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1950 Allard J2

English-based Sydney Allard built highly successful racing specials, followed by street cars that bore his name. Among his most famous creations were the J2 sports roadster and its extended version, the J2X. The lightweight and nimble British chassis was designed to house American V-8 engines and were primarily built for the lucrative American market.

During World War II, Sydney Allard's London-based garage was used to rebuild Ford vehicles for British forces. After the war, the Allard Motor Company was founded in 1946 and approximately 1,900 vehicles were built through 1959, with most being family cars for the domestic market. The first competition car was the J1, of which thirteen examples were built between 1946 and 1948. 151 examples of the K1 Roadster were built over a three-year period, beginning in 1946, at the Chapham Works in London. Never intended for export, the K1 was offered only in England and Scotland. Power was sourced from a stockpile of Ford flathead V8 engines (circa 1937 and 1937) which offered 85 horsepower, giving the 2,460-pound car a top speed of around 85 mph. The K1 was a two-seater built on a box-section frame with transverse leaf springs.

Despite its small size and limited resources, Allard's achievements were legion, Sydney himself finishing 3rd at Le Mans in a J2 sports racer and winning outright at the Monte Carlo Rally in a P-Type saloon. In regards to their road-going vehicles, they were quality, hand-built British vehicles that were very usable, fast and exciting to drive, and rather inexpensive to run and maintain. They were popular in production sports car racing in North America, earning numerous successes for drivers such as Zora Duntov, Carroll Shelby, John Fitch, and Tom Cole.

The Allard J2 had a 100-inch wheelbase chassis that measured 155 inches in length and was 68 inches wide. The rear suspension used a De Dion tube system with coil springs, while the front received a swing axle and coil springs. Sydney's use of the swing axle front suspension earned him success during the pre-war trials, allowing him to traverse difficult terrain with ease.

The J2 had rear inboard brakes (the first British sports car to have this innovation) and a quick-change differential. The J2s built for the British market received the 3.6-liter flathead V8 engine from the Ford Pilot, while the export models were shipped sans engine. Engine options included those from Oldsmobile, Chrysler, and Cadillac. The transmission was a three-speed manual.

Production of the J2 lasted between 1950 and 1951 with a total of 90 examples built.

The Allard J2X arrived in 1952 with a redesigned front suspension that allowed its engine to be placed 7.1 inches further forward in the engine bay. Along with improving weight distribution and improving steering, the relocated engine allowed for more legroom for the driver. The 'X' in the J2X name represented 'extended,' referencing the loner nose that protruded further beyond the front wheels. Most of the J2X also received a wide flat hood scoop and side access panels for the engine. The front suspension was improved but not totally redesigned, and the inboard brakes of the J2 were carried over. Most J2X's were shipped without an engine but with properly positioned mounts to accept the customer's choice.

Production of the J2X lasted through 1954 with a total of 83 examples built.

Racing regulations for the 1952 Le Mans 24 Hour race required fully enclosed wheels. In compliance, Allard created new Barchetta-style bodywork resulting in the J2X Le Mans. As few as nine and as many as fourteen such examples were built. Two examples contested the 1952 LeMans race, but both cars retired in the fifteenth hour. A few victories were won in American SCCA races, and a second-place finish was earned at the Formula Libre race at Snetterton in 1952.


by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2022

Related Reading : Allard J2 History

In 1929 Sydney Herbert Allard began working in the Adlards Motors garage, an official Ford dealer, preparing racers for international motor racing. His Allard Specials quickly proved their potential and Allards reputation began to build. After racing motorcycles and three-wheeled Morgans, he began racing four-wheeled vehicles. During World War II, the Allard Motor Company repaired military vehicles.....
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1950 Allard J2 Vehicle Profiles

1950 Allard J2 vehicle information
Roadster

Chassis #: 99J 1577
1950 Allard J2 vehicle information
Roadster

Chassis #: J1578
1950 Allard J2 vehicle information
Roadster

Coachwork: Murray
Chassis #: J1733
1950 Allard J2 vehicle information
Roadster

Chassis #: J1513
1950 Allard J2 vehicle information
Roadster

Chassis #: 99J1738

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Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

$870-$3,240
1950 J2
$3,240-$11,000
1950 Allard J2 Base Price : $3,240

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Other 1950 Allard Models

J2

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
100.00 in.
8 cyl., 239.21 CID., 175.00hp
100.00 in.
8 cyl., 239.00 CID., 95.00hp
$3,240 - $3,240
100.00 in.
8 cyl., 239.00 CID., 95.00hp
8 cyl., 266.80 CID., 120.00hp
8 cyl., 331.00 CID., 180.00hp
$3,244 - $3,244

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