Description
A rare bird indeed. Built to trundle through the ups and downs of the Yorkshire Dales, this diminutive four-seater saloon powered by a flat-twin 907cc engine was an innovative and discerning choice when new and today represents a unique insight into quirky pre-war motoring. The subject of an older restoration and recently recommissioned for the open road, our little Kestrel presented in Black over Green with Green trim is a genuine survivor and runs very sweetly. Benefitting from a small history file documenting the past 20 years of enthusiastic ownership, this charming example makes for an unusual alternative to other 1930`s offerings from Austin and Morris and is season-ready to be enjoyed.
With origins going back to 1901, the Jowett Motor Manufacturing Company was ultimately established in 1904 based in Burlington Street, Bradford in the heart of the West Riding of Yorkshire. The first light car emerged in 1906 albeit not put into production until 1910 after exhaustive road trials. The aim was always simple. To design and build a high quality, lightweight but low-cost vehicle that had sufficient torque to cope with the hills and dales of the local countryside. It wasn`t about speed or acceleration, more about dependability and low running costs. Early cars became very popular and were powered by an aluminium 816cc flat-twin water-cooled engine which again featured with the introduction of the Severn from 1920. The next decade saw an ever-increasing number of commercial variants with the little engine now bored out to 907cc. Production was halted in the early 1930`s when a big fire swept through the engineering works, only to reopen and shortly launch a new model, the Kestrel. A mid-range, 4-door model, the Kestrel utilised the same 907cc engine and was promoted by the company as “the smartest light saloon on the road”. Priced at £175, the car came with 12-volt lighting and starting, electric signalling, a double wiper, safety glass all `round, leather trim and a choice of colours - Black, Black over Green or Blue over Grey. With a claimed to speed of 55MPH, the car was very much marketed on it`s ability to transcend hills with a full load, climbing with ease the route “from Honister to Buttermere” for instance. In production for just 2 years, around 2635 examples were built making them a very rare sight today on Britain`s roads.
Our Kestrel dates from 1935 and originally wore the registration “WO 8319” indicating Monmouthshire as it`s first home. Sadly, we know very little of it`s life until around 20 years ago it fell into the ownership of notable Jowett specialist, Peter Rogers of Huddersfield. We understand that some years prior it had been rebuilt, re-wired and restored with Rogers selling it in July 2007 to a gentleman in North Wales for £6250, taking in Hillman Super Minx Estate as part of the deal. Some six years later, on the death of the owner, the Kestrel was sold by the executors on eBay being purchased for £5500 by an enthusiast in Halstead, Essex. It remained with him for 5 years before being sold again (this time for £6000) to another Jowett enthusiast and Club Member in Dedham. He enjoyed the car immensely but fell ill and unfortunately died in May 2023, the car then becoming registered to his widow. We understand that she retained the Jowett for around 18 months before selling it at auction as a “non-runner from a deceased estate”. In December 2024, it was subsequently acquired by an HR Consultant and businessman from Bishops Lydeard near Taunton who has retained the car to this day, taking time to sympathetically recommission it and take it back to the open road once more. Indeed, he recalls with a smile, two very recent 40-mile trips. Since acquiring the Kestrel, we have undertaken a full on-ramp health check and given it a good coat of polish.
The car presents just as can be seen in the photographs. Evidently an older restoration with a few age-related blemishes, it cleans and polishes up very well with excellent spoked wheels, good chrome and nice detailing. A handsome car from every angle, step inside to find the original Dark Green leather seats reflecting 90 years of fabulous patina, whilst door-cards, carpets and cloth headlining have all evidently been replaced within more recent years. Sadly, the seat back to the rear seats is missing although an equivalent could be found and made to work if required. Having been re-rewired, everything including all the dash dials would seem to function. Prime the carburettor, turn the ignition “on”, pull the choke and push the starter and bingo, the diminutive flat-twin fires up immediately. Select 1st and remembering that this is central throttle, the Kestrel pulls away smartly with 2nd and 3rd coming quickly and smoothly. Once in top gear, the little car cruises along happily in typically 1930`s style. On a rather blustery overcast April day, I took the Jowett for a spin across the West Dorset Downs, doing my utmost to avoid the somewhat impatient holiday traffic. In character, it is not unlike an Austin 7 to drive and offers similarly performance and road manners. It is great fun and motoring at it`s purist.
A very rare and interesting pre-war saloon. So utterly British too.
The Kestrel comes with a small history file including sales receipts and associated paperwork documenting ownership changes from 2007 to the present day, a wiring diagram, comprehensive starting and running instructions, an Autocar Road Test Report, a copy of an original advertisement and a current V5C.
Shore Classics is based on the West Dorset coast within easy proximity of both Weymouth and the County town of Dorchester. As classic and vintage dealers, we offer full brokerage facilities. So if you require some help and guidance with selling your classic car or motorcycle, just give us a call today. We are happy to take a reservation fee to hold a vehicle but as a dealership, we don`t operate a structured distance selling scheme.
