The Allard was English....at least the original one was. Built by Sydney Allard.

The original had independent front suspension created by sawing a ford beam axle in two and making it pivot in the center.....a primitive swing axle for the front suspension. It gave them a reputation for being a bit evil to drive. Apparently the car steered itself when going over bumps and dips.

Shelby was good enough to figure it out and not be intimidated by them. He also raced some of the mid fifties big engine Ferraris which also had a reputation for being a bit evil....before winning LeMans with Roy Salvadori in an Aston Martin and having to quit because of a weak heart.

in retirement he decided to build a car with an English chassis and an American v8, of course, the Cobra.

The rest is history.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.