1956 Allard Palm Beach

Allard much like Ferrari and Porsche emerged as a significant name during the Automotive Renaissance the period immediately following World War II. These three marques owed their existence to a shared passion for motor racing driven by visionary leaders. While Ferrari and Porsche became known for their engineering design and aesthetic finesse Sydney Allards approach was starkly utilitarian. Allards cars focused on harnessing brute torque and horsepower emphasizing functionality over form.For most classic car enthusiasts remembering Allards various models can be challenging except for notable ones like the cycle-winged Cadillac V8-powered J2 and the P1 Saloon. The P1 Saloon famously driven by Sydney Allard to victory in the 1952 Monte Carlo Rally remains a significant highlight as he is the only person to win this rally in a car of his own manufacture. Allard produced a variety of sports cars primarily for racing often equipped with the side-valve 3.6-litre Ford V8 or the larger Cadillac engine.In 1952 Allard introduced the Palm Beach aiming to streamline their range. The Palm Beach featured a handmade full-width aluminum body essentially a shorter version of the new K3 sports car body. Initially powered by an overhead-valve engine from the Ford Consul (4-cylinder) or Zephyr (6-cylinder) the Palm Beach aimed to appeal to the US market. However its design while fresh and modern lacked the curvaceous appeal seen in contemporary models like the Healey and MGA.Robert Forsyth from Allards New York office redesigned the Palm Beach to better fit American tastes proposing a Dodge Red Ram V8 engine. Unfortunately this never came to fruition. The prototype MK 2 Palm Beach debuted at the 1956 Earls Court Motor Show showcasing divided axle front suspension live Salisbury rear axle and a six-cylinder 2553cc Ford engine coupled to a Ford four-speed gearbox. Despite positive reception the model failed to generate anticipated orders leading to its discontinuation after only six units were produced by 1958.After its debut the prototype MK 2 Palm Beach served as an Allard demonstrator before passing through several hands including Brian Howard a manager of the Allard Motor Company then to Walter Hemsworth in 1968 and subsequently onto Peter Hemsworth in whose ownership it was put into storage around 1976. In 2012 Alan and Lloyd Allard Sydneys son and grandson formed the Allard Sports Car Company with a view to the revival of Allard as a sports car manufacturer once again after a gap of some 56 years. With this revival in mind and the possibility of producing a continuation model a Palm Beach MK 3 Alan Allard purchased the MK 2 from Peter Hemsworth in 2012. Lloyd and Alan then conducted a full restoration and as no drawings or patterns were in existence they took the opportunity to create their own. The entire car was disassembled and a wooden framework formed to keep everything in place. They hoped to use as much of the original car as possible but nearly everything made of wood rubber leather or fabric was rotted beyond redemption. The aluminum body panels hand beaten by Jack Jackman some 58 years ago had survived well beneath layers of paint and filler but the steel bulkhead inner wings and fuel tank less so. Lloyds metal fabrication skills enabled him to make all the corroded steel sheets with the correct ribs and swages and he also built the double tube bumpers. The engine rebuild was subcontracted as were the final body preparation and paint in Carmine Red plus the smart new interior in cream and red and the car was also upgraded at this time to a modern 5 speed gearbox. The finished article was on display at the NEC Classic Car Show in 2014 and Octane Magazine published an excellent seven-page article including a road test in the January 2015 issue.The most recent owner acquired the car in 2019 and imported it to the US where it joined a significant Midwest sportscar collection featuring several examples of the Allard marque. Since its restoration the Palm Beach has been pampered and remains in excellent condition. Included in the sale is correspondence with Lloyd Allard restoration photos and even an original factory brochure.This significant Allard the original prototype and the first of only six built was meticulously restored by Sydney Allards son and grandson with assistance from some of the original factory engineers. It represents a rare opportunity for the serious collector to acquire a unique piece of not only Allard history but also the history of the British Sports Car. Offers welcome and Trades ConsideredFor additional details please view this listing directly on our website https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7772-1956-allard-palm-beach-mkii-roadster/