Coupe

Jim Kellison created Kellison Engineering & Manufacturing Company in 1954. The operation was based in California and specialized in kit car creation. Kellison served as a fighter pilot during World War II, and his closeness to aerodynamic designs undoubtedly influenced his streamlined and attractive race car bodies. The company sold its product in a variety of guises and completion.

Jim Kellison's designs were futuristic. The J-2 Coupe was introduced in 1956 with the bodies built as light-weight racing bodies. Most found their way onto Corvette chassis or Kellison's own in-house chassis. These cars enjoyed much racing success, primarily on the west coast, throughout the 1960s.

This Kellison J-2 is one of the very few examples of the lightweight 'double-bubble' coupe racing body designed to fit Triumph / MG / Austin-Healey and other chassis. Total production is believed to have reached eight units, with just three examples remaining today.

This example, believed to be the only one still being used in competition, is powered by a 2138cc Triumph 4-cylinder engine with 2-40mm Del'Orto induction. There is a four-speed manual transmission and a wheelbase that measures 88 inches.

by Dan Vaughan