1959 Kellison J-4R

Jim Kellison, a former Korean War fighter pilot, founded Kellison Engineering in 1954. The company would become one of the premier manufacturers of Fiberglass cars in the United States. Their first production car was the J-4 which sold for $6,700 in turnkey form.

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.

In comparison to the Corvette, the Kellison J4 was more powerful and lighter, yet was priced more than $2,000 over the price of a new Corvette.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2018