Sydney Allard’s K3 launched at the 1952 London Motor Show as a valiant attempt to civilize the J2-X range without losing its burly V-8 character.

The K-3’s twin-tube steel chassis featured the familiar semi-independent swing axle front end and a proper DeDion rear axle with inboard-mounted drum brakes.

The full-width alloy coachwork was a vast improvement over the racier J2.

The single bench seat—a full 56 inches wide—could accommodate three friendly adults, with a clever off-set gearshift lever located close to the driver, clearing floorspace for the middle passenger.

Additional features designed to make the K3 more practical included locating its twin fuel tanks in the rear fenders to create more trunk space, wind-up glass windows, and a real cloth convertible top that folded out of sight behind the rear seats.

Clearly Allard had the North American market in mind when he specified the K3 model range, as 57 of the 62 examples built ended up crossing the Atlantic.

The majority of...