Well ahead of Carroll Shelby and other car builders of the post-war era, Sydney Allard saw opportunity in squeezing American V-8 engines into light, British-built bodies. Usually utilizing a UK-exclusive Ford Pilot chassis fitted with an alloy body designed by Allard himself and typically powered by a Cadillac or Chrysler V-8, Allard found immediate success producing ready-made racing sports cars.

Offered for the first time in nearly six decades, this 1950 Allard J2 was ordered new by Colonel Charles Steinmetz of Tarzana, California on 13 July 1950 through Moss Motors of Goleta, California. Unusually specified with no engine, transmission, exhaust, wheels, tires, electrical wiring, or instruments, this J2 was shipped in a crate aboard the SS Durango and was delivered to Los Angeles on 3 October 1950.

Originally finished in red over red upholstery, Steinmetz would install a flathead Mercury V-8 engine mated to a Ford three-speed manual transmission. Wearing #10 livery, the car was entered in the inaugural Pebble Beach Road race on 4 November 1950 but was forced to withdraw due to issues with its shifter mechanism. The J2, now wearing #19, was entered again the following year in the 1951 Pebble Beach Road Race. Period documents show it was one of only 15 cars to complete the race.

The elderly Colonel parted with his Allard sometime shortly after the 1951 Pebble Beach race. The next owner is strongly believed to be Carroll Shelby’s co-driver, Dale Duncan. Duncan is known to have purchased a Mercury-flathead powered Allard J2, fitting it with a Chrysler FirePower Hemi engine before racing the car extensively in period. For the hood to clear the massive Hemi’s generator, Duncan was required to fabricate a small bulge on the front left side.

Race records, testimonials, and period photographs show Duncan in his J2, with custom hood bulge, at multiple races including Sebring and a rally on 23 August 1953 at Eagle Mountain National Guard Base in Fort Worth, Texas where he is lined up in car #54 alongside Carroll Shelby in car #11.

The car then passed through a series of owners before being acquired by the consignor in 1963. When purchased, the car retained a 331-cid Chrysler FirePower Hemi V-8 and wore the same small hood bulge as Duncan’s car. After acquiring the car, the consignor then embarked on a self-restoration. During this time, knock-off wheel hubs and caps as well as side-mount spare wheel adapters were ordered directly from Allard. Copies of correspondence between the consignor and Allard executives accompany the sale.

After what became a nearly three-year refurbishment, the car was campaigned extensively in Sports Car Club of America Vintage Competition from 1966 through 2000. At the turn of the millennium, Barry Parker of Vintage Metalcraft in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania was commissioned to restore the car’s body while maintaining as much originality as possible.

After removing the body from the frame, Parker fabricated a replacement hood, trunk lid, and doors, as well as repairs to other areas of the body which had suffered galvanic corrosion over the years. The car was then repainted in its current shade of maroon with the upholstery and cockpit surround retrimmed in tan leather.

Since its restoration, the car has earned numerous accolades including Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) National First Junior and First Senior prizes, AACA historic race vehicle certification, an Amelia Award at the 2007 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, and the Road & Track "Car We Would Most Like To Drive" trophy at the Vanderbilt Concours in 2007.

Featuring documented race history, period accessories, and known history from new, this stunning J2 presents an opportunity for the sagacious collector to acquire an Allard equally at home on the green at a concours gathering or roaring through the Rockies on the Colorado Grand.