The history of Sydney Allard and his cars is fascinating. Like many other independent British automakers of the postwar period, he produced extraordinary vehicles. But only in tiny numbers. A shining example is the 1948 Allard M-1 Drophead Coupe, offered on eBay.
The 1948 model was streamlined. There are no running boards.
Allard was far from a volume carmaker. But he produced true landmarks like the race-winning J2 and the K2 - opens in new window or tab., with Cadillac and Chrysler power. The Allard M-1 Drophead Coupe was not the same kind of fire-breather. It was powered by an 85-horsepower, 3.6-liter Ford flathead V-8.
By the way, the year that Allard built this car, American manufacturers were leaving the flatheads behind and going to overhead-valve V-8s.
The motor came from the Ford Pilot, derived from American Ford flatheads of the late 1930s.
The M-1 was always rare—just 499 were produced. And now only about 60 exist, including the example on eBay with a $44,500 Buy-It-Now price.
The Allard M-1 Is a Civilized Car
While no J2, the M-1 was successful in rallying. That’s due to this formula:
- An independent front suspension (with transverse-leaf springs to the rear)
- It tipped the scale at a scant 2,600 pounds. The body was in aluminum over an ash wood frame, with steel fenders.
- A streamlined body with no running boards
A “drophead coupe” is more civilized than a roadster in that it has roll-up windows instead of side curtains.
Hardly a racer by today’s standards, it shifts via a column “three on the tree.”
The interior is traditional British, leather and wood.
This was Allard’s first “civilized” car, with an interior featuring leather seats front and rear and a polished wooden dashboard. There’s some resemblance to the Jaguar Mark V (1948-51), especially around the fender skirts.
The “drophead coupe” designation (also used by Jaguar) refers to a convertible with roll-up windows instead of side curtains.
A Cross-Atlantic Allard M-1
The car for sale on eBay retains its British license plate. And its history.
Thomas Oliver Watcher of Canterbury in Kent originally owned the car. Then he transferred it to his son-in-law in 1974. In 1988, it was sold at auction to Brian Sharp of Worcestershire. He performed a full English restoration (including the ash framing) that the car still proudly wears. It looks smart.
The first American owner toured the car around Great Britain (and all the way to Norway). Then he had it shipped to Oklahoma, where it still resides. The Allard takes part in Early Ford V-8 Club meets and British car gatherings.
The US owner added only 5,000 miles since the restoration. The odometer now shows 58,600 miles. The Allard has been garaged for most of its life.
Broken In and Ready to Run
The vendor describes the rare Allard as “driver quality,” with some knocks and nicks from 30 years of use. All the electric and mechanical systems are functional, with the single exception of the fuel gauge.
Another great thing about this car is that it’s “broken in.” The new owner shouldn’t hesitate to use it. The mechanicals are mass-produced Ford items, with some specific to the English cars. Others are swappable.
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