Car: Allard K3 Roadster

Year: 1953

What makes it special: Allard Motor Company Limited was a low volume car company that was out of London, England, that almost ended in just a decade. They produced about 1900 cars before they stopped trading in 1958. These lightweight British- bodied cars featured large American V8 engines before the likes of the Sunbeam Tigers or the famed A/C Cobra’s of Carroll Shelby. Both Shelby and Zora Arkus-Duntov, known for being the chief engineer of the Chevrolet Corvette both raced in Allards in the early 50’s.

What made it famous: The 1953 Allard K3 Roadster was basically an adaptation of the famed J2 and J2X models that were used on the race tracks of the time period. They were exported to the U.S. in attempt to take down Chevrolet’s Corvette, for Dodge. They were equipped with Chrysler’s most potent V8 of the time, the 331 cu in Hemi. The 331 V8 was fitted with dual 4-barrel carburetors. Unfortunately it failed to make it in the U.S. market despite it’s killer performance.

Why I would want one: If you are a fan of the lightweight British bodied, large American V8 cars like the Sunbeam or the Cobra’s, then the Allard K3 is right up your alley.

Fun fact: Today, an Allard K3 Roadster can garner big bucks at auction, around $250 K and upwards.
Powered by Dragone Classic Motor Cars

Car: Dodge Charger Hemi Super Bee Coupe

Year: 1971

What makes it special: The Super Bee was Dodge’s muscle car produced from 1968 through 1971 model years. The Super Bee name got it’s origin due to the “B-Body” designation that was given to mid-sized Chrysler models, including the Road Runner and Charger.

What made it famous: When the Dodge Coronet line moved to 4-door and station wagon body styles, the Super Bee model was moved over to the Dodge Charger platform. Being that there was an “R/T” Charger model already, the “Super Bee” Charger was promoted as the low-priced model at the time. There were distinctive features for the “Super Bee” model of 1971: It was the first and only year that a 275 hp, 4-barrel 340 Small-Block V8 was available in a Super Bee, and only 22 Dodge Charger Super Bee’s were equipped with their famous 425 hp, 426 Hemi V8 engine. The famed “Air-Grabber” hood scoop, body stripes and striped Bee logo wrapped around the rear portion of the Charger were all part of the package.

Why I would want one: The fact that it’s an extremely rare Hemi equipped model with only 22 ever made would make this a “must have” for any Mopar fan or Muscle Car collector.

Fun fact:It was Chrysler senior designer Harvey J. Winn who won an inter-corporation contest with the name “Super Bee” along with the logo design based on Dodge’s “Scat Pack Bee” medallion.
Powered by Dragone Classic Motor Cars