Description

1926 Jowett Long Four

Delightful Light Car with space for the family; Jowett reliability; very pretty and eligible for all sorts of exciting VSCC events

This Long Four Tourer was registered on the 30th December 1926 but is actually a 1927 model and was supplied by A. Smith & Sons of Stanton, near Chippenham and still maintains its original dealer’s plate.

The car was owned by Dr Robert Dyke, of Penzance who kept the Jowett for almost sixty years and is well-known in vintage car circles for his Whistling Billy racing steam car.

The old Jowett could be a very tidy car with a little tlc, the car having been stored for a while so it really needs some spit and polish. There is some minor blistering to the paintwork and signs of long use - it is 97 years old after all - but it is an honest vintage car with a lot of life left in it and would be welcome at VSCC Light Car and Edwardian Section events where its blunt northern charm will cut a swathe through the ranks of effeminate Amilcars and the like.

A large history file accompanies the Jowett with information and photographs reaching back to the early 1950s and V5C, old style V5, Old Buff Log Book plus some receipts for works over the years plus a wad of old MOTs, manual, club correspondence and other useful diagrams etc.

It hasn't run for a year or two so will need a new battery and fresh fuel, but was reported to be running sweetly when it was turned off and these motors are so basic and simple to manage.

Model background - Bill and Ben and Arthur Lamb sound like characters from ‘Watch With Mother’, but they were, in fact, the founders of the Jowett Motor Manufacturing Company (William and Benjamin being the Jowett brothers).

Car production began as early as 1906 but it was the post-Great War 7hp flat-twin engined cars that made the Jowett name. By comparison with most light cars of the period the flat twin engine was both smooth and powerful.

The Long Four was introduced in 1923 and was, as you might imagine, a long-wheel-base four-seater. Offered as an open Tourer, the car had Jowett’s trademark 907cc flat twin engine with three-speed gearbox and sold for £245.00 – at a time when the Austin 7 sold for £167.00. The Jowett must have been a quality product to persuade ‘ard ‘eaded Yorkshiremen (and others) to part with their brass.

For more information contact - will.daniels@brightwells.com