1952 Allard J2X, Chassis # J3065
Ex-Masten Gregory

The Allard J2X, of which only 83 were built between (late) 1951 and 1954 by London-based Ford dealer, racer and constructor Sidney Allard, was a re-engineered version of the J2 (1950-1951, 90 built). The J2, which enjoyed success in European and United States road-racing competition, was powered by flat head Ford V8 engines, which were plentiful and powerful enough to deliver good performance. Its successor, the J2X, was a re-engineered J2, with a revised front suspension and more under-hood length, hence the X for “extended.” The J2X was able to accept a variety of larger, more powerful OHV American V8 engines. The cars were shipped from England to the U.S. without engines, and the buyer could have Cadillac, Chrysler (as in this car) or other powerplants installed here. Carroll Shelby, who raced with Sidney Allard at Watkins Glen in 1949, might well have found that Allard’s combination of an American V8 in a lightweight English chassis provided some measure of inspiration for his AC Cobra some years later. This car was purchased new in 1952 by 20-year-old Masten Gregory of Kansas City, Missouri, who would go on to become one of the great drivers of his era, competing in Formula One in Europe (1958-1965), and winning LeMans in 1965 with Jochen Rindt in a Ferrari 250 LM.