Lot 614: Allard Safari Estate

After WW2, Sydney Allard progressed from special-builder to motor manufacturer, though the latter activity was really little more than a means of financing the company�s competition programme. Post-war Allards combined the same virtues of light weight, independent front suspension and an abundance of American V8 power that had been features of that first trials special of the mid-1930s. These favourable characteristics enabled Allard to establish a formidable competition record in the immediate post-war years, Sydney himself finishing 3rd at Le Mans in a J2 two-seater and winning the 1952 Monte Carlo Rally outright in a P1 saloon.
Following the P1�s success, the P2 Monte Carlo saloon was introduced featuring the K3 sports car�s tubular chassis, coil-sprung front suspension and De Dion rear axle. This suspension arrangement had been developed in the J2 sports-racer, endowing the P2 and its Safari estate car variant with superb roadholding. Only 11 P2 saloons and 10 Safari estates were built between 1952 and 1955, the car offered here being one of only four of the latter known to survive worldwide.
Chassis number �P2-4506� was imported new to the USA by Denver Imported Motors Inc, of Colorado and first owned by Denver resident, Mrs Caroline L Paquin Madison. The right-hand drive chassis was shipped without engine, a Cadillac V8 being fitted after its arrival. In the early 1960s the Safari passed into the ownership of Richard H Zacks� �Automobiles of Distinction� in East Pennsylvania. In late 1978 Zacks sold the car to Martin Johnson, of Johnson Wild & Co, Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire. The Safari returned to the UK in January 1979 and was sold one month later to the current owner, an ex-Allard team driver.
Over the course of the past almost-30 years the car has been treated to extensive refurbishment by recognised specialists, including an engine rebuild by Vic Cartmell, of Tarleton, Lancashire, with restoration of the chassis and bodywork entrusted to Peter Wilford, of Hilldale, Lancs. Not run since the rebuild, the engine still turns freely and boasts a new exhaust system. The clutch and Chevrolet manual gearbox likewise are new, while the differential is a used Jaguar unit (original available).
Extensively renovated, the running gear has been up-rated with modified hubs, centre-lock wire wheels and Jaguar E-Type Series 2 disc brakes. Much of the body�s timber framework and plywood panelling has been remanufactured, many sections renewed (including sills, floors and rear inner wheelarches) and the bonnet and rear wings repaired as required. The instruments are original (in a new panel) while the interior headlining has been replaced and the rear seats re-upholstered. Other tasks completed include rewiring the electrics and fitting a new windscreen, side windows and re-coring the radiator. The car is as yet unfinished, but once completed would reward the fortunate new owner with a rare specimen of one of this country�s great sporting marques. The car is offered with build details, import documentation, bill of sale (1979), assorted correspondence and some items of Allard-related literature. No reserve.