France’s Forgotten Sports Car: Rare Ligier JS2 to Grace Hampton Court Palace at Concours of Elegance 2025
The Concours of Elegance, presented by A. Lange & Söhne, is delighted to announce that a rare Ligier JS2 sports car will join its spectacular lineup at Hampton Court Palace from 5th-7th September 2025. This extraordinary French machine represents one of France’s most intriguing yet overlooked contributions to sports car history and will feature as part of the main concours display comprising 60 of the world’s rarest and most significant automobiles.
With only about 40 surviving examples from the original 82 produced, the Ligier JS2 stands as a testament to French engineering ingenuity and racing heritage. Created by Guy Ligier, a former rugby player, construction entrepreneur, and racing driver, the JS2 was an ambitious attempt to create a world-class French sports car that could compete with the finest from Italy and elsewhere.
James Brooks-Ward, Concours of Elegance CEO, said: “Sitting alongside race-winning Ferraris, beautiful coachbuilt Bugattis will be this Ligier, arguably one of the least seen cars ever displayed at our Concours. We celebrate automotive rarity and ingenuity in all its guises at the event, and our Selection Committee of experts loved the story of not only the Ligier company but also of this particular example, lovingly kept in perfect condition as a testament to the vision of its namesake.”
The Ligier JS2 featured a striking fibreglass body with the distinctive nose showcasing headlights under Plexiglas – the trademark JS2 look. Under the bonnet, it housed a powerful Maserati V6 engine, specifically the three-litre version from the Citroen SM. This Franco-Italian collaboration resulted in a lightweight, nimble sports car that weighed just 1,069 kilograms with a rear-biased 60/40 weight distribution.
What makes this particular Ligier JS2 (chassis #25377303) especially significant is its extraordinary provenance. Completed on February 21, 1973, this car was eventually purchased by none other than Michel Tetu, the original designer of the JS2 for Guy Ligier. This remarkable connection between car and creator adds a layer of historical importance that few collector vehicles can match.
After meticulous restoration work by Tetu himself, including a comprehensive engine rebuild, the car was acquired by Jacques Nicolet – the man who later purchased the entire Ligier company from Guy Ligier. The vehicle has been maintained in exceptional running condition and represents one of only approximately 20 Ligier JS2s still roadworthy today.
The Ligier’s appearance at Concours of Elegance 2025 offers a rare opportunity for enthusiasts to witness this elusive piece of automotive history. With its longer-than-usual suspension travel and finely controlled bound rebound, the JS2 provides exceptional handling characteristics that make it remarkably well-suited to real-world driving conditions – a testament to its thoughtful engineering and design.
Now in its 14th year, the Concours of Elegance has established itself as Europe’s premier concours event, attracting the world’s most discerning collectors and their extraordinary vehicles. The 2025 edition promises to be particularly special, featuring celebrations of Formula One’s 75th anniversary and a unique Museum of the Year showcase, alongside over 70 of the rarest and most significant cars from 120 years of automotive history.
Outside of the main Concours display there will be a number of special features, including the Levitt Concours — dedicated to the most passionate female owners — the 30UNDER30, which celebrates enthusiastic owners under 30 years of age and the Club Trophy, which gathers the very best examples of models from the nation’s best car clubs.
Away from the automotive displays, Concours of Elegance 2025 will again be an occasion of pure luxury, with champagne provided by Charles Heidsieck, picnics by Fortnum & Mason, and a collection of art, jewellery and fashion displays. Presenting Partner A. Lange & Söhne will once again showcase some of its most intricate timepieces.