Allard K1 Ford 221
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Car producer : |
Allard |
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Model: |
K1 Ford 221 |
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Year: |
1948-1950 |
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Type: |
Roadster |
The first Allard cars were built specifically to compete in Trials events – timed rally-like events on terrain almost impassable by wheeled vehicles. The first Allard was powered by a Ford flathead V8 in a body mostly sourced from a Bugatti racer. It used the American engine's high torque to great effect in slow-speed competition.
Further Allards were soon built to order with a variety of large, Ford-sourced engines, including Lincoln-Zephyr V12 powerplants. By the outbreak of war in 1939 twelve Allard Specials had been built. Sydney Allard's planned volume production was pre-empted by work on Ford-based trucks during the conflict. By its end, Allard had built up a substantial inventory of Ford parts.
Using its inventory of easy-to-service Ford mechanicals built up during World War II and bodywork of Allard's own design, three post-war models were introduced: the J, a competition sports car; the K, a slightly larger car intended for road use, and the four seater L. Sales were fairly brisk for a low-volume car, and demand was high for cars in general, which led to the introduction of several larger models, the drophead coupe M and P.
J – Competition, K – Larger road use, L – 4 seater, M,P – DHC.
In 1946, with plenty of engines and parts from this work on hand but no government contracts, Allard introduced a car that would appeal to the burgeoning post-war sports car market. The first of what would become many legendary Allard sports cars was the K1, which was a two-seater on a box-section frame with transverse leaf springing, and it had either Ford or Mercury flathead V-8 power and a torque-tube driveshaft. It was light and powerful and boasted superb acceleration. Some 151 K1s were built.
