Ligier JS1
The Ligier JS1 was a racing sports car built by Ligier in 1969 and used in sports car races in 1969 and 1970.
The JS1 was the first racing car built by Ligier. In 1968 Guy Ligier had the idea of developing a sports car based on the Porsche 911 . But it wasn't until the former Renault technician Michel Tetu , who joined Ligier in 1969, that the project got off the ground.
The JS1 was presented at the Paris Motor Show in September 1969 . The car was a mid-engined racing car with a tubular space frame . A 1.6 liter Cosworth engine was originally installed, which was replaced by a Cosworth FVC in 1970. This increased the engine output from 220 to 240 hp (164 to 184 kW). The body made of glass fiber reinforced plastic had Pietro Frua designed. Guy Ligier himself competed in his first race in 1969 with the 1.6-liter variant, but failed at the national event with bearing damage.
In 1970 Ligier won the JS1 sports car races in Albi and Montlhéry before the team came to the Le Mans 24-hour race for the first time . The 1970 race marked Ligier's entry into international motorsport. Jean-Claude Andruet , who had already had some success in racing, was hired as a partner . The duo qualified the car in 13th place and was among the top ten in the overall standings when the race had to be abandoned after eight hours due to persistent problems with the ignition distributor.
In the Tour de France for automobiles in 1970 , Ligier used two works cars. Both cars received new engines. One vehicle received a 2.6-liter V6 engine from a Ford Capri , the second car was fitted with a 2.4-liter Weslake . However, both cars failed.
Ligier only built three JS1s, since 1970 was already working on the successor model, the JS2 . One car has been restored in an exemplary manner and has been seen at events for historic racing vehicles since 2004.
