1951 Allard J2 Roadster

The Allard J2 was powered by the reliable Ford flathead engine and was easily modified and maintained. There was a split beam swinging arm front suspension with coil springs and a deDion-style live axle with inboard drum brakes. The brakes were sourced from the Jaguar XK 120 but modified to better suit the much lighter Allard. The bodies were simplistic two-seaters with cycle fenders and a pair of Brooklands aeroscreens.

This example is chassis number 99J1787. It was shipped new to the United States dealer Roy Richter near the close of November 1950. It was raced by 'Boss' Clark, a movie house owner in Lynwood, Washington, and raced under his own sponsorship as 'The Guild 45th.' This Allard was originally fitted with a Cadillac engine and raced at Santa Barbara and at other locations on the west coast. The split front axle with replaced with a straight unit early in its life to improve the handling. It still retains this modification in modern times. It is believed that this car was also used in the movie Written on the Wind from 1958, starring Rock Hudson and Lauren Bacall.

In March of 1962, the car was sold to the wife of Jack A. Goffette. While in their care, the car was given a 1957 Corvette 283 cubic-inch V8 engine and mated to a four-speed Corvette transmission. The car still has both of these items. The Goffettes used the Allard in competition at the Seattle International Raceway and at Thunderhill.

The car would pass through several more owners before coming into the care of the current owners. Since then, it has been given a restoration with no expenses spared on performance or quality.

In 2009, this Corvette-powered Roadster was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Amelia Island auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $200,000 - $250,000. The lot was sold for $154,000, including the buyer's premium. The car returned to auction, this time at RM Sotheby's Monterey 2021 sale where it had a pre-auction estimated value of $225,000 - $275,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had sold for $224,000 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009