1953 ALLARD. Where some of the Cadillac engines went.

[R Schroeder]

This 53 Allard came with a Cadillac engine, and a 3 speed tranny.  They were ordered with many different V-8 engines but Cadillac seemed to be the main choice.
This one is shown at our local hamburger place in town , during the summer months. Culvers in Mukwonago , Wis.
These are not cheap.
This site will explain the car.
Thought you might want to know who else Cadillac sold engines to.

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9633/Allard-J2X.aspx

[Guidematic]

Yes, these were brutally fast cars, especially in their time. The first cars with Ford V-8's were competitive, but when Cadillac and Chrysler engines were used, they simply ran away from the competition. In a straight line.

The Achilles heel of these cars was that split beam front ale. Sydney Allard took the easy way of making an IFS by simply cutting a beam axle in the middle and pivoting it. The geometry changes through the travel certainly made the car challenging to drive on a twisty coarse.

Mike

[R Schroeder]

I'll have to see if the guy will give me a ride in it, next summer.
The car looks like it weighs next to nothing.
He got the car after his father-in-law passed away. I'll bet its fun to drive with the Caddy engine in it.
Roy

[Tim Pawl CLC#4383]

If anyone is interested I have a 1953 Cadillac 331 engine, setup for manual trans includes clutch and flywheel,  a commercial chassis engine # 2S458.  Perfect for someone rebuilding or making a vintage Allard.  $1000. You pickup West Bloomfield, Michigan    Tim Pawl CLC #4383

[Jay Friedman]

I once exchanged emails with a guy who worked on them for racers.  He wrote that some Allards with Cadillac engines used relatively weak Ford 3-speed transmissions, which would need rebuilding after only one race.

[ninosdad]

Allards are so cool and fast. A neighbor has one with a Dodge Red Ram was sold to a Dodge dealer in Yakima WA. What most people do not realize is that the Allard is the father of the Cobra...Carrol Shelby was a driver for Sydney Allard. He had to quit driving dure to heart problems, he had a heart transplant eventually lived until last year. The Allard is the genisis of the Cobra Shelby saw the benefit of a light English and American power.

[R Schroeder]

Shelby lived a great life for a guy who started out with a bum ticker, and spent a lot of his youth in bed.
  New heart and kidneys, and he lived to be 89. Not bad.
This car is becoming very interesting ,as I read about it.
Roy

[Guidematic]

And delving into automotive history in general is intensely fascinating.

Mike

[R Schroeder]

Thats for sure Mike.

[Guidematic]

Here's a site that I am absolutely addicted to. Well researched and well written articles.

http://ateupwithmotor.com/index.php

Mike

[R Schroeder]

Thanks Mike.
That will fill in my boring time during the day this winter. Very interesting.
Roy