Alright, so this find isn’t exactly a barn find, but this 1951 Allard J2X was owned by Steve McQueen! The fact that it’s an Allard J2X alone makes it worth a read, but add in the McQueen factor and I just couldn’t resist featuring it. He purchased this ex-racer in 1962 to drive on the street and it remained in his collection until his passing. I don’t normally think who owned a car should add much value to it, but let’s be honest, being owned by the King of Cool is going to add some value to this already valuable Allard. You can bid on this one here at Bonhams or at the Quail Lodge on August 18th.
Let’s set the McQueen factor aside for a moment and just focus on this J2X. If you’ve never heard of Allard, no one will blame you. They never built cars in any signification numbers, but they built some pretty amazing machines. The Allard Motor Company was founded in England by Sydney Allard, whose family owned a successful Ford Dealership in London, in 1945. Sydney was a fan of motorsports and eventually decided to build his own race cars. Allard would go on to build a range of race and sports cars, they even built a few drag cars. Given their connection to Ford, many of his cars were equipped with Ford V8s. A lightweight British sports car with an American V8, sound familiar?
This example is a J2X, which was an extended version of the J2. The additional length provides a larger and easier-to-access engine bay, which had the added benefit of expanding the range of engines that can comfortably fit in the car. While Ford engines were the standard option, cars destined for the American market shipped without an engine, leaving it up to the buyer to decide what engine to use. Many of these cars received a Cadillac V8, but this example received a Chrysler 331 cui Hemi V8 with 250 horsepower. It’s believed that this engine is original to the car, but it’s hard to know for sure as there’s no documentation from when it was new.
McQueen was well known for his love of automotive racing, even taking 2nd place at the 1970 12-hours of Sebring. While this car wouldn’t have been competitive by the point he owned it, it’s easy to see how he would have wanted to own it. These cars were very competitive in their day and have long been desirable to those who collect eclectic race cars. Over the past few decades, values have continued to climb for J2s and J2Xs, so the estimated value of between $300k to $400k isn’t all that surprising. Obviously, they are expecting it to fetch a premium for its celebrity connection, but not nearly as much as you’d think. These cars typically trade for between $200k to $300k, so they aren’t cheap. It will be interesting to see just how much it goes for though! Do you think its connection to McQueen adds much value or is it just an interesting bit of its history?
Cool.
As in “King of Cool?”
In the early 90s I was at a vintage race event in Philadelphia. One of the race classes was a bunch of British cars that somehow wound up having an Allard racing in the class. It was beautiful, and also shocking to hear the little fours winding out, then a big straight piped caddy engine blaring through all of them. It cleaned up the course – the driver wasn’t worried about stuffing it into the bales and it showed.
I was at that same race and vividly remember that big red Allard blasting around the course. I also remember that white Jaguar XK140 coupe screaming as it passed everyone. What an afternoon!
Had a chance to purchase a very nice Allard and passed it up. : (
A life regret.
I guest you really flubbed up!
Does Steve McQueens name add to the value of a machine?
Well, let’s see: a nice 1971 Husqvarna 400 recently sold online for $7000.
Steve McQueens 1971 Husky 400 sold last year for $187,000.
My vote is yes, it does…!
I agree… he was a decent actor, but he was definitely weird and screwed up in real life. I wouldn’t buy this one because he did own it… but then, that’s me. Being famous means a lot of different things for different people. He was definitely not one to emulate.
And, a solid 1971 Porsche 911S can be had for under $200,000, but his 1971 Porsche 911S used in the movie Le Mans sold for $1,375,000! Yep, seems like McQueen history does add a little value.
On the other hand, celebrity status may not apply to real estate. McQueen’s 15 acre property in Santa Paula, CA with a restored 1890’s farm house and a 4500 sq ft shop sold in 2021 for a little less than his Porsche 911S. About what it would be worth without the McQueen connection.
McQueen became a Christian shortly before his cancer diagnosis. It was by all appearances a genuine conversion based on what I’ve read. That’s something worth emulating.
@ Stembridge If he did become a Christian before he died, then he did that one right. Some of us saw the light a lot earlier, LOL, but I didn’t have his money or his fame either. Thanks for the info.
The cover of Sports Illustrated with McQueen on it riding his Husky is the highest-selling issue they ever.
Regarding his personal life, he was an orphan and abused as a child. It’s amazing he wasn’t more screwed up.
Nice one. I wouldn’t buy it because I can’t afford it. 😢!
Can I borrow $350-$400K??????
The car lives here in Massachusetts, very nice it’s guaranteed to have a title
Always encouraging of hearing of a Hollywood Stars conversion. The price will go up no doubt because it belonged to him. How much did the Stang go for?!!
Three point four million dollars I believe. 3.74 million dollars inc. auction fees.
This isn’t a barn find?
You’re right jwaltb, Josh said in the first line of the story that it wasn’t a barn find, duh!
My vote is for Paul Newman as the king of cool!
One of my favorite movies is Peckinpah’s “The Getaway”. There were some memorable car scenes featuring McQueen & Mcgraw.
Great car scenes, and I always got a kick out of the shot gun in the florist’s box trick.