Ligier JS2
| Ligier JS2 | |
|---|---|
1973 Ligier JS2
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Automobiles Ligier |
| Production | 1971-1975 |
| Assembly | France: Abrest, Allier |
| Designer | Pietro Frua |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | OHV V6 (Ford) DOHC V6 (Maserati) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,350 mm (92.5 in) |
| Length | 4,250 mm (167.3 in) |
| Width | 1,720 mm (67.7 in) |
| Height | 1,151 mm (45.3 in) |
| Kerb weight | 980 kg (2,161 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ligier JS1 |
The Ligier JS2 is a mid-engined sports coupé that was built by Ligier in the French commune of Abrest near Vichy in the department of Allier between 1971 and 1975. Road-going and competition versions were built.
Guy Ligier and racing teammate, business partner and close friend Jo Schlesser talked about together building a car that would overcome the shortcomings of the cars they were driving. Following Schlesser's death Ligier retired from racing and established Automobiles Ligier in 1968.
The JS2 was the company's second product, the first having been the JS1. That car was built on an aluminum chassis designed by Chief Engineer Michel Têtu with fibreglass bodywork by Frua. Four different engines would be used at different times - two versions of the Cosworth FVA DOHC inline four-cylinder engine and two versions of the Ford Cologne OHV V6 engine. The Cosworths were mated to Hewland transaxles while the Fords were bolted to a modified transaxle from the Citroën SM. Due to there only ever being three JS1s built it was limited to racing in the Prototype class.
To qualify to race in the GT class, 500 copies of a car had to have been built. Ligier's plan was to reach that goal with the JS2. The letters in the name of the car, like the JS1 before it, are a tribute to Schlesser.
The new car's appearance was similar to that of the JS1. Bodywork was again by Frua, but Guy Ligier insisted that the proportions of the cabin be adjusted so that the car was not too wide and had a low centre of gravity and good outward visibility. His requirement that it also be practical necessitated wide doors for ease of access and a usable trunk.
The road-car was built on a backbone chassis made of a layer of polyurethane foam sandwiched between sheets of steel. Suspension was by wishbones and coil springs on all four corners. Braking was by power-assisted discs. Anti-roll bars were mounted front and rear. Minor components like door-handles and tail-lights were sourced from major brands like Peugeot and Citroën. Weight is variously given as 980 kg or 1030 kb.
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