Reasons the Ligier JS2 Stands Out in Classic Car History

Guy Ligier was a man with zeal – not only was he a racing driver, but he was also a champion rower and rugby player. His passion for racing led to the creation of iconic cars like the Ligier JS2.

When injuries forced his retirement from rugby, he set about racing on two wheels and four. This passion morphed into building his own car alongside Jo Schlesser, which would outperform the machines they both drove.

We saw this iconic and very rare 1973 Ligier JS2 at the 2025 Concours of Elegance held at Hampton Court Palace. This car was one of many that grabbed my attention, you can see much more Concours of Elegance content here, and videos on our YouTube Concours of Elegance playlist.

The Second Model: Sleek, Swoopy, and Rare

The JS2 was the second model to appear, sporting a swoopy glassfibre body. Although the car was first shown with a Ford V6, the Blue Oval had its own plans for a similar model, the GT70; as a consequence, the automaker refused to supply any engines.

Guy Ligier instead turned to Citroën, which let him use the Maserati V6 from the SM. This was later replaced with the 2.9-litre unit from the Merak.

Ambitions Beyond the Road

Production came to an end when Citroën finally offloaded Maserati, leaving Ligier without an engine. He had grander aspirations, however – he bought the assets of Equipe Matra Sports and formed Equipe Ligier in 1976 to take on Formula 1.

With support from French President François Mitterrand, the blue Matras had some success; they finished second in the 1980 F1 World Championship, and took nine victories over 20 years – 17 of them under Guy Ligier’s control.

Chassis No. 25377303: A Survivor

Built in 1973 and completed on February 21, this particular JS emerged midway through the 1971-75 production run yet was not registered until 1975. It retains its original early nose with Plexiglas-covered headlights, a defining model feature lost on many early examples when upgraded to pop-up units that proved unreliable and far less attractive.

The new-sale delays may have stemmed from bodywork damage sustained in a spin that left both ends scraped but spared the chassis. Rather than repair the body, the decision was taken to replace the entire thing.

The JS2’s early life is obscure – there was no Ligier club or dealer network when Guy Ligier halted production in 1976 to pursue Formula 1, leaving these cars as orphans. Many of the 82 built succumbed to accidents, neglect or lack of maintenance, yet a handful survived thanks to the classic vehicle movement.

Restoration and Heritage

Decades later, chassis no. 25377303 appeared for sale near Grenoble. It was bought by Michel Tétu, who designed the JS2 for Ligier. He meticulously restored it and rebuilt the engine, fitting more reliable, solid valves.

Tétu later sold the car to Mr Fleury in Yvelines, who in turn sold it in 2014 to Jacques Nicolet, Ligier’s new owner, as a heritage showpiece.

Under Nicolet it featured at Magny-Cours and the Le Mans Classic, and it was briefly trialled with electronic fuel injection before reverting to its standard carbs for sale to the Thierry Dehaeck Collection.

Technical Specifications

Engine: 2965cc / V6 / naturally aspirated / DOHC
Transmission: Five-speed manual, RWD
Power: 195bhp
Torque: 192lb ft
Top Speed: 145mph
0–60mph: 7secs
Weight: 1069kg

Conclusion

The 1973 Ligier JS2 is more than just a rare 1970s sports car – it’s a testament to Guy Ligier’s relentless ambition and vision. From its swoopy glassfibre body to the powerful Maserati-derived V6, every detail reflects a car built to stand out both on the road and in automotive history.

Chassis no. 25377303, meticulously restored by its original designer Michel Tétu, preserves a tangible link to this brief but brilliant era of French motoring.

Do you think the Ligier JS2 could have become a mainstream success if production had continued? Would you rather own a rare, historic car like this or a modern supercar with cutting-edge performance?

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