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1952 Allard Cadillac JR "Le Mans" Roadster

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version, which was a completely standard J2X, but with revised bonnet, scuttle, and doors to create a full envelope body (the rear body section was standard J2X). I recollect that 13 cars were built with the LM bodywork. The car offered at Bonhams was the LM entered and driven by Sidney Allard in the 1952 Le Mans with a Chrysler engine. It retired with engine problems in the 13th hour.

For the 1953 season, Allard decided to build a completely new racing version of the J series, primarily for Le Mans, to be called the JR. The new chassis used a more sophisticated frame composed of multiple smaller diameter tubes, though it was still fundamentally a ladder-frame concept. Presumably, it was a bit lighter and stiffer than the old twin boxed-channel design. The mechanical package, including front and rear suspension, was derived from the J2X with detail improvements like spring and shock location to allow a more compliant ride and handling.

The JR was designed to use the more compact and lighter Cadillac engine, and the all-new bodywork was wrapped tightly around the components to produce a notably more compact and angular body shape. The first two cars, including the subject car, were constructed specifically for Le Mans and included an additional fuel tank on the passenger side of the cockpit, which resulted in there being no door on that side. They were entered and started with great hopes, but it was not to be. Sidney led the first lap in the sister car but was out within 45 minutes (a differential mounting lug broke), while this one made it for nine hours before the engine gave up.

The JR should be worth the same as the LM

So here's the collector's pop quiz of the month: How do you explain the differing values these cars seemed to have? They are both factory team cars driven at Le Mans in successive years with equally famous drivers and very similar results (both broke at roughly half distance). Both were constructed specifically for the race, though the LM is really just a special-bodied J2X (of which 83 were built), while the JR was a unique chassis and body (they built seven). It would seem to me that the JR should be worth at least as much as the LM, but Bonhams offered the LM with an estimate of $850,000-$950,000, while RM offered the JR with a published estimate of $350,000-$450,000.

The JR sold, of course, while the LM didn't, but I'm told the LM got bid to somewhere around $700,000 before failing. Something seems wrong here. Though officially original and thus more collectible, the LM was marred by some very inappropriate paint and upholstery work. (Have you ever seen a four-page catalog spread with not one current photo of the car, as the B&B book had?) My inclination is to believe that the JR sold for what the Allard market is today, and that the valuation on the LM was quite optimistic.

Overall value is the other question. Allards have never commanded the values of the "great marques" they raced against, but you have to wonder about the discount. The JR was capable of contending for the lead anywhere in 1953, yet it sold for a tenth or less of what you'd have to spend for any other top-rank Le Mans entry of that time (Jag XKC, Aston DB3S, and Ferrari 375 MM come to mind).

Why should it be worth relatively so little? I've been around Allards a long time and have watched their values, so part of me thinks $350,000 or so was a little on the low side of what you'd expect, but the other part of me looks at what the competition is selling for and thinks the JR was actually very cheap. If the world figures out what a unique and special car the JR is and what it is equivalent to, it may prove to be very well bought indeed.

Details

Years Produced: 1953-55

Number Produced: 7

Original List Price: $12,000

SCM Valuation: $350,000-$450,000

Chassis # Location: Tag on frame, left side under headers

Engine # Location: Left lower side of engine block

Club Info: Allard Owners Club

Website: click to visit

Alternatives: 1950-53 Jaguar C-type, 1953-54 Ferrari 375 MM, 1953-56 Aston Martin DB3S

Investment Grade: A

Provided by Sports Car Market—The Insider's Guide to Collecting, Investing, Values and Trends