1950 Allard J2

Put yourself in the shoes of a character in BS Levys The Last Open Road; a young man at Watkins Glen in the 1950s. A plethora of sounds are heard in the distance: small German flat-fours posh British sixes but the rowdiest of them all is an American V8 stuffed into one of Sydney Allards finest works the J2. It was common to see Allards racing at any of Americas historic tracks such as Watkins Glen Sebring or Road America often winning and for good reason.Before achieving fame with racecars Allard began by supporting the war effort by maintaining British and American military vehicles a prelude to his future endeavors. After V-Day Sydney Allard saw a new opportunity in road racing. His initial creation the J1 set the stage for the J2 creating a car that was lower leaner and more streamlined than its predecessor. The J2 featured a de Dion rear axle large Alfin drum brakes and a revised version of Allards signature split front axle designed by Les Bellamy. Sydney Allards timing was perfect as the American sports car racing scene was gaining momentum with buyers eager for competitive race-ready cars.Ninety-four J2s were built and shipped to America all without an engine and transmission but they were designed to accept a range of V8s. The introduction of Cadillacs powerful new overhead valve 331 cubic-inch V8 was the prime choice of the best racers. With 160 horsepower in stock form and the potential for much more the Cad-Allard dominated open road racing in the 1950s regularly winning in both America and Europe. It took several years for European competitors to catch up with Allards success and for a time the J2 was the dominant force in racing. The Anglo-American J2 is an icon of motorsport history and remains Allards most successful racing car of all time.We are privileged to offer one of the most unique J2s to be produced 99J 1733 with a well-documented life. Washington DC dealer Jack Pry ordered the car new June 19th 1950 and specified that the car be fitted with the little-known factory option of wing fenders in the style of K2s. The fenders are longer slimmer and less bulbous than K2 fenders with the headlights located in-between the nose and front of the fender instead of recessed in the fender. To fit the fenders to the car Allard had to redesign portions of the front end which proved costly. According to Allard historian Tom Lush the factory ultimately deemed the modifications to 1733 too expensive to produce another with the option thus 1733 is the only Allard J2 produced with wing fenders!Pry received the car a few months later on September 13 1950 and shortly after the J2 was fitted with a 331 Cadillac. The dealer ordered the car for Perry Boswell of Upper Marlboro MD but upon receiving it it was said he didnt care for it. His time with 1733 was very short and the car was sold to Lt. Jerome Saubers who was stationed in the DC area serving in the Air Force. They were a popular choice amongst servicemen so its no surprise Lt. Saubers purchased one. Additionally under his ownership an electronic tachometer was added to the car which can no doubt be attributed to his time as a pilot. He frequented SCCA events and owned the car for just over a year then sold it to Battelle Memorial Institute in November of 1951. Not much is known about Battelles usage of the car but according to the history file accompanying the car it was used as a test bed vehicle for top-secret sports car development. The project was underwritten by the Murray Body Co. a company that had much involvement in the American automotive industry. Battelle kept the car for two years exactly as in November 1953 the Allard was sold to an unidentified buyer. While this buyer is unknown we can construct a rough timeline of ownership of about twenty-three years. The next custodian was Joe Cady Jr in Peoria Illinois sought to restore the car but never got to it and left the car to decay in an open-sided shed for over twenty years. In 1986 Fred Bohart Cadys neighbor purchased the car and stored it in his garage briefly and in the meantime put up an ad in the Chicago Tribune. The most recent owner acted quickly upon the ad and purchased 1733 on 6 June 1986.1733 was in a dire state; restoration was the only option to save this one-off J2 and beginning in the late 1990s an intensive restoration began. Bob McKee known for Can Am racecars restored the chassis. While there the rear end was modified to accept a Halibrand quick change center section that was built to incorporate a Corvette limited-slip feature. Meanwhile Boyd Racing Engines of Norman OK rebuilt the 331 Cadillac. Additionally vintage Hildebrand valve covers valley cover and oil filter housing were fitted during the restoration. Impressive dyno numbers followed the rebuild as the engine was bored out to 342 cubic inches. Two period-correct Carter WCD carburetors feed the engine and the J2 has been upgraded to a Muncie Rock Crusher four-speed transmission. Accompanying the sale of the car is an alternative induction system featuring a vintage SCOT supercharger with three 2 SU carburetors a custom manifold and a bonnet designed to accommodate the supercharger.Finished in silver grey the color is complemented by grey Rudge-Whitworth wheels fitted during Saubers ownership which it still wears today. The exterior presents as better than new and the same as period photographs such as Watkins Glen in 1950. Meanwhile the interior was restored to a fantastic red leather. During the restoration 1733 was converted to right drive; the level of detail in the conversion is phenomenal with every switch dial and knob expertly placed to match period photos.Allard owners are genuinely passionate about their cars and with only 82 J2s accounted for in the Allard Register it is rare to find such a beautifully restored example available on the open market. Chassis 99J 1733 is in magnificent condition having won numerous awards at many respected concours around the country. It is an excellent illustration of the car that launched the careers of Carroll Shelby and Zora Arkus-Duntov while igniting the passion for sports car racing in America. Offers welcome and trades considered.For additional details please view this listing directly on our website https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7770-1950-allard-j2-roadster/