27 Allard Clipper Press Release: October 18, 1954 The following story was released on October 18th, 1954 as a press release to motor journals and newspapers. Britain’s First Plastic Car: New Allard 3-Wheeler “What a feather in the British Motor Industry’s cap if it can produce a ‘Comet’ of the motor world, and by that I do not mean just another fast car, but something really revolutionary in price and overall performance.” His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, 1953 With these words His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, set a challenge to Britain’s Motor Industry. This challenge has been taken up, and now, just one year later, has been answered by the Allard Motor Company with the announcement of its new Allard Clipper 3-wheeler. Here is a car which indeed fulfills the Duke’s appeal for something really revolutionary, in price, performance and design. Revolutionary in price, it brings family motoring within the reach of all, for, believe it or not, this five-seater capable of accommodating in comfort 3 adults and 2 children, sells at 255 guineas (this is equivalent to 267 pounds in 1954 or approximately $9500 US dollars in 2025) including purchase tax. Revolutionary in performance, it moves instantaneously and effortlessly from start to its cruising speed of 40 mph. With a petrol consumption of 70 miles per gallon, it really does bring family motoring costs down to rock bottom. But it is in its design that the Clipper produces the greatest revolution of all, for it introduces for the first time to Britain, and, within its price range, for the first time anywhere, an all plastic molded body. The Clipper body, with its elegant modern streamlining, represents the very latest advance in coachbuilding techniques. Made of self-colored resin bonded fiberglass, and manufactured by a process hitherto only used in aircraft construction, it is stronger than steel, and has a colossal impact strength. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
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