Allard Clipper 1953 – 1955
The concept of the Clipper three wheeled ‘Mini Car’ was produced by David Gottlieb of Power Drive Ltd. The Allard Motor Company were contracted to produce two prototype chassis, including a self coloured fibreglass body. While some mechanical aspects of the Clipper were viable, the single rear wheel drive coupled with the triple ‘V’ belt drive from the engine to gearbox, was not.
The prototype Clipper was tested against two of the other UK manufactured three wheelers, the Bond and the AC Petite. From this it was agreed to proceed with the manufacture at the Encon Motors workshop site in Fulham. But at this stage, production problems with the fibreglass body were far from being resolved. This caused numerous delays which required new moulds to be made. I
believe the mould damage was due to inadequate understanding of the fibreglass release agent coupled with a lack of draw angles on the steel body shell pattern. Horden and Richmond, the makers of the fibreglass body, needed to make new moulds which incurred additional costs which was not agreed to. With less than 20 cars being produced the project was cancelled.
Basic Specifications.
- Engine – 346cc air cooled Villiers two-stroke.
- Gearbox – Burman 3 speed with reverse.
- Brakes – Lockheed hydraulic.
- Suspension – trailing arm using self-damping Andre Neihart rubber suspension design.
- Rear axle – 2 road wheels with single near side rear driven wheel.
- Front axle – steerable single wheel.
- Wheels – 4.00” x 8” diameter.
- Electrical system – 12 volts, 20 amps hour battery with dynamo and starter.
- Chassis – 3.5” U section 14 swg steel channel.
- Body – Self-coloured, fibreglass.
- Fuel consumption – 70 mpg (claimed).
