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  Article Image gallery (92) Chassis (2) Specifications  
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Country of origin:France
Produced in:1975
Numbers built:3
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:October 22, 2014
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Click here to download printer friendly versionGuy Ligier had already successfully played rugby and raced motorcycles when he moved to four wheels during the 1960s. He competed in several Grands Prix as a privateer but also drove a Ford GT40 MkII to victory in the 1967 Reims 12 Hours with his friend Jo Schlesser. Following Schlesser's tragic death at the 1968 French Grand Prix, he hung up his racing gloves. Instead Ligier set about creating his own mid-engined sports car. Launched in 1969, it was known as the JS1 in memory of Jo Schlesser.

Only three experimental, competition cars were built when work started on the more production oriented JS2. Sadly, development was delayed as original engine supplier Ford backed out of the project as they feared the JS2 would rival their mid-engined GT70. Eventually a suitable replacement was found in the Maserati V6 that was also used by the Citroën SM. It was mounted amidships in a conventional steel chassis designed by Michel Tetu. The car was clothed in a fibreglass body that had been penned by Pietro Frua, who also had also been responsible for the JS1 design.

Considering its competition roots, it was hardly surprising that Tetu had also developed a race-ready version of the JS2. Built to the relatively lenient Group 5 regulations, the competition JS2 featured an aluminium version of road-going chassis. The engine was developed to produce a hefty 330 bhp. In its initial guise, the BP liveried JS2 looked deceivingly standard. During its debut season, 1972, it only appeared in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Three cars were entered but all retired with engine related issues.

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  Article Image gallery (92) Chassis (2) Specifications