Sydney Allard developed the mighty J2 specifically to break into the burgeoning American sports racing car market.

Open-road racing on public streets exploded in popularity the United States in the late 1940s, as returning servicemen went seeking their next thrill.

The lightweight J2 roadster, typically delivered to American customers sans engine, was ready to accept any number of mighty and plentiful “Yank” V-8s; it quickly became a dominant force in motorsport.

The robust chassis featured a de Dion rear axle, large Alfin drum brakes, and a revised version of Allard’s signature split front axle, designed by Les Bellamy.

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 on the narrow, undulating, and downright dangerous racecourses of the day.

This 1951 J2, chassis number 99J 1787, was invoiced by the factory on 29 August 1950.

Build records on file show i...