Jowett car books - history and models (1/2)

Jowett - A Century of Memories

In 1906, brothers Benjamin and William Jowett designed and built their first car. By 1910, they had begun producing the Jowett, a lightweight, economical car in Bradford. In 2010, Jowett owners gathered in Yorkshire to celebrate the brand's centenary, showcasing a wide range of models, including the Bradford, Javelin, Jupiter, Long Four, and Kestrel.

Although the company closed its Bradford factory in 1954, Jowett vehicles still have a dedicated following. Notable owners have included racing driver John Surtees, actor Peter Ustinov, explorer John Blashford-Snell, and musician Martin Fry, all drawn to Jowett's distinctive character.

Author Noel Stokoe, an expert on Jowett, presents a concise history of the brand, featuring letters from past owners and rare, unpublished images from the archives of the Jowett Car Club, one of the world's oldest single-marque car clubs.

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Jowett, 1901-1954

The Jowett Motor Manufacturing Company was founded in Bradford in 1901 by Benjamin, Ruth, and William Jowett. Their first product, a V-twin engine, proved successful in various cars. In 1906, a prototype car was built with a new engine design, marking the beginning of a long line of Jowetts.

After a few years of development, production began. Although few cars were made during World War I, the company expanded during the war and resumed production in 1920. By 1927, over 3.000 Jowetts were being produced annually, known for their reliability and economy.

Post-World War II, Jowett modified its pre-war commercial vehicle, renaming it the Bradford. This van helped sustain the company as it prepared to launch the Javelin, a revolutionary saloon with a flat-four engine. However, by the early 1950s, poor sales and high development costs led to the sale of the factory in 1954. The company continued to supply spare parts until 1963, which allowed many cars to survive.

This book details the complete history of the Jowett company and its cars, including the efforts of the Jowett Car Club, founded in 1923, to preserve the marque.

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Jowetts of the 1920s

The Jowett car was created by two brothers with engineering skills, based in Idle near Bradford. Produced before the First World War, the Jowett became a well-known, reliable form of transport by the 1920s. Its ruggedness made it popular with owners, leading to the formation of the Jowett Owner's Club, which, at 90 years old, is the oldest one-make car club in the world.

The new Jowett factory in Idle opened in 1919, with the Jowett Seven being the first car produced. Commercial models followed in 1922, and the Jowett Long Four tourer was introduced in 1923, with a closed model appearing in 1925. The first decade after the war marked a high point for Jowett, as the company manufactured thousands of its economical cars and light vans for a loyal customer base.

Noel Stokoe, an expert on Jowett cars, owns two himself and serves as the club's historian.

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Jowett Cars of the 1930s

William and Ben Jowett, from Bradford, Yorkshire, built their first car in 1906 and tested it for four years before starting production in 1910. By 1916, when the factory switched to producing munitions for World War I, they had built 48 cars. Car production resumed in 1920, and sales grew steadily.

The 1930s were a challenging period for Jowett, as a fire in 1930 destroyed the factory and almost their entire stock of cars. The brothers faced a crucial decision on whether to rebuild, and fortunately, they chose to continue, leading to the production of several interesting models.

From 1906 onwards, all Jowett cars were powered by the famous flat-twin engine, known as "the little engine with the big pull, " which was used in both cars and light commercial vehicles. In 1935, a four-cylinder horizontally opposed engine was added to the lineup, and both engine types were used in various models until the outbreak of World War II.

Noel Stokoe's book explores the history of Jowett and its cars during the 1930s.

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Jowett - Advertising the Marque

This book explores the history of Jowett's unique advertising, from the early days when owning a Jowett was said to be more affordable than walking.

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Auto - Architect - The Autobiography of Gerald Palmer (1911-1999)

This illustrated book explores the life and career of Gerald Palmer (1911-1999), a notable British car designer known for his significant contributions to the automotive industry. Born in England, Palmer spent his early years in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), where his father was the chief engineer for the state railways.

Returning to England in 1927, Palmer began an engineering apprenticeship with Scammell, a commercial vehicle manufacturer, while studying at the Regent Street Polytechnic. During this time, he designed and built the 'Deroy' sports car for racing driver Joan Richmond, demonstrating his innovative spirit and engineering skills.

In 1936, Palmer joined the Morris drawing office at Cowley, contributing to the development of the MG Y-type. In 1942, he moved to Jowett Cars in Bradford, where he led the design of the Jowett Javelin, a pioneering model with a flat-four engine and unitary body construction.

Palmer returned to Morris in 1949, designing models like the MG ZA Magnette and Wolseley 4/44. By 1952, he became chief engineer at the British Motor Corporation (BMC), overseeing the development of the Riley Pathfinder and Wolseley 6/90. After leaving BMC in 1955, Palmer joined Vauxhall Motors, contributing to the Victor and Viva ranges before retiring in 1972.

This second edition, published five years after Palmer's death in 1999, provides a thorough review of his impact on the motor industry. It includes previously unpublished photographs, offering readers a visual journey through Palmer's influential designs and lasting legacy.

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