1928 Jowett 7/17 Sports Racer

Two brothers from Yorkshire named Ben and William Jowett began building V-twin engines for cars and Scott motorcycles in 1904. In 1910, they turned to building complete cars. After World War I, they introduced their most successful design, the Jowett 7, a light, economical two-seater that was powered by a water-cooled, opposed, twin-cylinder engine. Thousands of these little cars were produced, including (in 1928) 15 two-seater sports racer models with special door-less aluminum racing bodies. These sports racer models were primarily used for publicity purposes and were the forerunners of the great sporting Jowetts that would follow decades later. The most famous were the Javelin Sedan and Jupiter Roadster, which were very successful in 1950s racing.

This Sports Racer began life in 1928 as a tourer, but it was re-bodied as a replica of the 1928 Sports Racer model in the 1970s. The car was built by former owner John Stuart Box, using almost all original Jowett parts to ensure authenticity. After its completion, the car was inspected by the British Veteran Sports Car Club and awarded eligibility for VSCC trials. It was used regularly from 1970 to 1992 and then restored, with the engine retaining its original standard pistons and bearings, which were still found to be in good condition.

It is believed that this vehicle may be the only two-cylinder Jowett in the United States. The engine is an air-cooled opposed twin-cylinder engine displacing 907cc and offering 7/17 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel mechanical drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2014