Allard J2X Roadster

Sydney Allard was a stouthearted racing driver and car constructor. In the 1930s, he built a dozen Ford-based specials for British trails competitions, some with Lincoln engines and many with a split-axle independent front suspension developed by Leslie Ballamy. During World War II, his London garage, which went by the name Adlards, Ltd., rebuilt Ford vehicles for British forces.

In 1946, with plenty of engines and parts on hand but no government contracts, he introduced the Allard K1, a two-seater on a box-section frame with transverse leaf springing. Either Ford or Mercury flathead V-8 power was available. Light and powerful, the K1 had excellent acceleration. A longer wheelbase version, called the L1, had seats for four.

In 1947, Allard introduced the J1, a shortened K1 intended for trials and sprints, and a four-seater, the M1. The most memorable Allard is the J2, up-rated from the J1 with a DeDion rear axle on coil springs and radius arms. A works J2 finished third at Le Mans in 1950. Most of the 90 built went to the U.S., with Cadillac or Chrysler engines fitted on arrival. A new chassis characterized the J2X of 1952. Now of stiffened tubular construction, it retained the DeDion axle in the rear but relocated the front radius rods ahead of the split axle.


230 bhp, 283 cu. in. Chevrolet Corvette overhead valve V-8 engine, four-speed manual transmission, coil spring split-beam axle independent front suspension, coil spring DeDion rear suspension, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 100"

Source: RM Auctions

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