This 1949 Allard M1 Drophead Coupe is said to have been initially sold in the United Kingdom and relocated to Toronto, Canada, by the original owner in the early 1950s. Chassis 1075B reportedly remained at the Canadian Automotive Museum in Oshawa, Ontario, for several decades before being sold to a private party, and it was later acquired by the seller’s father in 2017. The car was subsequently refinished in silver and fitted with a gray convertible top prior to securing first place in its class and a President’s Choice award at the 2018 Brits-in-the-Park gathering in Lindsay, Ontario. Power is provided by a 221ci Ford Flathead V8 mated to a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission. It rides on 16″ steel wheels and is further equipped with rear-hinged doors, Smiths instrumentation, and a banjo-style steering wheel. This Allard M1 Drophead is now offered in Canada by the seller on behalf of their father’s estate with Ontario registration.
Sydney Allard’s formula of American V8 power in a lightweight chassis led to victories in rally competition, and M-type cars won the team award in Monte Carlo in 1949. The road-going M1 was built to subsidize Sydney Allard’s racing efforts and featured aluminum bodywork with steel fenders mounted over a rigid box chassis. This example was refinished in its current silver metallic with black fenders under current ownership, at which time a replacement gray convertible top was also installed. Further exterior details include a bright grille and bumpers as well as dual fender-mounted side mirrors and rear-hinged side doors. The seller notes blemishes in the finish as well as pitted side windows and a chip in the chrome finish on the rear bumper. The trafficators do not work.
Gray-finished 16″ steel wheels with polished hubcaps are mounted with Coker Classic whitewall tires, while a matching spare wheel wrapped in an older tire is stored in the trunk compartment. Suspension is handled by transverse leaf springs in the rear, with independent front suspension provided by a Ballamy swing axle. Stopping power is provided by four-wheel drum brakes.
The right-hand-drive cabin houses front bucket seats and a rear bench trimmed in maroon leather that exhibits wear and creasing. Color-coordinated upholstery trims the door panels, which feature wood trim that extends to the dashboard and A-pillars. Appointments include a dash-mounted rearview mirror, map pockets, and red carpets.
The banjo-style steering wheel fronts Smiths instrumentation including a 100-mph speedometer with an inset clock as well as auxiliary gauges monitoring oil pressure, water temperature, amperage, and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows 39k miles, approximately 300 of which were added under current ownership.
The 221ci Ford Flathead V8 features 21-stud cylinder heads and breathes through a single carburetor with a Burgess air cleaner. A 12-volt conversion was carried out, and the seller notes that the battery cover has been replaced. The fuel system was reportedly serviced in July 2024.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual transmission.
The type and chassis number stamped on the chassis plate combine to read “81M1075B”, while the VIN listed on the Ontario registration document reads “8171075”. The vehicle does not have a title and is being sold on its Ontario registration, which serves as the ownership document in Ontario, Canada.