1950 Allard J2 Roadster

English Chassis, American Power
Sydney Allard an avid automobile racer and Ford dealer in London produced 1,900 cars from 1946 to 1959. Most of these were family cars for the domestic market, but he also produced fewer than 200 J-series Allards, intended for competition. A majority of the J-series cars were exported, without engines, mostly to the United States where modern American V-8s were installed.

The J2 was an evolution from a long line of sports racers produced by racing enthusiasts Sydney Allard. He won the 1952 Monte Carlo rally and his lightweight race cars became popular in the United States.

Several engines were available, including a Ford 239 cubic-inch V-8, a Cadillac 331 cubic-inch V-8, and a Chrysler 331 cubic-inch Hemi V-8, which is installed in this car.

J2 Allards were built between 1950 and 1951. The combination of a light car and a powerful engine resulted in a potent performance, and they dominated the racing scene for this brief period. Mostly Cadillac engines were installed, but Ford and Chrysler's engines were sometimes fitted. (The factory would install the requested engine mounts before shipping the engineless car.) Only 89 J2 Allards were built and perhaps a couple of dozen have survived.

The J2 Allard displayed was shipped to the US in the summer of 1950 less engine, transmission, wheels, instruments, and electrics. The car was shipped in a crate to Los Angeles in August of 1950. The buyer, Col. Charles Steinmetz, installed a Mercury Ardun engine and raced it at Pebble Beach in 1951. No further history of the car is known other than that it was sold later in 1951. It is also believed to have raced at Sebring in 1958. The previous owner purchased it in 1963, with the present 1951 Chrysler engine installed. He raced it for several years in vintage car racing and had the car professionally restored in 2003. This car was awarded a Car & Driver Award at the Amelia Island Concours - 'Car we would most like to drive.'