An Important Kellison J-5 Racer

Back in 1954 Jim Kellison had a dream of building a car to compete against the Ferraris and Alfas of the day, with one usual component, it would be a kit-car. He turned out modern aerodynamic fiberglass coupe or roadster bodies, available to customers via mail order, ready to be fitted to a number of different automotive substructures, primarily a Corvette chassis for the original J-4 model in 1958.

In need of results which would wow the automotive public, Jim hired veritable Indy car chassis builder Chuck Manning. He implemented a tubular x-frame which set a new course for the Kellison cars starting with the J-5.

This 1959 J-5, seen here at Amelia Island in 2015, is also known as the Kellison-Manning Special.  Only two factory cars were built especially for the Bonneville Salt Flats, this car, originally powered by a Chrysler-Hemi. One of the two cars is said to have a achieved 141 mph on the Salt Flats. Later converted to Corvette power and onto life as a dragster, having been built for straight line running, it was yet again amended to be able to turn. Found sporting its original Chrysler running gear in the 90s, it has under gone an extensive restoration mindful of its history but with track usage in mind.  This J-5 has lived up to Kellison’s original hopes by competing, though now in historic racing, by competing successfully at Elkhart Lake, Watkins Glen, Sebring and Indianapolis among other worthy race tracks.

There were many Kellison kit cars produced over before the company shut down in 1970 including the J-5. There were a total of six J models, a couple of K models and numerous named models mostly racers, though there was a few dune buggy kits as well.  There are a few of the J models around, if you see one you’ve experienced a rare sight.