1951 Allard P1

Allard produced the P1 and P2 from 1949 to 1954. They were designed by company founder Sydney Allard and are 5-seat saloons with 2 doors. Both have a front-mounted engine driving the rear wheels.

The Allard P1, also known as the Allard 3.6-litre saloon, was built from 1949 to 1951 and is underpinned by a box section chassis shared, at varying lengths, with other Allards of the time. The P1 has an enclosed body very much of its time, being a transition from the traditional style of the pre-war years to the fully rounded forms of the 1950s and 1960s. As such it combines a low, streamlined radiator and contemporary cabin with separate front wings. The front suspension is independent and was developed by racing car designer Leslie Bellamy. Ingeniously it consists of a standard Ford beam axle cut in half and used to form lower arms with the transverse leaf spring acting as the upper arm, movement being controlled by long radius arms. The rear suspension is provided through a conventional Ford live axle with a transverse leaf spring, mounted using a torque tube. Brakes are hydraulically operated and consist of drums all round. The Allard P1 was fitted with the Ford flat head V-8 as standard but the Competition model has the Mercury V-8.

The 1953 model year saw the introduction of the Allard P2, which remained current until 1954. It was produced as a 2-door saloon, the “Monte Carlo” and a wood sided shooting brake, the “Safari.” The P2 updated the looks with all enveloping bodywork, a more up-to-date radiator inlet and by losing the anachronistic opening windscreen. Under the skin the handling was improved by the adoption of a de Dion rear axle and coil springs all round. The Allard P2 was as slow a seller as the P1 was popular.

The Allard P1’s standard Ford engine is a V-8 of 3622 cc or 221 cubic inches and is naturally aspirated. As a performance saloon sold to enthusiasts naturally many have received in period modifications. The competition version of the Allard P1 also runs on carburettors but has the Mercury V-8 of 4375 cc or 267 cubic inches. The Allard P2 was produced with these engines as well as adding the Cadillac and Lincoln V-8s to the line-up. All variants drive through a Ford 3-speed manual gearbox to a Ford final drive with an automatic gearbox offered for the P2.

The Allard P1 and P2, with their relatively sophisticated suspension and big engines are very quick cars for the late 1940s through the mid-1950s. The P1 has a well-thought-out interior with lots of storage space, which makes it a useful touring car. In fact Sydney Allard remains the only person to have won the Monte Carlo rally in a car of their own design, having driven a P1 in the 1952 event. The downside is that you can expect a hefty fuel bill for all this performance. The small numbers of cars remaining mean that specific parts aren't readily available, although the mass produced nature of major components point to an adequate supply of most spares. The Allard P Series cars are also mechanically simple, which outweighs their specialist nature to some degree.

The small number of these cars available means that it is difficult to see a definite pattern for the Allard P1 and P2. The super-rare nature of the P2 does make these more difficult to find than the P1 though. Personal preference and low numbers may well make technical specification and age a matter of minor importance.

Sporting saloons of the era include the Jensen PW, the Bristol 400 and the Alvis Grey Lady.