Jowett Type C

The Jowett brothers made their first car in 1906, but production for sale was delayed because of their many varied engineering projects - and making the first six Scott motorcycles. By the time the car went on sale it was tested and well proven.

The Jowett light car, on sale in 1910, had a small, but powerful, Jowett-made water cooled flat-twin engine of 816cc connected to a three speed gearbox and mounted in an open two-seater body constructed with aluminium panels by local company Ryder. With low gear ratios and good power-to-weight ratio it had the right formula for the hills and rough roads of the brothers’ homeland. Forty-eight cars – the first 12 with tiller steering – were produced before 1914.

Following World War 1 the Jowett factory moved to Idle, just outside Bradford, and continued manufacture of the light car, increasing engine capacity first to 831cc and then 907cc. This engine, the ‘Seven’, was to be the sole Jowett power unit until a four-cylinder was introduced in 1936. Local coachbuilder, Humbouldt, produced bodies until 1920 when Jowett took the task in-house.

Improvements to the original Jowett light car were progressive. A four-seat tourer was introduced in 1923 and a four-door saloon in 1926 and in 1928 a two-seat sports. Four-brakes did not arrive until 1929 and a synchromesh gearbox in 1940. Nearly 3,500 cars were produced in 1927 whilst Bradford commercial vehicles (with the same twin-cylinder engine) were an important part of production from 1922. A range of coachbuilt bodies appeared in the early 1930’s.

Following the Second World War, with the brothers both retired, Jowett was to produce its tour(s) de force, the Javelin saloon and Jupiter sports. Designed by former MG man Gerald Palmer with 1486cc flat-four engine, torsion bar suspension, and rack and pinion steering, all in a streamlined body, the pair were the most advanced British designs of 1946. Motor sport success followed but sales were never as well as hoped. Jowett ceased production in 1954.

About this vehicle

Built in 1926 this Model C ‘Chummy’ tourer has bodywork in aluminium over a coach built ash frame. Fully restored in recent years with the original 7hp twin-cylinder engine, it was owned by Richard Shuttleworth who used it extensively as a runabout on the estate and in the local area.

This car was originally registered as NM8092 but the number lapsed and after restoration it was given the age-related registration SV6601.

Richard owned three Jowetts and thought very highly of them. “You can take them anywhere”, he said. “A Jowett is the only car I know that will go across a field of Brussel sprouts in top gear!”

Specification