1951 Allard K2

This particular 1951 Allard K2 is chassis number 2149 and was ordered new on the 12th June 1950. The Allard Owners Club record, which is available in the history file below, notes that the K2 was distributed by Bristol Street Motors of Birmingham. Production commenced on 6th June 1951 and it was delivered on the 2nd August 1951 to its first owner, R.H. Bailey of Worcestershire. Mr Bailey ordered his K2 in Pacific Green with a black all weather hood and a Ford V8 under the bonnet. He also specified a green interior and chose standard wheels along with a standard axle and a standard 3 speed manual gearbox.

Today the Allard K2 presents in a very similar specification to how it left the Allard factory in 1951, with some modifications and upgrades to make it more usable on today's roads.

There is something very appealing about a road legal, hill climb focused classic race car, especially one that wears its patina with pride. As mentioned above this particular K2 was ordered in the shade of Pacific Green which is the colour it wears today.

As you will see in the photos the paint is showing its age in places with some cracking and crazing, plus a number of dings and scratches. These have been collected over many years and the current owner decided to keep the car as is, with all its scars and blemishes proudly on show.

The one area that will need attention going forward is a crack in the body work on the passenger side sill. However the rest of the Allard’s curvaceous coachwork is all present and intact.

The K2 still wears a set of standard wheel rims and these are in nice shape and have been fitted with a set of period correct Blockley tires.

When the current owner acquired the car it had its original front and rear bumpers fitted. They decided to remove all of the bumper bright work, as they weren’t keen on the look, which clutters the front end of the car. They also wanted to save some weight for hill climb events. You can believe us when we say that the K2’s chrome bumpers and spot lights do weigh quite a bit and for competition events, every little bit of weight saved is a blessing. Of course should the new owner wish to reinstate the K2’s brightwork, they can do so as the parts will come with the car. They may decide to have the chrome redone as it is currently in a rusty condition. But it is all present and intact.

The current owner has retained overriders on the front and has fitted a vertical timing strut for hill climbs.

A leather bonnet strap continues the period competition look.

Also present and intact is the Allard all weather gear which includes a tonneau cover, a fitted hood and side screens. These accessories are essential for those long distance road trips and classic car tours, which this K2 is ideally suited for.

The interior of the Allard K2 is finished in green leather which has been re-trimmed by the current owner and presents in very nice condition indeed. The interior refresh included new leather for the door cards, which included retaining the all important lighting bolt pattern.

All the gauges are present and intact and the owner confirms they work as they should, especially the oil pressure gauge.

And the crowning jewel of the dashboard is the K2’s Bluemels of Brooklands vintage style steering wheel, which completes the race car look.

The rest of the interior remains as spartan as Sydney Allard intended, which is what we like to see.

Under the bonnet resides a recently rebuilt 3917cc Ford flat head V8 engine. The owner goes on to tell us that it has a 21 stud head and is fitted with twin Ford carburettors. These have been dressed with a pair of neat chrome air cleaners.

The K2 has been mechanically looked after by the current owner since they acquired it in 2016, with numerous invoices on file documenting ongoing maintenance and improvements in recent years.

These include the 21 stud engine which was brought with approximately 3000 miles already on the clock. This was brought from a gentleman who had removed it from his Allard.

The owner also recently upgraded to a 4 speed Moss gearbox (spending £1,500 on the gearbox and engine), this conversation was completed by Just Historic. We have been told that this change has greatly improved the drivability of the K2, both on the open road and for hill climbs as well.

Much of the works carried out on the K2 are documented in a series of invoices and hand written notes. The K2’s radiator has been recorded and the fuel tank has been replaced and the electrical system, including the distributor has been repaired. Some of the invoices note that the K2 was upgraded to electronic ignition but this appears to have caused running issues and it has now be returned to standard.

The Allard also sports a custom stainless steel exhaust which was fitted in July 2017 at a cost of £1,200.

We can confirm the V8 engine fired up on the button for the photo shoot and has that fantastic sound that only a flathead V8 can make.

The Allard comes with a nice history file with a selection of old invoices, hand written notes and letters going back many years.

One interesting letter from 1993 notes the cars first owner in 1951, its build specification and the revelation that the K2 was repainted pearlescent pink by a car dealer, to whom the first owner sold the car back. Of all the crimes against automobiles, painting an Allard pink must be pretty high on the list. Thankfully it appears this garish colour didn’t last long as the letter notes it was resprayed green not long after.

Also of interest are a selection of old photos which show the K2 being restored. It is not known when these were taken but it was possibly at some point in the 1970s.

The Allard K2 has the V5C in the owners name, an old buff style log book and it comes with one set of keys.

When it came to bare bones competition car design, Allard was very much ahead of the game in the post war period. While some of the K2’s build may at first appear simplistic, its strong yet clever chassis and the DeDion independent rear suspension meant the Allard was years ahead of its rivals. And then of course there is the American sourced V8 muscle that sits up front, providing the power and grunt that makes the Allard K2 a potent weapon both on the open road and on the track. This 1951 Allard K2 has been maintained by its current owner and thoroughly enjoyed at hill climbs and race events at Prescott and Crystal Palace. This rare, distinctive and awesome sounding British sports car is now ready to be enjoyed by its new owner. We are confident to offer it with an estimate of £69,000-£74,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Rochester, Kent. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.