This 1953 Allard K3 is one of just over 60 examples sold from 1952-1954 and has been in the US since its May 1953 shipment to Noel Kirk Motors in Los Angeles. Allard Motor Company produced sports racers that proved successful in international competition during the 1950s, including at Le Mans and in the Monte Carlo Rally. The K3 was a touring car based on the underpinnings of the successful J2 racer and typically fitted with a large American engine, here a 331ci Cadillac V8. This refurbished example stayed in California through its first three owners and has spent the last five years in the Indiana collection of the seller. It is sold with a convertible top and matching tonneau cover, partial records, a small collection of spares, and a clean Indiana title.

The second owner began preparing car #3182 for a repaint and engine rebuild, a project which stalled due to his passing and was completed by subsequent owners. The fully faired body was removed and stripped to bare aluminum, which was said to remain in good condition at the time. An exterior repaint was carried out in American Motors Oriental Red, while the chassis and inner panels were refinished in satin black.

Painted knock-off wire wheels were sourced from Allard in the UK and are mounted with period-style Dunlop rubber. Brightwork, lenses, and badging are detailed in close-up photos. A fabric top and folding frame are included as is a matching black tonneau cover, with all shown installed in photos. A set of partial side curtains is also pictured below.

Interior upholstery was refurbished in its original color by Ogden Top and Trim in Chicago using the factory pieces as patterns. Vintage-style materials were used for the door panels and three-place bench seat, while the worn original dash was repaired and a duplicate was made by Haneline Products circa 2007. The K3 featured a trunk in a nod toward its touring intentions, here containing a spare wire wheel and tire along with a jack and knock-off hammer.

Controls date from various periods, including a four-spoke banjo wheel and period switchgear mounted in an engine-turned aluminum panel. Smiths and Lucas instrumentation consists of an original combination gauge as well as a speedometer and 12-cylinder tach similar to those from a late Jaguar XKE. All were sent to Palo Alto Speedometer for refreshment by the fourth owner. Little mileage has been added since and the odometer currently shows 59 miles, a handful of which have been driven by the seller. Total mileage is unknown.

The majority of K3s were sent to the US without engines in order to allow customers to customize their vehicles. This example was shipped to Noel Kirk “equipped with modifications for a Cadillac engine” according to research conducted for the seller by The Allard Register. The current 331ci Cadillac V8 was rebuilt by the third owner in the late 1990s with .060″ oversized pistons and an Elgin race cam as well as new valves, springs, and lifters. Induction is currently from a single 4-barrel carburetor, though a dual-quad intake manifold is also included.

A subsequent owner added a new fuel pump, generator, and other items. The original radiator was flushed, cleaned and pressure tested as were both fuel tanks. Shifting is through an automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels via a rebuilt driveshaft.

Underbody photos show condition of the drivetrain, suspension, wood floors, and reinforced chromoly-tube chassis. Suspension consists of a coil-sprung split beam front axle and deDion rear end. Four-wheel drum brakes are inboard at the rear and were refreshed with new wheel cylinders and hoses. The car has been generally maintained by the seller’s personal mechanic during its time in his collection.

The sale includes a small collection of spares as shown below. Some paperwork will be provided in reference to the bodywork, paint, and wheels, though engine rebuild documentation is unavailable.