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Ligier JS2

From Alfawiki
Automobiles Ligier
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1968
FounderGuy Ligier
Headquarters
Abrest
,
France
ProductsLigier JS2 sports coupé

The Ligier JS2 is a mid-engine sports coupé manufactured by Ligier at their facility in Abrest, France, between 1971 and 1975. Both street-legal and racing variants were produced.

Development and antecedent

Guy Ligier and his racing collaborator Jo Schlesser set out to create a vehicle that overcame the shortcomings of their prior models. Following Schlesser's fatal accident, Ligier retired from competitive racing and established Automobiles Ligier in 1968.

The JS2 was the second model introduced by the company, succeeding the Ligier JS1. The JS1 incorporated an aluminum frame designed by Chief Engineer Michel Têtu with fiberglass body panels crafted by Pietro Frua. Throughout its production, it utilized four different powerplants—two iterations of the Cosworth FVA DOHC inline-four engines and two variants of the Ford Cologne V6 engine OHV V6. The Cosworth units were mated to Hewland transaxles, whereas the Ford V6s operated with modified transaxles sourced from the Citroën SM. Only three JS1 cars were built, competing exclusively in the Prototype category.

Evolution and characteristics

To qualify for participation in the GT class, homologation required manufacturing 500 units. Ligier aimed to fulfill this criterion with the JS2.[1][2] As with the JS1, the model's designation pays tribute to Jo Schlesser.[3][4]

The styling of the JS2 retained influences from the JS1, featuring bodywork by Frua. Guy Ligier prioritized cabin dimensions to achieve a low center of gravity, enhanced visibility, wide door openings for ease of entry, and a functional luggage compartment.[5][6]

Constructed on a backbone chassis composed of polyurethane foam sandwiched between steel sheets,[7][2] it incorporated wishbone suspension with coil springs on all corners,[8] power-assisted disc brakes, and anti-roll bars front and rear.[3] Components such as door handles and tail-lights were sourced from Peugeot and Citroën. The vehicle’s weight ranged between 980 and 1030 kg.[1]

The JS2 made its public debut at the 1970 Paris Salon initially equipped with a 2.6-litre Ford V6 engine. Although Ford intended to use this engine for their GT70 project, they declined to supply Ligier.[9]

Ligier subsequently secured an agreement with Citroën’s Raymond Ravenel to utilize the Maserati C114 V6 engine from the SM.[7] This unit, designed by Giulio Alfieri, was a 90-degree DOHC 12-valve V6 displacing 2675 cc, weighing 140 kg, and delivering 170 CV.[2]

Engineer Têtu adapted the rear chassis cradle to accommodate the Maserati powerplant, extending the wheelbase by 50 mm.[7] The design was further refined by coachbuilders Pichon-Parat.[9][6][4] The updated JS2 was unveiled at the 1971 Salon de l'Auto with a price tag of 74,000 francs (approximately US$13,350). Initial deliveries commenced in November 1972 with a total of 48 units produced that year.[7][10][1]

In February 1973, the JS2 adopted a larger version of the C114 engine shared with the Maserati Merak: a displacement of 2965 cc producing 195 CV, accompanied by a price increase to 74,500 francs. Production expanded to 80 units.[9][7][1]

By 1974, Ligier had formed a partnership with Citroën to distribute JS2s through its dealership network, which also handled after-sales support. Additionally, Citroën transferred assembly of the SM model to Ligier’s Abrest plant. That year marked peak production with 114 cars built.[9][7]

The "Series 2" iteration introduced in 1975 featured a revised front end incorporating concealed headlamps and five-lug wheels; pricing rose to 80,000 francs.[9] However, due to the significant contraction in specialty car markets following the 1973 oil crisis, only seven Series 2 examples were manufactured.[7]

Financial difficulties forced Citroën into a merger with Peugeot's PSA Group. Meanwhile, Maserati entered receivership in May 1975,[11] later acquired by De Tomaso who discontinued production of the C114 V6 engine. This left Ligier without an engine supplier and brought an end to JS2 production for road use.

Motorsports

Similar to the JS1, the racing iteration of the JS2 was constructed with an aluminum frame rather than steel.

  • 1972 - During the 24 Hours of Le Mans, every vehicle was forced to retire due to engine failures. The sole victory that year came at the Rally of Bayonne, piloted by Jean-François Piot.
  • 1973 - Following Têtu's move to Autodelta, Michel Beaujon assumed responsibility for JS2 development. Under Citroën sponsorship, the team enhanced aerodynamic performance by introducing a redesigned front end and a rear spoiler. Maserati upgraded the engine by implementing a dry-sump lubrication system and boosting output to 330 CV. Despite these improvements, engine difficulties led to the withdrawal of both factory-entered cars at Le Mans; only a private competitor managed to finish. At the Tour de France event, Gérard Larousse and Guy Chasseuil dominated by winning 14 out of 17 stages but were ultimately eliminated due to distributor malfunction.
  • 1974 - Backed by Total S.A., Guy Chasseuil achieved overall victory in the Le Mans 4 Hour race. JS2s participated in most World Championship rounds with modest results; Jacques Lafitte and Alain Serpaggi secured eighth place at Le Mans. The season's highlight was the Tour de France race, where JS2s claimed both first and second positions.
  • 1975 - With sponsorship from Gitanes, two factory JS2s were fitted with Cosworth DFV V8 engines, replacing the Maserati powerplants. At Le Mans, two Cosworth-powered entries and one Maserati-powered car took the start; Jean-Louis Lafosse and Chasseuil's Cosworth-equipped car engaged in a close battle but ultimately finished second behind a Mirage. This represented the team's best finish at Le Mans and marked the final competitive appearance for the JS2 as Ligier redirected efforts toward Formula One.

Prominent French drivers who competed in Ligier JS2s included Guy Ligier, Michel Leclère, Henri Pescarolo, François Migault, Jean-Pierre Beltoise, and Jean-Pierre Jarier.

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lautomobileancienne
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named larevueautomobile
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ParisMatch
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named boitierrouge
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named classicdriver
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named velocetoday
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named automobile-sportive
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named beaulieu
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ligierjs2.fr
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named aonclassiccar
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named nyt
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