1950 Allard J2 Roadster

This 1950 J-2 Allard was raced by the company founder, Sydney Allard, and his co-driver Tommy Cole, in the 1950 LeMans endurance race. It was first off the starting line running within the top 5 through the night. It finished an impressive third overall and first in class, averaging nearly 88 MPH, for the full 24 hours. This accomplishment is compounded by the fact that the car had only top gear for the last 11 hours. This was the first attempt by Allard at LeMans and was the highest finish ever of any factory Allard. Ultimately, the Allard J2 finished 2,106 miles at an 87 mph average for the 24 hours resulting in a new record for the class and the only podium finish for any of the future attempts by Allard at Le Mans.

Two days before the Le Man's race, the Cadillac V8 engine failed in road testing. The team was permitted to rebuild the car in a local Le Man's garage after a quick dash to Paris for new pistons. The car just made the deadline for the event entry.

The Allard arrived stateside after Le Mans and was raced from 1950-53 at Watkins Glen, Bridgehampton, Sebring, Torrey Pines, Santa Barbara, and other tracks. Its career ended with a cockpit fire in 1954 while at Santa Barbara. Joe Landaker (a noted mechanic for Parravano, Edgar, and Von Neumann) purchased the car in 1955. He placed it into storage. It was purchased by the present owners in 1988, completing their multi-year search for the 'lost Le Mans Allard.'

The car was restored to its 1950 Le Man's livery in Australia in 2001. It has actively campaigned in historic races in both Australia and the western United States.