A rare two owner Jowett Bradford in flexible pickup configuration
Reported to start and run well with clutch and gears all in good working order
Complete with a large oak whisky barrel making ideal for promotion or shows
This vehicle is a good introduction to classic vehicle ownership
The Appeal
The Jowett Bradford was the first Jowett model introduced after the Second World War and introduced in 1947. Development during the war had been minimal and hence the Bradford was heavily based on the pre-war Jowett Eight. As such the Bradford wasn’t a sophisticated offering but it was cheap, simple and economical and, hence, just what an austere post-war Britain needed and wanted.
This fascinating example is a rare classic commercial in popular pickup configuration and with the added bonus of including a mounted, large oak whisky barrel. This can be easily removed if preferred but, in any event, this is likely to be head turning classic light lorry ready to use and enjoy.
The History and Paperwork
This Jowett Bradford left the Idle factory in early 1951
The first owner was a gentleman in Falkirk, Scotland
This owner retained the Jowett right up until 1988, a full 37 years
The second and current owner acquired the Bradford in 1988
At this time the light lorry is thought to have covered around 79,000 miles
The Jowett was thought to have been repainted in its current ownership
Since then, less than 1,000 miles have been covered
The Jowett is now only for sale due to the sad passing of the owner
The paperwork includes the current V5 registration document
The Jowett qualifies for Historic Vehicle status
As such it would be VED and MOT exempt in the UK
A couple of earlier MOTs in hard copy are present
An original, period Jowett instruction book is included
A photocopied facsimile of this is also on hand to preserve the original
The Interior
The interior of the Jowett is a simple and utilitarian affair
A pair of compact steel framed seats are fitted
These are finished in a hard wearing black textured vinyl
The seat backs are arranged into vertical box pleats
The squabs consist of padded cushion inserts, these appear to be quite old
Most of the cab’s interior is painted black
This includes the wooden floors and door cards
The dashboard consists of a black painted steel panel
There is a cut out on the passenger side creating a storage cubby
A centrally mounted elliptical panel is home to a collection of instruments
These are a mix of Smiths and AC, white on black gauges
There is a speedometer, petrol gauge, oil pressure gauge and ammeter
A big Bakelite three spoke steering wheel is fitted
Some further controls and switches are mounted on the steering column
A fly off handbrake and three speed gear lever are floor mounted
The Exterior
This Jowett Bradford is understood to have started life in a green livery
In the current ownership it was repainted in its current blue
The condition of the paintwork appears to be good considering the Jowett’s age
The cab’s body panels are finished in bright blue
The front wings and radiator cowl are finished in black
The bodywork appears to be nicely preserved with no obvious issues noted
The rear load platform is finished in wood currently
This is arranged into horizontally orientated planks
A large, oak whisky barrel mounted to the rear load platform
This could be removed if required or embraced as a quirky and unique feature
The steel wheels are painted white and centred with black painted hub caps
These are fitted with a set of Avon radial type tyres
These appear to be quite old with some cracking of the sidewalls in evidence
The light lenses and cabin glass appears to be in a good overall condition
At some point an aperture in the roof panel seems to have been filled
A steel panel has been riveted in place and over painted
The Mechanics
The Jowett Bradford is fitted with a 1,005cc side valve flat twin petrol engine
This came in three states of tune across the Bradford’s history
This is believed to be the “CC” variant which originally produced 25bhp
43Ib-ft of torque was produced at 2,000rpm
Power is fed to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual gearbox
By 1951 this was a full synchromesh item
A contemporary road test managed a top speed of 53mph
A highly creditable 34.5mpg was also recorded
A new battery has recently been fitted to the Jowett
It is reported to start promptly and run well
The clutch and gears are reported to be in good order too
An electrical check is recommended as the battery light remains on whilst running
Both the underside and engine bay of the light lo are in good order for its age
Summary
The market for classic commercial vehicles remains a popular and buoyant part of the wider scene. The Jowett Bradford fits the brief perfectly, too. Despite their earlier ubiquity they are now very much rarer with many people probably never having seen a Jowett. Being, essentially, a pre-war design the Jowett Bradford serves up a healthy slice of nostalgia and charm making it a welcome participant in any classic events or shows.
This example is already rare. What makes it more remarkable still is its two-owner history. Given this it is likely that the indicated mileage is original too. Then, of course, there is the oversized oak whisky barrel mounted on the back. This offers great potential as an eye-catching advertising opportunity or just a fun feature that will certainly get you noticed and remembered. Surely a unique and attainable combination that’s too good to miss.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
