Vehicle Description
After making a name for himself in the British Trials scene before
World War II, Sydney Allard branched out into sports cars for the
Post War era. The Allard K1 Touring debuted in 1946 as a 2-seat
roadster with a box-section chassis, live rear axle, transverse
leaf springs, and the signature split-axle front suspension
designed by Les Ballamy. As a natural by-product of Allard's
war-time business repairing Ford military vehicles, the ubiquitous
Ford "flathead" V8 powered the K1, with the option of a more
powerful Mercury version following. Some cars featured the ARDUN
overhead-valve conversion, as Zora Arkus Duntov served as Allard's
technical advisor and a Works driver before going to General
Motors, where he famously saved the Corvette. The J2 marked
Allard's arrival on the international motorsport scene,
particularly in the United States, where Cadillac, Buick,
Oldsmobile, or Chrysler V8-powered J2s dominated the open road
racing scene of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Soon, more
prominent manufacturers caught the sports car bug, pushing
development along so quickly that small firms like Allard struggled
to keep up. Undaunted, Sydney Allard persevered and continued
developing new cars like the 1952 Palm Beach, with its
fully-enveloped body and four- or six-cylinder Ford power from the
Consul/Zephyr. Allard built just 80, but the body lived on to
clothe the new K3. Whereas the Palm Beach was a relaxed
boulevardier, the K3 was an outright bruiser - essentially a
road-going version of the brutal J2 in a handsome new suit. Hidden
beneath the attractive alloy body was a massive American V8,
usually a Ford or Mercury - though Cadillac and Chrysler engines
were also offered, as was the Jaguar XK inline-six. Sadly for
Allard, the K3 sold in small numbers - just 63 examples were built,
and today they stand among the most collectible of all the Allard
road cars. Factory production records show that this Allard K3,
chassis no. 3196 was ordered for the American market, with
modifications for the Cadillac 331 cubic-inch V8 engine. Copies of
the original 'pink card' assembly notes show the color was blue
with blue trim and that it left the UK in the spring of 1953 aboard
the cargo vesselLoch Avon.It was delivered to the legendary sports
car dealer Noel Kirk Motors of Hollywood, California. At Noel Kirk,
it received its Cadillac V8 engine and manual gearbox as specified
by the first owner, Mr. Robert Downey, a Lockheed Aerospace
employee. The K3 remained in California for much of its life,
surviving the years remarkably intact. In about 1965, Mr. L.
Macomber of El Cajon, CA, acquired 3196, and it stayed in his
family's care through 2007. Along the way, it was restored and
refinished in red. Around 2011, the Allard left the warmth of the
west for Hadley, Massachusetts, and the workshop of renowned
restorer Mike DiCola. In his care, the Allard received a
comprehensive, nut-and-bolt restoration, finished to concours
standards. By 2016, the exhaustive restoration was complete, and
the Allard emerged in a beautiful shade of dark British Racing
Green, accented with rich Oxblood leather upholstery. Mr. Dicola
has had Allards on the lawn at Pebble Beach, and his expertise is
evident throughout this superb example. Chassis 3196 has been with
the most recent owner since 2017 and remains in absolutely
fantastic condition, with concours-quality finishes and
on-the-button mechancials. The body is authentically detailed with
knock-off wire wheels and the original Noel Kirk Motors Lion badges
that have been with the car since new. The most recent owner added
period-correct Lucas fog lights to improve visibility on the road
and provide a sporty accent, and roll-up windows were fitted for
additional comfort while on tour. The cockpit features gorgeous
oxblood leather upholstery, black wool carpeting, and a superbly
crafted Haartz canvas hood piped in green leather. Smiths
instruments were fully rebuilt as part of the restoration, and they
sit in an engine-turned alloy panel surrounded by precisely
stitched red leather. A proper four-spoke banjo steering wheel
rounds out the purposeful and authentically restored cockpit. The
generous boot houses the spare wheel, jack, and hammer, with ample
room for luggage and spares. The Cadillac OHV V8 sits in a tidy and
purposeful engine bay, and is detailed with period-style finned
alloy valve covers a finned valley cover. Detailing is generally
period-correct with a few understated upgrades for reliable
touring. Most notably, a 5-speed gearbox improves high-speed
cruising ability, though the original transmission is included in
the sale. The K3 proved its mettle over thousands of miles of
challenging events in the most recent owner's care. Decals show
that since 2017, it ran in North America's most prestigious classic
rallies - including the Colorado Grand, California Mille, 2018
Going to the Sun Rally, the 2019 Pebble Beach Tour D'Elegance, and
2021 Copperstate 1000. According to the Allard Register, just 46 K3
Tourings are known to exist. This example is undoubtedly one of the
finest extant, boasting superb, concours-ready looks and an
impressive roster of accomplishments on America's most challenging
vintage rallies. It is now ready for its next custodian to carry on
its impressive legacy and will undoubtedly be a thrilling addition
to your stable. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional
details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7130-1953-allard-k3-roadster/
