Vehicle Description
Shortly after WWII, Allard Motor Company was formed by Sydney
Allard - a London-based garage owner, innovative engineer, and
bold, courageous racing driver. His first foray as a constructor
came just before the war when Sydney built ground-up cars
specifically for the rigors of off-road trials competition, with an
in-house chassis design and inexpensive, accessible Ford V8 power.
Never one to shy away from a challenge; he even built a couple of
mad creations using the Lincoln-Zephyr V12! Allard's first cars
were successful enough in trials to sell about a dozen examples to
privateer racers. After the war, Sydney Allard wasted little time
getting back to the car business. Allard announced the arrival of
its first production sports car, the K1, in 1946. As a natural
by-product of Allard's war-time business servicing Ford military
vehicles, the Flathead V8 was a natural choice for power, with the
more powerful Mercury version appearing later. Some cars featured
the ARDUN overhead-valve conversion, as its creator, Zora Arkus
Duntov, served as a technical advisor and works driver for Sydney
Allard before going to General Motors, where he famously
spearheaded the Corvette program. The new K1 showed great promise,
and Allard sold 151 cars. The K2 of 1950 was an evolution of the
K1, sharing the same basic architecture but with vastly improved
handling via coil-springs on the split front axle in place of the
K1's elliptic springs. The K2 also featured revised styling, with
the attractive 5-sided grille and signature oval portholes in the
bonnet making their first appearances. As with nearly every Allard,
cars were prepped by the works for the buyer's engine of choice,
which the selling dealer then fitted. The standard engine was the
tried and true Ford V8, but powerful new OHV Cadillac and Chrysler
V8s were also available. The more refined K2 was quite popular with
American audiences, though it sold in lesser numbers than its
predecessor - ultimately, just 119 from 1949 to 1952. Chassis
number 2199 is one of the final 30 K2s produced, completed in
February 1952. Records show it was sold new to the United States
and delivered through R/P Imported Motor Car Co., a repair shop and
sports car dealer in New York City run by brothers Perry and Joseph
Fina. It received the most potent engine available in the K2 -
Cadillac's 331 cubic-inch OHV V8, backed by a 3-speed manual
transmission. Around 1956, Mr. Jerauld Cothran of New York acquired
the Allard and kept it in his care for the next four decades. In
the early 1990s, it came out of long-term storage and received a
comprehensive restoration, finished in its current red livery over
a tan leather interior. More recently, after a period in a private
collection, the Allard K2 has received a mechanical freshening,
with significant work to the drivetrain, fuel system, and brakes.
Performance lives up to the Allard legend - a thrilling and highly
engaging motoring experience. Since its restoration, the K2 has
seen limited use and remains in very good condition, with
attractive red paintwork and good quality detailing. It rides on
period-correct steel disc wheels, finished in matching red, dressed
in chrome hub caps, and fitted with period-style Michelin X radial
tires, which provide the proper stance and authentic driving
experience. Exterior brightwork is relatively minimal, but the
chrome and polished alloy accents are in good order all around.
Similarly, the two-place cockpit is well-preserved and tidy. The
leather seats show some light creasing consistent with use, along
with some slight soiling of the rugs. Correct Smiths instruments
sit in an engine-turned alloy panel, with proper switches, shift
knob, and four-spoke Bluemel's Brooklands steering wheel. Beneath
the leather-strapped bonnet sits the proper Cadillac 331 V8, fed by
a single four-barrel carburetor. The neat, period-correct aesthetic
continues with finned alloy Edelbrock valve covers, a custom chrome
air cleaner, and the original Perry's Auto Repair plaque on the
firewall. Thanks to the recent mechanical attention, the mighty K2
performs exceptionally well and will prove to be an excellent
companion for touring. This Allard is well-suited to a wide range
of popular pre-57 driving events, where its power, flexibility, and
performance can be best enjoyed. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6996-1952-allard-k2-roadster/
