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354 N1952 Allard K2 RoadsterChassis no. K2 3126Using a crashed Ford V8 coupe on to which he had grafted the bodyfrom a Grand Prix Bugatti, racing driver Sydney Allard constructedone of the most unlikely of all pre-war trials specials. Nevertheless,the Allard Special’s lightweight construction and relatively powerfulAmerican V8 engine, although not the first such combination,demonstrated the formula’s potential and provided the inspiration forfuture imitators, including Carroll Shelby who acknowledged Allard’sinfluence on the Cobra.After WW2, Allard progressed from special-builder to motormanufacturer, though the latter activity was really little more thana means of financing the company’s competition programme.Allard’s post-war cars combined the same virtues of light weight,independent front suspension and an abundance of American V8power, which had been features of that first trials special of the mid-1930s. These favourable characteristics enabled Allard to establisha formidable competition record in the immediate post-war years.Despite its small size and limited resources, Allard’s achievementswere legion, Sydney himself finishing 3rd at Le Mans in a J2 sportsracerand winning the Monte Carlo Rally outright in a P-Type saloon.252 | Goodwood festival of speed