Vehicle Description
Sydney Allard's brawny J2 was one of the first and foremost British
sports cars of the post-war era, targeted at the rapidly expanding
American sports car market. The open-road-racing scene exploded in
the USA in the late 1940s, and the Allard J2 quickly rose to
prominence as a dominant competitor, particularly when paired with
new overhead-valve V8 engines from Cadillac and Chrysler. 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 they called the J2X. Outwardly similar in
appearance, the J2X had a few significant alterations to enhance
stability and driver comfort. Allard moved the engine forward in
the chassis by 7.5 inches, which actually improved the handling
balance. The front suspension and steering required significant
modifications to clear the engine, necessitating a six-inch
extension of the forward frame, resulting in the distinctive bulges
in the front bodywork. The De Dion rear axle remained the same as
before, with proven Jaguar/Lockheed drum brakes at all four
corners. Drivetrain choice was up to the buyer, and most customers
chose OHV V8 engines from Cadillac or Chrysler, making light work
of the 2,300-pound J2X. Despite being less successful in
competition than the J2 it replaced, the J2X is universally lauded
by today's enthusiasts as the most desirable all-round Allard
sports car and one of the best to come from Sydney Allard's South
London workshops. According to build records and "pink cards"
provided by the Allard Owner's Club UK and the US-based Allard
Register, chassis J2X 2193 is one of the earliest J2X models to
arrive Stateside, just before 1952. This car was completed by
Allard on November 2, 1951, and dispatched for Motor Sport, Inc. of
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where it arrived about a month later.
Build records reveal it left the works finished in powder blue over
red leather and equipped with a black convertible top and red
wheels. The build order also specifies chassis modifications for a
Chrysler engine and drivetrain, which Motor Sport, Inc installed
upon the car's arrival in Pittsburgh. Interestingly, the documents
show this car is early enough in J2X production that the original
order sheet specifies the differences between it and a J2. The
original owner's name is not listed, and any early competition
history is not known, though it came into the care of Mr. R.
Morello in 1973. Morello gradually restored the car over the years
he owned it, meticulously sourcing rare original parts along the
way. By approximately 1990 he had completed the restoration,
finishing it in its distinctive yellow livery. By about 2010, Mr.
Morello decided to refresh the restoration after a period of
storage, but sadly, he fell ill and was unable to complete the
project. It since transferred to the most recent owner and has
undergone a light refurbishment and cosmetic freshening, and is now
a complete, running/driving car presented in good working order. As
offered, this J2X is an excellent basis to prepare for road events
like the Colorado Grand or Copperstate 1000 and to detail or
further restore to suit its next owner's wishes. The alloy bodywork
is in excellent condition, having been recently refinished in an
attractive shade of light yellow that this car has worn for much of
its life. Accenting the yellow paint are black wire wheels, a
single side-mount spare, and a chrome roll hoop. The cockpit
consists of two heavily bolstered bucket seats trimmed in black
leather. The older upholstery shows some moderate patina but also
possesses a pleasing character. Authentic details like the
period-correct four-spoke Bluemels's Brooklands banjo-type steering
wheel, Smiths tach/speedo, and Stewart Warner minor instruments are
all in excellent order. Power comes from a 1956-specification 354
cubic-inch Hemi V8, and the engine number is consistent with it
being sourced from a Chrysler 300B. Rated at 340 horsepower from
the factory, this was the highest-output Hemi for that year. The
mighty V8 breaths through a pair of Carter four-barrel carbs with
stock exhaust manifolds. Power goes rearward via the original-style
3-speed Ford/Lincoln 'box and on to the correct-type De Dion axle.
Allard only produced about 80 J2X Competition roadsters between
1951 and 1954, and the availability of chassis 2193 represents an
excellent opportunity to acquire one of the approximately 65 known
survivors. These iconic and thrilling sports cars are highly
sought-after by collectors with a passion for driving, and examples
are often found at the sharp end of the field in a wide array of
historic driving events. Offered publicly for the first time in
decades, this marvelously authentic Allard is ready for its next
caretaker to join the exclusive ranks of J2X ownership. Offers
welcome and trades considered For additional details please view
this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6869-1952-allard-j2x-roadster/