Introduced in 1952, the Allard P2 Safari Estate car was designed to accommodate six people and 45 cubic feet of luggage (or 95 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down).

The work of Dudley Hume, David Hooper, Sydney Allard and Reg Canham, its tubular chassis frame was equipped with J2X-type independent front suspension, a De Dion back axle, Marles cam-gear steering and Lockheed 12'' drum brakes.

Available with a choice of Ford, Cadillac or Chrysler V8 engines allied to a 3-speed manual transmission, the newcomer's performance belied its generous dimensions.

In the years immediately following WWII, steel was in short supply, amongst many other things, however, what was not in short supply was aluminium sheeting (from dismantled aircraft) and carpentry skills (no longer required building Wellington bombers and, happily, fewer coffins were required).

Car manufacturers were resurrecting pre-war models but the lack of fresh steel was a problem so one or two enterprising builders went ...