Vehicle Description
After a successful run building Ford-powered off-road trials cars
in the early 1940s, Sydney Allard got serious about road racing in
1949 with the introduction of theJ2. This new car was built lower
and leaner than the trials-oriented J1, in the process becoming
more elegant and streamlined. The J2 was designed to take advantage
of the powerful new V8 engines coming out of Detroit at the start
of the 1950s and featured a de Dion rear axle for improved
high-speed handling, large Alfin drum brakes, and a revised version
of Allard's signature split front axle, designed by Les Bellamy.
Sydney Allard's timing was impeccable, as the budding American
sports car racing scene was gaining momentum and buyers were hungry
for competitive, race-ready cars. As a result of that demand, a
large number of the 94 J2s built came to the USA. As with most
racing-oriented Allards, the cars were shipped less engine and
transmission but could be prepped to accept any number of V8s, with
the Ford-Ardun and Lincoln units proving popular. Despite Sydney
Allard's long-running relationship with Ford, the engine that made
the J2 famous was the powerful new overhead valve, 331 cubic-inch
V8 from Cadillac. With 160 horsepower in stock form and plenty more
on tap, the Cad-Allards would come to dominate open road racing in
the 1950s, winning at legendary circuits like Watkins Glen,
Bridgehampton, and Elkhart Lake. In those formative years of the
SCCA, Allard J2s were most often found at the sharp end of the
field, battling Jaguars, Cunninghams, and Ferraris for victory. It
took several years for the Europeans to catch on, and for a brief
time, the Allard J2 was one of the most successful sports racing
cars on our shores. The J2 is an icon of American motorsport and
Allard's most successful racing car of all. Legendary drivers like
Carrol Shelby, John Fitch, and Sydney Allard himself all competed
in the Allard J2. One of the most prolific J2 racers was Fred
Wacker of Chicago. The grandson of a prominent Chicago politician,
Fred Wacker served as president of Ammco Tools from 1948 to 1986
and was a gifted engineer, pilot, musician, and racing driver. With
the means to buy the best and the talent to drive it, Fred started
racing in an MG TC and worked his way up to a drive with the
Gordini Grand Prix team in Europe. However, it was with his famous
"8-Ball" Cad-Allards that Fred Wacker truly established his racing
career. The first J2 to wear Fred Wacker's famous number eight (a
tribute to his father's racing yacht) was this car, chassis number
99J 1577. This car was produced on June 8th, 1950, and was
delivered in right-hand drive and with a 40-gallon fuel tank. Fred
Wacker took delivery and immediately contacted Frank Burrell to fit
a Cadillac 331 V8 in the car in time for the 1950 Watkins Glen
Grand Prix. Burrell was a Cadillac engineer who had worked on the
tank engine program during WWII and had also developed many special
performance parts for the new overhead valve engines. According to
his son Barry Burrell, Frank built an engine with one of his own
special dual-quad aluminum intake manifolds, and he modified the
chassis to accept a heavily reworked Hydramatic automatic
transmission. The transmission had been fitted with internal parts
from Cadillac's tank engine program and modified to allow for
manual shifting. While the choice of transmission may seem odd to
some, the result was one of the fastest accelerating Allards of the
day. It was painted in a livery designed by Karl Brocken - all
black and adorned with a bold white number 8, earning the car the
nickname "8-Ball". Fred Wacker would enjoy a great deal of success
with his Allards. Highlights include: 1950 Watkins Glen Grand Prix
- 3rd Overall 1950 Sebring 6h - Classified 8th on Index of
Performance, 2 full laps ahead on track 1951 Palm Beach Grand Prix
- 2nd Overall 1951 Watkins Glen Grand Prix - 12th Overall (DNF,
Mechanical) 1951 Buenos Aires Sports Car Olympics - 2nd Overall
Immediately following the Buenos Aires races, Wacker made a deal to
sell 1577, but the negotiations fell apart thanks to new
restrictions on imported cars in Argentina. 1577 returned to the
USA where it was sold later that year, and Fred purchased a second
J2, #2086, which would also run in his "8-ball" livery, but on a
red background. Fred was behind the wheel of 2086 while battling
with John Fitch's Cunningham for the lead of the 1952 Watkins Glen
Grand Prix when the two cars triggered the infamous crash that
effectively ended open road racing in America. Following its sale,
it is believed that #1577 continued to race as the "Bar's Leaks
Special." The first of several racing cars used to promote the
automotive chemical company, it is believed to have run in their
colors for a brief period. In 1958, 99J 1577's next owner
discovered it sitting on a used car lot outside of Detroit. He was
an avid sports car racer, though Corvettes were regularly
outclassing the Thunderbird he was driving at the time. He saw the
Allard and figured it would be just the tool he needed to beat the
Vettes. A deal was struck, and he would use the car on a regular
basis both on the track and on the road, though he admittedly never
came to grips with the power and speed of the Allard. When it was
no longer competitive or practical to run as a daily driver, the
Allard was put into storage. This owner was Emil Loeffler, of
Livonia, Michigan, and later Naples, Florida. Mr. Loeffler had
purchased the car from Delavan "Del" Lee, a fellow Allard racer and
car dealer. Mr. Loeffler owned the car from 1958 until his death in
2019, an astonishing 61 years. Mr. Loeffler worked for Ford his
entire career, including Ford Racing, and was involved in the Cobra
Jet Drag racing program, with cars running the 428 Cobra Jet V8.
When Mr. Loeffler bought the car in 1958, the original engine was
already out of the car, and it was then running a 1954 Chrysler
Hemi. Beginning in 2000, Mr. Loeffler commenced an extensive,
multi-year restoration. Finished in approximately 2009, and
finished the car in silver, yet still adorned with Fred Wacker's
signature Number 8 and still retaining the Chrysler Hemi. The
original Cadillac engine was replaced long ago - perhaps when
Wacker sold it in 1951. In late 2019, 99J 1577 found a new home,
and was once again treated to a very detailed restoration that
debuted at the 2023 Amelia Island Concours The car was returned to
its original livery of all black and adorned with a bold white
number 8. The Chrysler Hemi was removed and a proper 331 Cadillac
was returned to the engine compartment, and the automatic
transmission was appropriately retained. Proudly topping the mighty
Cadillac is a Frank Burrell 2 carb manifold sporting twin Carter
WCD carburetors, and a new aluminum radiator makes sure the car
stays cool during spirted driving. Allard shows only light use
since the restoration was completed, with the painted chassis and
undercarriage appearing very clean and tidy. The body and paint are
very well done, and it is detailed nicely with correct Lucas lamps,
wire wheels, and a removable roll bar should the next owner wish to
take it vintage racing or rallying. The cockpit is faithful to
original specification, with two simple seats and a Brooklands
banjo-type steering wheel. The dash features a full array of
retro-look Classic Instruments gauges to keep accurate tabs on the
moving parts, while the original gauges and dash panel were
retained and are included in the sale. With its impressive record
at the hands of one of the great gentleman drivers of the era,
99J-1577 is a significant piece of American motorsports history
that was active during the genesis of sports car racing in the USA.
We are delighted to of...for more information please contact the
seller.