Vehicle Description
This 1952 Allard K2 is one of just 79 left-hand drive examples
produced by the British manufacturer, and is powered by a 400ci
Cadillac OHV V8 mated to a 3-speed LaSalle gearbox. The car was
reportedly discovered in 1981 behind a commercial building, where
it is believed to have sat since 1957. A restoration was
subsequently performed by John Brindle of the Cincinnati Motor
Company and completed in 1996. The car received a mechanical
refurbishment from 2016-2018, which included an overhaul of the
engine and the installation of a secondary fuel system. This K2 was
outlined in Red Wheels & White Sidewalls by Bill Pollack, in
addition to a number of local newspaper articles. Between 1996-2016
the Allard covered a total of 3 miles on a loaner Cadillac engine
because the Vic Edelbrock Sr. modified engine had not been rebuilt
yet. In 2016 John Brindle began rebuilding the original engine, had
an original style wiring harness custom made in England, and the
correct Blumels Brookland steering wheel installed. The engine has
only followed it's on the lift break-in procedure and been driven
on/off the trailer. It starts up the first time flawlessly, and
runs like it did when new. In the early 50's finding a non-used
Cadillac engine was very hard to do. Tom Carstens had a Cessna that
he and his guests would fly to go fishing and hunting. One of his
regular guests was a VP from General Motors, Cadillac Division
known as Mr. House Guest. If a good friend of Mr. House Guest
needed a block he would hand pick one from the factory and ship it
directly to another fishing buddy....Vic Edelbrock Sr. On another
vehicle they needed a set of Cadillac heads, so Mr. House Guest
sent them direct from the factory and someonetook delivery of a new
Cadillac with missing heads. That is the history of how this engine
left the Cadillac factory never being stamped for a vehicle, and
ended up in Vic's hands. The engine-turned dash houses an Allard
speedometer from Cooper Stewart and a Sun electronic tachometer.
Ammeter, water temperature, and fuel level gauges are from Stewart
Warner. A 4-spoke Blumels banjo wheel is mounted on the adjustable
steering column, and the 3-speed manual gearbox is shifted on the
tunnel. 24k miles are shown on the odometer, and approximately 3
miles have been added since the 1996 restoration. Normally built
with Ford or Mercury flathead V8s, K2s could be ordered to accept
more powerful engines, usually installed prior to delivery. This
example is equipped with an unstamped Cadillac V8, which was
modified by Vic Edelbrock Sr. before being installed when the car
was new. The OHV V8 has been increased in displacement from 331 to
400 cubic inches by utilizing a 4 bore and a 4 stroke. Cast pistons
are from JE, and the engine is also equipped with an Isky camshaft,
aluminum Detroit Racing Equipment intake manifold, and dual Carter
carburetors. The 2016-2018 refurbishment included an engine
overhaul, and the motor is still under break-in miles. The car has
been featured in a number of newspaper articles over the years,
copies of which are included in the sale.It has also been
documented in Red Wheels & White Sidewalls by Bill Pollack with a
foreword from Carroll Shelby. A copy of the book autographed by
Bill Pollack will be provided to the next owner. Please call us for
more information.
