years of Extensive Mechanical & Servicing Records
Carries Two VSCCA Logbooks
Accompanied by Installable Road & Racing Equipment
Among the Great Anglo-American Hybrids
Sydney Allard was, in many ways, the British equivalent to Carroll
Shelby, pioneering the construction of a lightweight European racer
designed to accommodate American brute force under the hood. Left
with a supply of surplus Ford engines and parts on hand after World
War II, his London shop assembled them into profitable sports cars,
the first of which was the K1, a two-seater on a box section frame
with transverse leaf springing and split-axle independent front
suspension developed by Leslie Ballamy. Designed for either Ford or
Mercury flathead V-8 power, the lightweight K1 boasted road-burning
acceleration. No surprise, then, that its success in privateer
racing soon carried over to the United States.
According to the Allard Register, 61K165 is one of the earliest
Allards brought to the US, as one of three cars exported on August
8, 1947 - chassis numbers 3, 4, and 5. Records indicate it was
originally painted red with a brown interior. A written historical
account of the K-1 by a previous long-term caretaker David Ward,
states that by 1950, the Allard was towed to a garage in South
Bend, Indiana - sans the original engine. The owner at the time
abandoned the project and the car was acquired by the station's
owner who installed a Cadillac V8. The station owner kept the car
until he retired and sold it to another station owner in Buchanan,
Michigan. Ward accounts visiting the Allard as a high school
student in the late 1950's-60, complete but in disrepair, the
station owner repeated denied Ward's attempts to purchase the
vehicle. In 1960, the station shuttered and the car disappeared. On
a whim, Ward cleverly traced down the owner and car - now resting
under an apple tree and full of apples. Ward was finally able to
purchase the car in 1963 for $175 and revive to road readiness. He
recounts the K-1 always wearing green paintwork, with a small-mouth
grill and a visual appearance more in line with a J Series, than a
K Series. In 1970, the Allard was driven to Ward's new residence in
Oklahoma, and later to Watkins Glen, NY in 1973, where it was
displayed at the Watkins Glen Auto Museum in 1974. The Allard was
eventually traded for a 1927 Willys Single Seater.
Subsequent ownership is also well recorded, highlighted with Marcel
Perlman, who prepped and actively raced the K-1 in several East
Coast VSCCA and VRG events, as tracked by two accompanying Log
Books spanning 16 years. Its most recent caretaker, Mr. Maiuccoro
of New York was introduced to this car and the sport after watching
it perform at the Memorial Weekend at Lime Rock event. Since 2005,
Maiuccoro continued to race, and "completely sorted the car out to
a level that most Allards are not able to achieve - this is by far
the best handling K-1 out there." Proven at events such as: Lime
Rock, Pocono, Watkins Glen, New Jersey, and New Hampshire.
Mechanical highlights include a 390 Cadillac engine, built by John
Harden/Chris Campbell of The Vintage Connection in Oklahoma City.
Fitted with JE pistons, Eagle forged connecting rods, Competition
camshaft, nitrate crank, billet timing gears, ported and relieved
heads, high torque starter, and is adapted to a T4 Richmond close
ratio transmission. Custom headers, 350 CFM Carburetors, and dyno
tuned between 362 hp at 6200 RPM and 401 hp at 6200 rpm. Over
$23,000 was invested just in the motor and transmission. The rear
end is a Ford 9-inch with drum brakes. The front brakes are Lincoln
drums vintage 1946/48. The suspension has been fine-tuned with
special rated springs and revised geometry. A large file recent
work, photographs, history and documentation is included with the
sale.
A truly versatile race on Sunday, drive on Monday car - it's said
the Allard can be transformed to its race form within a couple of
hours. Parts include a full windshield, Brookland's windscreens,
lap belts, fire suppression plumbing, and a bolt in the three-point
roll bar. Sorted and ready for road or track, this K-1 qualifies
for nearly every worldwide vintage touring, racing, and display
event. Bountiful options, now available for global purchase and
delivery from our Houston, Texas showroom.
The above vehicle information is accurate to the best of our
knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. It is provided
'as-is', without warranties as to its accuracy, whether expressed
or implied, and is intended for informational purposes only.
Corrections or additional information is always appreciated.
All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any
finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and
shipping expenses. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. DriverSource
is not liable for any errors, omissions, or mistakes.