1952 Allard J2X Roadster

Many chassis components of the Sidney Allard-built cars were sourced from the Ford parts bin, a plentiful asset he owned as part of being a large Ford dealership. The dual swing axle front suspension was used on nearly all Allard vehicles, and this setup would be familiar to any Ford truck mechanic. The advantage of swing axles, compared to the conventional live axle setup, helped reduce unsprung weight since the differential was mounted to the chassis. Another advantage was its independent camber operation as each wheel reacted to irregularities of road surfaces independently. This allowed Allard's vehicles to easily plow their way through obstacles and mud holes on early racing trials.

Among the many accolades, Allard vehicles achieved in motorsports was a victory in the 1952 Monte Carlo Rally and at the 1949 British Hill Climb Championship, a third-place finish at Le Mans in 1950, and a victory in its first international race - the Watkins Glen GP.

Between 1950 and 1951, Mr. Allard built 99 examples of the J2 model and 83 of the J2X built in 1951 and 1952. Compared to the J2, the J2X had its engine moved forward 7.5 inches to accommodate a larger cockpit, and its front suspension received a modification. The De Dion coil-sprung rear axle and inboard brakes of the J2 were carried over unchanged.

This particular J2X was delivered new in 1952 to a San Antonio Oilman, who reportedly acquired it as a daily driver for his wife. The vehicle did not appeal to her and it was soon sold to its second owner, Jon Doyle, who part exchanged his wife's XK120 against it. Again, the vehicle's minimalistic characteristics and brutish persona did not agree with typical road-going daily driving, and although Mrs. Doyle did not appreciate its capabilities, it is believed that Mr. Doyle was able to explore its potential as he raced the car for a few years. Initially, Mr. Doyle raced the Allard with a Chrysler Hemi, but that was later replaced by a Cadillac 331 in 1957.

Mr. Bill Bauder acquired the Allard in 1960 and would retain it for five decades. During one of its race outings in 1962, the Caddy engine blew a head gasket. Mr. Bauder turned to Holman and Moody who secured a Ford 406 Nascar engine as a replacement. This 550-horsepower powerplant has resided under the bonnet for the past six decades.

After racing the car for many years, Mr. Bauder elected to restore the J2X in 2000. The work was completed around 2021 and it made its debut at the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance.

The vehicle's 406 cubic-inch, overhead-valve Ford V8 engine uses a three-barrel carburetor to produce upwards of 400 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. There is a four-speed manual transmission, all-round hydraulic drum brakes, a De Dion rear axle, and a semi-independent front setup.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2022