1952 Allard J2

Between 1946 and 1959, Sydney Allard (an avid automobile racer and Ford dealer in London) produced approximately 1,900 vehicles, most were family cars for the domestic market, with 200 being the J-Series Allards, intended for competition.

Sidney Allard's 1950s sports cars were a combination of a lightweight chassis powered by a large-displacement engine, most notably a Cadillac or Chrysler. These roadster-bodied Allard J2 models were built to accept large American V-8 powerplants and their drivetrains. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in under six seconds with a top speed in excess of 150 mph. Although they were built to be driven on the street, they were purpose-built for racing, with success achieved in the budding SCCA circuit in the United States.

Allard built the J2 for the American market and equipped them with a new independent rear suspension, and a choice of different American engines. The J2 were shipped across the Atlantic without engines and fitted with powerplants when they arrived in the United States. They were an evolution from a long line of sports racers produced by Allard. During the production lifespan, just 89 examples of the J2 Allards were built.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2019