Jowett Cars

Jowett Cars Limited
Company type	Public (from 1935)
Industry	Automobile manufacturing
Predecessor	Jowett Motor Manufacturing Company
Founded	1901
Founder	Benjamin Jowett, William Jowett, Arthur V. Lamb
Defunct	1954
Fate	Ceased automobile production; factory sold to International Harvester; taken over by Blackburn in 1956
Successor	None
Headquarters	Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
Area served	United Kingdom and exports beyond local region
Key people	Benjamin Jowett, William Jowett, Gerald Palmer (designer), Charles Clore (owner 1945), A.F. Jopling (Chairman)
Products	Light automobiles and commercial vehicles
Owner	Lazard Brothers (from 1947)
Parent	Blackburn & General Aircraft Company (from 1956)

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Jowett Cars, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 2025

Jowett operated as a producer of light automobiles and commercial vehicles based in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, from 1906 until 1954.

Early history

The company was established in 1901 by siblings Benjamin (1877–1963) and William (1880–1965) Jowett, together with Arthur V. Lamb. Initially, their focus was on manufacturing cycles and V-twin engines designed for machinery, some of which were adapted locally as substitutes for car engines. By 1904, they had incorporated as the Jowett Motor Manufacturing Company located on Back Burlington Street in Bradford. Their inaugural lightweight automobile was completed in February 1906; however, due to limited workshop capacity and ongoing engineering development, full-scale production only commenced in 1910 after extensive testing exceeding .

Their objective centered on delivering an affordable, lightweight vehicle with minimal operational costs. The prototype incorporated an aluminium engine and gearbox crafted expressly for light cars, tailored to handle the demanding hilly landscapes of Yorkshire where robustness was prioritized over speed. Benjamin Jowett highlighted that existing light car engines either suffered rapid wear or imposed excessive weight on the chassis; their design was specifically engineered to address these issues.

The production version rapidly gained traction. It was equipped with an 816 cc flat twin water-cooled engine generating 6.4 hp alongside a three-speed gearbox controlled by tiller steering. The body was a lightweight open two-seater configuration. Although it was marketed under an 8 hp rating without technical alterations, Jowett acknowledged that consumers expected at least 10 hp. Before introducing an enhanced wheel-steering variant in 1913, twelve units were manufactured; subsequently, 36 more were produced prior to World War I, which redirected the factory’s efforts toward munitions production. Two original tiller-steered vehicles remain extant.

Inter-war years

In June 1919, Jowett Cars Limited was created to handle the manufacture and sale of automobiles, taking over the car production division from Jowett Motor Manufacturing Company. The firm became publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange in 1935.

A new manufacturing plant was opened in 1919 at Springfield on Bradford Road in Idle, situated on a former quarry site. Vehicle production recommenced in 1920 with the introduction of the Jowett Seven, which featured an enlarged version of the pre-war flat twin engine—initially 831 cc and increased to 907 cc by 1921. This engine earned a reputation for its dependable low-rev torque, fuel efficiency, and reliability. Starting from 1922, commercial vehicles built upon car chassis were also manufactured and quickly became a substantial segment of their output. Following their debut at the London Motor Show in 1921, Jowett expanded its market reach beyond the local region.

By 1923, advancements such as coil ignition and electric starters were incorporated along with the launch of the four-seater "Long Four" tourer priced at £245; a closed saloon model was introduced two years later in 1925. In 1929, improvements included removable cylinder heads to facilitate maintenance and the addition of four-wheel brakes. Production experienced a temporary stoppage in September 1931 due to a fire at the factory.

The Jowett Kestrel appeared in 1933 featuring a four-speed transmission, followed by the introduction of the Jowett Weasel sports tourer in 1935. The company’s first four-cylinder (flat four) model debuted in 1936 with the release of the 1166 cc twin-carburettor Jowett Ten, which remained in production until World War II alongside twin-cylinder models that had grown to 946 cc by 1937. The company went public in 1935; Benjamin Jowett retired the following year while his brother William continued managing operations until 1940.

Second World War

Automobile manufacturing was halted in 1940; nevertheless, the company continued producing engines for motor-generator units and aircraft components. These engines were also utilized in fire pumps powered by Jowett. In 1945, the firm was acquired by property developer Charles Clore, who then sold it two years later to the banking institution Lazard Brothers.

Post-war

Following the war, production of passenger cars discontinued the twin-cylinder engine, although it remained in use for commercial vehicles such as the light lorry Bradford van, two estate car variants named Utility, and chassis kits supplied to external coachbuilders, many of which were overseas. The new models featured a complete overhaul with the introduction of the streamlined Jowett Javelin, designed under Gerald Palmer’s leadership. This model incorporated cutting-edge elements including a flat-four push-rod engine, independent front suspension with torsion bars at both front and rear, and unitary body construction—offering speeds up to with superior handling characteristics.

In 1950, the company launched the sports-focused Jowett Jupiter, featuring a chassis designed by Eberan von Eberhorst, known for his work with Auto Union. The bodies for the Javelin and Bradford were outsourced to Briggs Motor Bodies, which established a new facility in Doncaster to deliver fully trimmed bodies; meanwhile, Jupiter bodies continued to be produced internally at Idle. Although initial mechanical difficulties affected the Javelin, production continued as planned. However, exports plummeted by 75% in 1952 alongside weak domestic sales caused by increased purchase tax until April 1953—inflicting lasting harm on Jowett’s business.

Financially sound yet undermined by poor strategic choices and excessive confidence, the company struggled. Even after resolving mechanical issues, Idle’s factory failed to meet production goals and distributors could not achieve anticipated sales volumes. Interruptions in body supply forced suspension of both Javelin and the aging Bradford models in 1953 despite completed tooling for new vehicles. Demand for the Jupiter persisted until production ceased in 1954. Subsequently, the factory was sold to International Harvester, which manufactured tractors there until the early 1980s; the facility was demolished in 1983.

Jowett transitioned to producing aircraft components for Blackburn & General Aircraft Company at a former woollen mill located in Howden Clough, Birstall, near Batley. Reduced to a corporate shell, Jowett was taken over by Blackburn in 1956. Spare parts for postwar vehicles remained available until 1963 when industry rationalization led to closure of the remaining Jowett operations.

Crisis and closure

On 15 April 1953, purchase tax on new cars was cut by 25% (from % to 50%), sparking a surge in UK vehicle demand. During this production boom, Ford acquired Briggs Motor Bodies Limited in April 1953, gaining majority control and eventually full ownership. The Briggs Doncaster plant became surplus to Ford's requirements and was subsequently sold to Fisher and Ludlow, later absorbed by British Motor Corporation.

In July of that year, Jowett Cars’ Chairman A.F. Jopling reported ongoing difficulties securing car bodies and warned of probable production interruptions later in the year. Exports had declined nearly 75% between 1951 and 1952, while domestic sales dropped sharply to just 15% by late 1952 due to tax-driven demand shifts.

By mid-September, the board announced an inevitable production halt of uncertain duration. Attempts were made to secure alternative work to keep factory operations running; however, delays forced postponement of new commercial vehicle and estate car launches despite completed tooling.

With working capital exhausted, automobile manufacturing ceased entirely. In July 1954, Jowett declared the sale of its principal Idle factory to International Harvester, excluding service and spare parts equipment.

Following BMC’s acquisition of Fisher and Ludlow in late 1953, Jowett found it difficult to sustain economic viability after stopping production of Javelin and Bradford models. Nevertheless, a modest profit was reported for that financial year.

At the August 1954 Annual General Meeting, the chairman expressed profound regret over the company’s circumstances and its effects on owners of approximately 65,000 vehicles produced since 1946.

Shareholders eventually recovered more than their shares’ nominal value by mid-1955.

Notable models

Model	Engine	Units produced	Body types	Production years	Remarks
Jowett 6 hp	816 cc water-cooled side-valve flat twin	48	Two-seater	1906–1914	Equipped with a three-speed transmission. Engine capacity increased to 831 cc starting in 1914.
Jowett 7 hp	907 cc side-valve flat twin	11,444 (including Long 7)	Two-door fabric saloon, coachbuilt saloon	1919–1930	Features a three-speed gearbox. Four-wheel brakes introduced in 1930. Wheelbase measures 84 in (2,100 mm).
Jowett "Long" 7 hp	907 cc side-valve flat twin	Included in above total (Short and Long combined)	Varied styles: sports tourer, fabric and coachbuilt saloons, deluxe saloons, tourers	1930–1936	Extended wheelbase of 102 in (2,600 mm). Introduced 12-volt electrical system (1933), four-speed gearbox (1934), and twin carburettors on the Weasel variant.
Jowett Ten	1166 cc side-valve flat four	1,881	Saloon variants and van	1936–1940	Featured twin carburettors until the year 1937.
Jowett Eight	946 cc side-valve flat twin	2,888	Saloon	1937–1940
Jowett Javelin	1486 cc overhead-valve flat four	23,307	Saloon	1947–1953	Achieved rally success including class victories at Monte Carlo (1949), Spa (1949), RAC Rally (1952,1953), and overall win at the International Tulip Rally (1953).
Jowett Jupiter	1486 cc overhead-valve flat four	900	Convertible	1950–1954	Utilized a tubular semi-space frame chassis with hydraulic brakes. Some chassis were provided to coachbuilders such as Pininfarina, Ghia-Aigle, E. D. Abbott Ltd, and Harold Radford. Achieved class victory at the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans, overall win at Lisbon International Rally (1951), and class wins at Le Mans in both 1951 and 1952.
Jowett Bradford	1005 cc side-valve flat twin	38,241	Light truck, van, utility vehicle	1946–1953	Equipped with a three-speed gearbox.
Jowett Jupiter#Jupiter R4 (plastic-bodied)	1486 cc overhead-valve flat four	3	Sports prototype	1953	Constructed with a fabric-reinforced plastic body. Did not reach production. Maximum speed approximately 100^{[convert: needs unit name]}.

Clubs

Within the UK, there are eight distinct Jowett club regions, complemented by vibrant communities in both Australia and New Zealand dedicated to preserving and celebrating Jowett automobiles. Members participate in local gatherings as well as an annual National Rally, attracting enthusiasts from the USA and Europe.

Renowned owners of the Jowett Jupiter

John Blashford-Snell – noted explorer
Don Cockell – professional boxer
Peter Craven – accomplished speedway rider
Ernest Dudley – author specializing in crime fiction
Martin Fry – frontman of the band ABC
Red Skelton – famous comedian
John Surtees – racing driver
Peter Ustinov – actor and playwright
Budge Rogers – Bedford Rugby Captain and England international with 34 caps
Bill Lock – father of comedian Trevor Lock, whose band 'Jowett' took its name from the car

Additional resources

Stokoe, Noel: Sporting Jowetts, published by The History Press in 2009
Stokoe, Noel: Jowett 1901–1954, Tempus Publishing Limited

External resources