1948 Allard M 1 Red RWD Manual Drophead Coupe
Very rare and unique British 1948 Allard M-1 Drophead. Fully restored in 1988 and still very presentable. Runs and drives great. Ford Flathead V8 mated to a 3-speed column shift transmission.
The Allard M-1 was one of the more popular models produced by Sydney Allard’s company. They are rare with only 499 made from new and roughly 60 known to exist today. A road test of an M-1 in 1948 described it as “A Modern High-Performance Car with Exceptional Road-holding Qualities”. With this model Allard offered a sporting convertible, but with the capability to carry four passengers. Compared to Fords of the same era, the Allard had a better ride, better handling and improved performance due to the independent front suspension, improved weight distribution and a higher power to weight ratio.
With its ample ground clearance of 9 inches and its use of readily available Ford mechanical parts, the Allard M-1 was also popular in other European countries and in some of the more remote regions of the British Empire. In addition to being popular with the general public, the M was a very popular rallye car, having competed successfully throughout Europe. Four M-types competed in the 1948 Monte Carlo, winning the team prize with a near miss at an outright win. Sydney Allard won the Monte Carlo outright in 1952, but due to a ban on open cars, he drove an Allard P-1 Saloon.
Due to the Allard M-type’s provenance the car would be welcome at any of the popular vintage events. The chassis is very similar to a Ford chassis from the mid-1930’s to early 1940’s. The wheelbase is the same and the other dimensions are similar. However, the frame utilized box construction, so it is more rigid and less prone to the rust issues that plagued Fords of the era.
The engine is the same as those used in the English Ford Pilot and 1937 US made Fords. The transmission is a standard three speed Ford with column shift (unlike the diagram).
The body is coach built of aluminum over a rigid ash frame, while the fenders are steel. The overall weight is 2600 lbs. Transverse leaf springs are used front and rear, with the Ballamy split front axle to provide independent front suspension.
The ownership of this Allard is documented from new (all documentation included with the car).
Allard M-1, no. M625, was sold in London on Sept. 6, 1948 to Thomas Oliver Wacher of Canterbury, Kent, England. It was transferred to the son-in-law of Mr. Wacher, J.W. Mannington of Marden, Kent in 1974. The original log book (see scan) shows the car’s early ownership. The car remained in the same family until 1988, when it was purchased at auction by Brian Sharp of Broadway, Worcestershire. Mr. Sharp performed a complete restoration to original condition over the next several years and added it to his large and prestigious Allard collection. Much of the restoration was performed by Ken Price, a retired garage manager that worked full time caring for Mr. Sharp’s collection. The ash frame was renewed and all of the original mechanical components were rebuilt. Mr. Sharp’s collection was featured in an issue of Classic and Sportscar magazine in 1998 when he was selling off the entire collection.
The current owner acquired the M type in 1998. After touring with the car in England, Wales, Scotland and Norway, he shipped it to Tulsa, OK, USA where it currently resides. In the US it has been a welcomed participant in events of the Early Ford V8 Club and various British car clubs.
It has been driven approximately 5,000 miles since restoration, always garaged and currently shows 58,600 miles from new. I would describe the car as driver quality and showing signs of a car restored over 30 years ago. All electrical and mechanical components of the car work, except for the fuel gauge which is currently not operable.
Price: $47,500
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Seller's other items: lieberino
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
