Vehicle Description
Allard, much like Ferrari and Porsche, emerged as a significant
name during the Automotive Renaissance, the period immediately
following World War II. These three marques owed their existence to
a shared passion for motor racing, driven by visionary leaders.
While Ferrari and Porsche became known for their engineering,
design, and aesthetic finesse, Sydney Allard's approach was starkly
utilitarian. Allard's cars focused on harnessing brute torque and
horsepower, emphasizing functionality over form. For most classic
car enthusiasts, remembering Allard's various models can be
challenging, except for notable ones like the cycle-winged,
Cadillac V8-powered J2 and the P1 Saloon. The P1 Saloon, famously
driven by Sydney Allard to victory in the 1952 Monte Carlo Rally,
remains a significant highlight as he is the only person to win
this rally in a car of his own manufacture. Allard produced a
variety of sports cars primarily for racing, often equipped with
the side-valve, 3.6-litre Ford V8 or the larger Cadillac engine. In
1952, Allard introduced the Palm Beach, aiming to streamline their
range. The Palm Beach featured a handmade, full-width aluminum
body, essentially a shorter version of the new K3 sports car body.
Initially powered by an overhead-valve engine from the Ford Consul
(4-cylinder) or Zephyr (6-cylinder), the Palm Beach aimed to appeal
to the US market. However, its design, while fresh and modern,
lacked the curvaceous appeal seen in contemporary models like the
Healey and MGA. Robert Forsyth, from Allard's New York office,
redesigned the Palm Beach to better fit American tastes, proposing
a Dodge 'Red Ram' V8 engine. Unfortunately, this never came to
fruition. The prototype MK 2 Palm Beach debuted at the 1956 Earls
Court Motor Show, showcasing divided axle front suspension, live
Salisbury rear axle, and a six-cylinder, 2553cc Ford engine coupled
to a Ford four-speed gearbox. Despite positive reception, the model
failed to generate anticipated orders, leading to its
discontinuation after only six units were produced by 1958. After
its debut, the prototype MK 2 Palm Beach served as an Allard
demonstrator before passing through several hands, including Brian
Howard, a manager of the Allard Motor Company, then to Walter
Hemsworth in 1968 and subsequently onto Peter Hemsworth in whose
ownership it was put into storage around 1976. In 2012, Alan and
Lloyd Allard, Sydney's son, and grandson, formed the Allard Sports
Car Company, with a view to the revival of Allard as a sports car
manufacturer once again after a gap of some 56 years. With this
revival in mind, and the possibility of producing a continuation
model, a Palm Beach MK 3, Alan Allard purchased the MK 2 from Peter
Hemsworth in 2012. Lloyd and Alan then conducted a full restoration
and, as no drawings or patterns were in existence, they took the
opportunity to create their own. The entire car was disassembled,
and a wooden framework formed to keep everything in place. They
hoped to use as much of the original car as possible, but nearly
everything made of wood, rubber, leather, or fabric was rotted
beyond redemption. The aluminum body panels, hand beaten by Jack
Jackman some 58 years ago, had survived well beneath layers of
paint and filler but the steel bulkhead, inner wings, and fuel tank
less so. Lloyd's metal fabrication skills enabled him to make all
the corroded steel sheets with the correct ribs and swages and he
also built the double tube bumpers. The engine rebuild was
subcontracted, as were the final body preparation and paint in
Carmine Red plus the smart new interior in cream and red, and the
car was also upgraded at this time to a modern 5 speed gearbox. The
finished article was on display at the NEC Classic Car Show in 2014
and Octane Magazine published an excellent seven-page article,
including a road test in the January 2015 issue. The most recent
owner acquired the car in 2019, and imported it to the US, where it
joined a significant Midwest sportscar collection, featuring
several examples of the Allard marque. Since its restoration, the
Palm Beach has been pampered and remains in excellent condition.
Included in the sale is correspondence with Lloyd Allard,
restoration photos and even an original factory brochure. This
significant Allard, the original prototype and the first of only
six built, was meticulously restored by Sydney Allard's son and
grandson with assistance from some of the original factory
engineers. It represents a rare opportunity for the serious
collector to acquire a unique piece of not only Allard history but
also the history of the British Sports Car. Offers welcome and
Trades Considered For additional details please view this listing
directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7772-1956-allard-palm-beach-mkii-roadster/
