Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
After World War II, a war-torn Europe was recovering and rebuilding. Buildings had been bombed, attacked, and devastated. Materials were in short supply. A decree was put forth for H.M.'s government which allocated scarce materials to enterprises that produced revenue. In response, Sydney Allard adapted a V8 engine to his racer, dubbed it the J2, and began looking for US buyers. The earliest examples had a Ford flathead engine. As time passed, J2s were given engines from Oldsmobile, Cadillac, and Chrysler.
The inboard drum brakes from the Allard J2 were from the Jaguar XK 120. The front suspension had coil springs and split beam swinging arms while in the rear was a de Dion setup with a live axle. The lightweight and minimalist body was mounted on a ladder frame. In an effort to keep weight down, the cockpit was given only necessary items, and non-essential items were eliminated. The Brookland aeroscreens were the only protection for the passengers from the elements.
In 1950, Tom Cole and Sydney Allard drove a J2 with a Cadillac engine to a third-place overall finish in the 1950 24 Hours of LeMans. Following this success, Blakes, the main Ford distributor in Liverpool, England, placed an order for a J2 which he intended to enter in the 24 Hours of LeMans for 1951. The #1 car was driven by Sydney Allard and the second was given #2 and fielded by Blakes. Both cars failed to finish, however, car number two was officially ranked 31st of 60. It was later sent to South America where it continued to be raced for a number of years.
The green example shown wearing number 40 was offered for sale at the 2006 RM Auction in Monterey, CA. This is the #2 car that was raced at the 1951 LeMans race and driven by Hitchins and Reece. It was found still outfitted with the original Cadillac OHV V8. A full restoration was undertaken and safety features were added such as the roll bar and seatbelts.
There were only 90 examples of the J2 produced with only a small amount of those being used as competition vehicles. The competition cars were often given large, 55-gallon fuel cells, and aluminum bodies. This vehicle had those options. This vehicle has been a participant in the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1994. At the auction, it was expected to sell between $275,000-$375,000. At the conclusion of the auction, the vehicle had been sold, netting $313,500.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2006
The inboard drum brakes from the Allard J2 were from the Jaguar XK 120. The front suspension had coil springs and split beam swinging arms while in the rear was a de Dion setup with a live axle. The lightweight and minimalist body was mounted on a ladder frame. In an effort to keep weight down, the cockpit was given only necessary items, and non-essential items were eliminated. The Brookland aeroscreens were the only protection for the passengers from the elements.
In 1950, Tom Cole and Sydney Allard drove a J2 with a Cadillac engine to a third-place overall finish in the 1950 24 Hours of LeMans. Following this success, Blakes, the main Ford distributor in Liverpool, England, placed an order for a J2 which he intended to enter in the 24 Hours of LeMans for 1951. The #1 car was driven by Sydney Allard and the second was given #2 and fielded by Blakes. Both cars failed to finish, however, car number two was officially ranked 31st of 60. It was later sent to South America where it continued to be raced for a number of years.
The green example shown wearing number 40 was offered for sale at the 2006 RM Auction in Monterey, CA. This is the #2 car that was raced at the 1951 LeMans race and driven by Hitchins and Reece. It was found still outfitted with the original Cadillac OHV V8. A full restoration was undertaken and safety features were added such as the roll bar and seatbelts.
There were only 90 examples of the J2 produced with only a small amount of those being used as competition vehicles. The competition cars were often given large, 55-gallon fuel cells, and aluminum bodies. This vehicle had those options. This vehicle has been a participant in the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1994. At the auction, it was expected to sell between $275,000-$375,000. At the conclusion of the auction, the vehicle had been sold, netting $313,500.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2006
2006 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $275,000-USD $375,000
Sale Price :
USD $313,500
1951 Allard J2 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Allard J2
(Data based on Model Year 1951 sales)
1951 Allard J2X Chassis#: 3074 Sold for USD$346,000 2023 Bonhams : Quail | |
1951 ALLARD J2 Chassis#: 1788 Sold for USD$313,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction | |
1951 Allard J2 Roadster Chassis#: 99J2123 Sold for USD$207,200 2021 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | |
1951 Allard J2 Chassis#: 99J 1787 Sold for USD$224,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1951 Allard J2 Roadster Chassis#: 99J1974 Sold for USD$225,213 2018 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | |
1951 ALLARD J2 Chassis#: 99J2121 Sold for USD$275,000 2017 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction | |
1951 Allard J2X Replica Sold for USD$16,500 2015 Russo & Steele : Monterey | |
1951 Allard J2 Chassis#: 99J2121 Sold for USD$330,000 2013 Gooding and Company - The Amelia Island Auction | |
1951 Allard J2 Chassis#: J2089 Sold for USD$243,432 2011 RM Auctions - London | |
1951 Allard J2 Sold for USD$154,000 2009 Automobiles of Amelia Island | |
1951 Allard J2 Chassis#: 1912 Sold for USD$308,000 2008 Gooding & Company | |
1951 Allard J2-X LeMans Race Car Sold for USD$313,500 2006 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction | |
1951 ALLARD J2 CADILLAC LEMANS RACE CAR Chassis#: 2 Sold for USD$330,000 2004 Barrett-Jackson - Scottsdale 2004 |
Allard J2s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1951 Allard J2's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1951 ALLARD J2 | 99J2121 | 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | $275,000 | $350,000 | |
1951 Allard J2 | 99J 2123 | 2020 RM Sothebys : Shift/Monterey | $300,000 | $350,000 | |
1951 ALLARD J2 | 99J2121 | 2016 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | $325,000 | $375,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $252,757 range.
1969 Cadillac Eldorado Chassis#:h9267990 Sold for $253,000 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet Chassis#:111.027.12.001273 Sold for $252,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II Chassis#:WDB2010361F734120 Sold for $255,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Chassis#:WP0AC2A92NS268676 Sold for $252,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1988 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo 3,3L Targa G50 Chassis#:WP0ZZZ93ZKS010063 Sold for $250,696 2024 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:194377S112243 Sold for $253,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1952 BEECHCRAFT MODEL 18 MOVIE AIRPLANE Chassis#:CA265 Sold for $253,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:194377S107245 Sold for $253,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI SUPERBIRD Chassis#:RM23R0A172593 Sold for $253,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1967 FORD MUSTANG ELEANOR TRIBUTE EDITION Chassis#:7T02T267255 Sold for $253,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1970 Dodge Charger R/T SE Chassis#:xs29v0g233953 Sold for $253,000 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1966 Shelby GT350H Fastback Sold for $253,000 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1970 Plymouth Superbird Chassis#:rm23u0a175571 Sold for $253,000 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
2002 Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0 Chassis#:ZA9DE01A01LA12689 Sold for $251,742 2023 RM Sothebys : Munich | |
1933 Packard Super Eight Coupe Roadster Chassis#:750252 Sold for $253,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
2023 MASERATI MC20 Chassis#:ZAMBMRAB1P0413181 Sold for $253,000 2023 Barrett-Jackson : New Orleans | |
1918 Rauch & Lang Electric B26 Brougham Sold for $252,000 2023 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1961 Porsche 356B Roadster Chassis#:89024 Sold for $252,000 2023 Bonhams : Quail | |
1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTS Clubsport Chassis#:WP0ZZZ93ZBS710053 Sold for $252,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
1980 Aston Martin V8 Volante Chassis#:V8C0L15209 Sold for $254,800 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center |