Description
June 2024 marked the first time in our 33-year history we had owned an Allard, 2 years later we present this extremely rare L-Type to the market. Though the Allard company produced a relatively small number of cars, it is surprising that here in the UK, examples of this lesser-known British Marque have not commanded the higher prices of their mass-produced contemporaries.
The company's founder, Sydney Allard has the distinction of being the only Monte-Carlo Rally winner to have manufactured a car in which he competed. Back in 1952 Allard was widely celebrated having produced the first British Monte-Carlo win in 21 years. Allard's first car was built in 1936, and he had become renowned as a very successful trials and hill-climb driver in the pre-war years. About a dozen cars were built for customers of his London garage, based on his very competitive first car before the war. Allard had a works in Clapham, and they had a very busy time during the war maintaining Jeeps and V8 Fords. After the hostilities Sydney became a manufacturer, an activity which supported his keen motor sport competition. The name Allard became synonymous with big, powerful American engines in his own chassis design and in total Allard built over 1900 cars. American collectors value this marque highly and an Allard J2X raced by Carroll Shelby achieved a record $626, 000 at Monterey in 2022. It is reported that Shelby took his inspiration for the iconic AC Cobra from Allard's English cars with big American V8s.
Our L-Type has a humbler price tag, but we believe this is one British marque which has a way to go in terms of values and desirability. In the very comprehensive history file is a copy of Classic & Sportscar Magazine's 1989, 4-page feature on the astonishing restoration project which produced our now wonderfully patinated example. We have a history file right back to new with both buff and green logbooks. The work was superbly done by a craftsman. The cost of the project documented in the magazine would be an eye watering figure today. The original owner was a Scottish doctor from Paisley and subsequent owners are documented. The documents include a genuine original owners handbook. What makes these cars so much fun is the 3. 6 Litre Ford V8, the Pilot engine which Allard bought from Ford in the UK. This, with the Pilot's three speed gearbox and very sturdy axle came from Ford Dagenham's postwar flagship saloon. The chassis with independent front suspension is of Allard's own design. This open car with very good weather equipment has what we would describe as 2+2 seating and is great fun to drive. The car is bigger than it may appear in pictures and on the road, the driver sits about 9 feet behind the front bumper!
It returns to us from a small collection of British classic cars. We are very fortunate to have in our technical team at Malton Coachworks a renowned Ford Pilot specialist who carried out a service and a thorough health check when we sold the car in 2024. The lusty flat-head V8 starts instantly and literally barks into life with superb oil pressure. It sounds great and is really quite quick for the era, apparently capable of 85MPH in 1948! The gearbox and axle exhibit no bearing noise, and the Pilot brakes are effective.
This really is one not to be missed, tremendous value at £29, 995
