The “Written on the Wind” Allard J2X
The Allard J2X Competition was offered from 1952-1954 and was an updated version of the wildly successful J2 Competition cars, which had dominated the early sports car racing scene both in the USA and abroad. In fact, it was a burly Cad-Allard J2 that everybody’s favorite Texan Carroll Shelby won his first sanctioned racing event with and credits with the idea to build the Cobra. The J2X incorporated a few I changes over the J2 in an attempt to cure what could charitably be referred to as diabolical handling. The front suspension radius rods were changed from leading to trailing, with 6 added to the front frame rails, although the wheelbase remained at 100. The engine was moved forward 7.5 for better weight distribution, with the resulting 7.5 more in the cockpit being welcomed by drivers. The existing DeDion independent rear suspension was retained, as were the Jaguar/Lockheed drum brakes with Alfin drums at all four corners. J2Xs, like the J2, were available with various engine choices including Ford flathead V-8s, Chrysler Hemis, or the top engine option of the day, the 230 horsepower Cadillac 331 CID with over 330 ft./Ibs. of torque quite a sufficient amount to propel under 2,300 pounds of thin aluminum on a heavy steel frame!
This particular J2X, chassis #J2X 3144, is an original Cad-Allard that has spent most of its life in hiding, I leading many to suspect it had been lost to the hands of time. It was purchased new from Noel Kirk Motors in Hollywood, California in 1953 by Albert Zugsmith, a movie producer from Universal Studios, finished in white with black leather and top 331 CID Cadillac engine under the hood. By 1956, #3144 found itself painted yellow and playing a leading role in the movie Written on the Wind, produced by 3144’s original owner Zugsmith. The movie starred Rock Hudson, Robert Stack, Lauren Bacall and Dorothy Malone, who won the Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress. The movie was somewhat controversial for its time because it was viewed as “racy” as a J2X in those more puritanical times that were the late-1950s. Oh how I I things have changed!
In the movie #3144 was Robert Stack’s characters “hot rod” and there are many scenes with him racing around in it. Mike Zugsmith, Albert’s son, recently recalled that his dad wasn’t much of a car guy but his mother was. She grew up driving a Stutz Bearcat and Mike explains that his mom was the primary driver of the Allard! 3144 was known around the Los Angeles area until the late 1960s, including the time it spent with its second owner Jack Barbour, who was also a noted Hollywood socialite. Then J2X #3144 just seemed to disappear. Turns out it was purchased from Barbour by a CIA operative named Ron VanKegten, who was a very good friend of not only Barbour but also Howard Hughes. When one of Hughes’ Hollywood circle of friends would tire of their sports cars VanKregten would buy them. He had Steve McQueens Cobra, Clark Gables 300SL, the long-lost Geneva show car Ferrari 250 SWB California Spyder, even a few of Hughes airplanes locked away at his compound in Northern California when he passed away in 2002. Oh, and he also had J2X 3144 hidden among these treasures. VanKregten, perhaps having learned it from Howard Hughes, was a thoroughly accomplished recluse who rarely left his compound and never showed his collection to anybody outside of his immediate family. After Mrs. VanKregten passed in 2008, the heirs auctioned off the collection in January 2009 and that is how came to own 3144. After a little research and speaking with Allard historians Chuck and Colin Warnes of the Allard Register it became apparent that 3144 was the missing J2X everybody had been looking for – the “Written on the Wind” car. Yellow paint was discovered under the maroon paint it wore in 2009, and other details positively identified it. The original water transfer Noel Kirk Motors decal is still under the dash as well, an amazing remnant of a time when the fabled dealership sold sporting machines such as this to the Hollywood elite.
Although 3144 was in wonderful condition, the decision was made to return it to its original color scheme of white with black leather and recommission the mechanical systems, which had been dormant for at least 35 years. An amazingly original and complete J2X with super-low mileage (10,000 from new) and all of its original drivetrain (including the serialized engine that was confirmed original by GM Historical), bodywork, trim and hardware present it is one of the few J2Xs to survive without being cut-up, crashed, “up-rated” with open drivelines or 4 speed transmissions, or losing its original engine- which made my task of getting back to as-delivered condition that much easier. No parts hunting! By July of 2009 J2X 3144 was back on the road following this intensive spa treatment. 3144 immediately racked up some significant concours show wins shortly thereafter :
Road & Track Magazine Concours at the Kohler International Challenge, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, July2009:
- Winner-“Best in Class Sports Car”
- Winner-“Best of Show”
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The Masterpiece Style and Speed Showcase, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August, 2009:
- Winner-“First in Class”
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“Gather on the Green Concours,” Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, September, 2009:
- Winner-“Best of Show”
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Amelia Island Concours, March, 2010:
- Completed the Eight Flags Road Tour
- Amelia Award- featured marque Allard class
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WeatherTech International Challenge Concours, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, July 2018:
- Class A Winner
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But, since I’m not much of a “show car” guy, now 3144 is used simply for what it does best- driving! Driving a healthy J2X makes one realize that all of the stories you hear about these beasts are 100% true- it is one wild ride!
