Vehicle Description
Sydney Allard's brawny J2 was one of the first post-war British
sports cars explicitly targeted at the burgeoning sports car scene
in America. The popularity of racing on public road courses like
Pebble Beach, Elkhart Lake, and Watkins Glen had exploded in the
late 1940s, and the Allard J2 quickly rose to the top as a dominant
competitor, particularly when paired with Cadillac's spectacular
new overhead-valve V8 engine. While the J2 was undoubtedly fast, it
also had a reputation for wild handling, and it often took a
caliber of a driver like John Fitch, Carroll Shelby, or Phil Hill
to tame it. In 1952, Allard introduced an improved version known as
the J2X. Outwardly similar in appearance, the J2X had a few
significant alterations to improve stability and driver comfort.
Allard moved the engine forward in the chassis by 7.5 inches, which
improved the handling balance. That required a rework of the front
suspension, steering, and a six-inch extension of the forward
frame. The de Dion rear axle remained the same as before, with
proven Jaguar-sourced Lockheed drum brakes at all four corners.
Like the J2, engine choice was up to the buyer, and most customers
chose the latest OHV V8 engines from Cadillac, Buick, Olds, and
Chrysler - all of which made light work of the 2,300-pound car. By
the time the J2X landed, Ferrari, Maserati, Jaguar, and others
pushed American sportscar racing into a new era, with professional
teams, big-name drivers, and increasingly exotic machinery. While
the J2X had a considerably shorter motorsport career than the J2,
it considered by marque aficionados to be the best driving and most
desirable machine to come out of Sydney Allard's workshop. Chassis
number 3162 is one of the best-known J2Xs in America. One of only
83 J2Xs built, this marvelous car has enjoyed a long and storied
career as a vintage racer in the hands of Allard enthusiast Robert
Lytle. It boasts a fascinating and well-documented history, back to
the day it was ordered. The history file contains the original
order records, build sheets, numerous documents, and photos from
the time it was new through its time as a dragster and its long
vintage racing career with Mr. Lytle. On December 5, 1952, the
Allard Works in Clapham received the order for a left-hand drive
J2X, to be prepared for a Cadillac drivetrain. A letter dated
January 14, 1953, notes more details, including the color request
of gunmetal gray with six red wheels, red leather racing seats, and
an urgent appeal to have the car ready for the World Motor Sports
Show. Upon arrival in the 'States, the original owner, Mr. Fred
Asche, had the rolling chassis delivered to the legendary speed
shop Bill Frick Motors of Rockville Center, Long Island. There,
Frick and his team installed a 331 cubic-inch Cadillac V8 paired
with a 3-speed LaSalle gearbox. Asche only owned 3162 for a brief
period, before selling it to Jerry Hardisty at the 1955 Sebring
race. Hardisty then traded it to Joe Amann of St. Louis, Missouri,
around 1957. Joe and his brothers repainted the car red and enjoyed
it in the St. Louis area, winning a 2nd place trophy at the 1958
Concours d'Elegance of St. Louis. After its time with Amann, the
Allard made its way to Michigan and was later acquired by David
Cranston of Flint, who paid $1,800 for the car with a broken
Cadillac engine. Conveniently for Mr. Cranston, his father worked
for the Buick Motor Division of GM and had access to a supply of
experimental engines and parts that they tested in the Allard.
Cranston converted 3162 into a dragster, fitting a specially
prepared 364 cubic-inch Buick Nailhead mated to a 4-speed Corvette
gearbox and 11" wrinkle-wall slicks. It was reportedly capable of
more than 500 horsepower and turning 10-second quarter-mile runs!
After two additional owners, Bob Lytle found 3162 advertised for
sale in 1981. On Christmas that year, he bought the car sight
unseen and booked a one-way flight to Tampa, Florida. Bob
thendrovethe J2X some 3,000 miles back home to Los Angeles in
brutal, often freezing conditions. Once home in California's
warmth, he embarked on an extensive multi-year restoration to
return the car to fighting shape. The years of drag racing took its
toll on the chassis, which showed some fatigue from hard landing
wheelies. Thankfully, the J2X was in capable hands. Bob was a
lifetime sportscar enthusiast, devoted marque enthusiast, and
experienced mechanic, doing nearly all the restoration work himself
- from fabricating body panels to the porting and polishing work on
the Buick Nailhead V8. He finished it off with a beautiful black
paint job accented with red leather. Bob took numerous photos of
the progress and wrote a comprehensive summary of the work, which
remain with the car. The overhaul of J2X 3162 was completed in
August 1984, just in the nick of time to debut it at the Monterey
Historic races at Laguna Seca. From that first appearance in 1984
through his death in 2009, the Allard and Bob in his signature
goggles and black open-face helmet were stalwarts of the festival.
While Laguna was a highlight of his year, he also loved racing at
Willow Springs and took part in numerous other events around the
country, including several Allard reunion gatherings. As the
business of vintage racing grew more elaborate and exclusive, Bob
and his so-called "Unpretentious Racing Team" steadfastly
maintained a light-hearted attitude in the paddock, always at the
ready to share a drink, swap stories, and lend a hand to his fellow
competitors. He and his iconic black Allard were beloved by
countless lifelong enthusiasts. Today, J2X 3162 remains very much
as Bob Lytle raced it for so many years. Still in its signature
black livery with white "65" roundels, the car wears a fabulous
patina earned through more than 10,000 miles of track duty. It
wears its multitude of participant stickers as badges of honor,
with well-worn red leather on the racing seats. The big Buick V8 is
in its rightful place under the hood. This engine has only ever
been in 3162, sourced through "back door" channels at GM, and never
installed in a passenger car. Bob felt keeping the engine was
essential to preserving the car's unique history, and we are
thankful he did. Accompanying the sale is a vast photo album and a
stack of race programs documenting its history, restoration, and
Bob Lytle's years of on-track exploits. Wonderfully preserved with
a fabulous character, it is now ready for its next chapter and
would be the ideal entry into a wide array of rallies, tours, and
historic racing events around the world, from Laguna Seca to Le
Mans. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional details
please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6703-1953-allard-j2x-roadster/