The Allard P1 (known when new more often than not simply as the Allard 3.6-litre Saloon) is a five-seater two-door sports saloon produced by the British Allard Motor Company between 1949 and 1952. 155 Allard P1s were built.
| Allard P1 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Allard Motor Company |
| Production |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door saloon |
| Related | Allard M |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual[2] |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 186 in (4,724 mm) [2] |
| Width | 71 in (1,803 mm)[2] |
| Height | 60 in (1,524 mm)[2] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | none |
| Successor | Allard P2 |
The cars used Ford engines and transmissions. This helped reduce problems finding service support and parts for cars exported to the US which was a key export market for Allard and other UK makers of larger cars in the 1950s.[1]
A car tested by the British magazine The Autocar in 1949 recorded a top speed of 84.5 mph (136.0 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 23.4 seconds. A fuel consumption of 17 miles per imperial gallon (17 L/100 km; 14 mpg‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £1277 including taxes.[4] The Competition Series version received Mercury's 4.4 litre V8 engine with 115 hp (86 kW); if this did not suffice then various aftermarket parts from companies such as Edelbrock or Edmunds could be specified.
Unusually in a car of post-war design, the Allard featured a windscreen hinged at the top, which could be opened "by means of a central toggle mechanism".[4] Interior fittings displayed unusual attention to detail by the car's designers, with good interior storage including a packages shelf under the fascia and "pockets formed...in the thickness of the doors".[4] Instrumentation included, in addition to a choke control, a "screw-type hand throttle" as well as a switch for a light in the engine compartment.[4]
A heater that drew fresh air from the outside was included as a standard feature on exported cars, and was offered as an optional extra for the domestic market.[4]
In 1952 an Allard P1, driven by Sydney Allard himself, along with Guy Warburton, won the Monte Carlo Rally. Tom Lush was the navigator.
References
edit- ^ a b Acuña, Evan. "1951 Allard P1". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Second Hand car guide supplement". Practical Motorist. vol. 6 Nbr 68: between pages 768 & 769. April 1960.
- ^ "Allard P1". Motorbase. Classic Vehicles Limited. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
- ^ a b c d e "3.6-litre Allard Saloon". Autocar. 26 August 1949.