Kellison

This Kellison J-4EX coupe was sold by Jim Kellison in 1987 and was later found in a junkyard prior to it being recommissioned under previous ownership. It was later sold by the selling dealer in 2014 to its current owner, who commissioned a multi-year refurbishment. Work performed involved reshaping the rear fiberglass fenders, repainting the exterior in blue, re-trimming the interior in black leather with plaid inserts, overhauling the Chevrolet 283ci V8 as well as the suspension and rear differential, and installing rack-and-pinion steering, four-wheel disc brakes, and a Tremec TKO five-speed manual transmission. Further equipment includes 15″ alloy wheels, Safecraft six-point seatbelts, a roll bar, Smiths instrumentation, and a wood-rimmed steering wheel. The car was campaigned in the 30th New England 1000 vintage rally in 2022, was featured in a December 2022 issue of Collectible Automobile magazine, and was shown in The Quail in August 2023. This Kellison J-4EX is now offered on dealer consignment with a set of wheel center caps, uninstalled Kellison badges and trim pieces, spare plaid material, a Hurst shifter, refurbishment records, a New England 1000 commemorative plate, a magazine featuring the car, and a California title listing the car as a 1960 Kelli. The fiberglass body is mounted to a Kellison tube frame and was reportedly repainted in Cotswold Blue with white roundels on the hood, door, and rear panel under current ownership, at which time the rear fiberglass fenders were widened and the body was reinforced. A Studebaker-sourced windshield was replaced under prior ownership, and additional exterior details include a hood scoop, fender vents, a driver’s door mirror, a polished LeMans-style fuel filler, and dual side-exit exhaust outlets ahead of the rear wheels. Black-finished 15″ Crestline Mark II alloy wheels featured Kellison-branded center caps in addition to polished lips and are mounted with 205/65 front and 225/70 rear Hankook Kinergy ST tires showing 2020 date codes. The front independent suspension was installed under current ownership along with four-wheel disc brakes, and the tube chassis was reinforced. The low-back bucket seats were re-trimmed under current ownership in black leather upholstery with plaid inserts, and they are complemented by red diamond-stitched marine-grade vinyl on the door panels and along the transmission tunnel as well as behind the seats. Safecraft six-point harnesses have been fitted for each occupant, and additional appointments include a roll bar, a mouse hair-style dashboard covering, and door map pockets. The wood-rimmed steering wheel features a Kellison center emblem and sits ahead of Smiths instrumentation consisting of a 140-mph speedometer, a tachometer, and auxiliary gauges for oil pressure, coolant temperature, amperage, and fuel level. The digital odometer indicates 2,200 miles, all of which were added under current ownership. Total chassis mileage is unknown. The Chevrolet 283ci V8 was overhauled during the refurbishment and features a Holley carburetor, an Edelbrock intake manifold, Kellison-branded valve covers, an ATI damper, tubular exhaust headers, an aluminum radiator, and dual electric cooling fans mounted below the engine. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a Tremec TKO five-speed manual transmission and a GM 7.5″ rear end with a limited-slip differential. The transmission was installed under current ownership along with a custom-fabricated fuel cell. The rear end was rebuilt in August 2020. A New England 1000 commemorative plate, a The Quail 2023 commemorative participant sculpture, a Hurst shifter, set of wheel center caps, uninstalled Kellison badges and trim pieces, spare plaid material, refurbishment records, and a magazine featuring the car are included in the sale. Photos taken during various stages of refurbishment work are provided in the gallery below.