Remembering five long gone classic car brands

By Classic Yorkshire correspondent Tony Lofthouse

There was a time when British car makers ruled the world. Names such as Austin, Morris and Hillman could be found across continents. 

Unfortunately, in the later 20^th century new car manufacturers emerged – many from overseas – offering lower production costs and bold new designs and technologies. UK makers just weren’t able to keep up and a number disappeared.

This week I look back at five big names consigned to motoring history but still much loved by classic car lovers.

Jowett

Starting in West Yorkshire, Jowett Cars of Idle village, Bradford were formed in 1901 by two brothers, Benjamin and William Jowett, making light and affordable cars and motorcycles. Like many businesses they answered the call of the war effort making munitions and machinery in both First and Second World Wars.

Post-war, the company developed two great cars, the four-door Javelin and Jupiter convertible, both advanced models for the time. Unfortunately, by the mid-50s the business faced major production and sales issues which brought on their demise.

Today, the old Jowett factory site is home to a large Morrisons supermarket. A mural in the store stands as a lasting testament to the workers who made Jowett such a force.

Hillman

The Midlands-based manufacturer was a major name in the mass car market in the 20^th century, rolling out a number of popular models.

Among them was the rear-engined Imp, the family-sized Avenger and the classic Minx and Hunter models.

Chrysler took over the complete business from Rootes in 1967 and by 1976 the brand ‘Hillman’ would disappear. The Avenger and Hunter were joined by Sunbeam in being rebadged as Chryslers, that was until 1979 when Chrysler sold its European arm to Peugeot. For a short time the Avenger and Sunbeam lived on, badged as ‘Talbot’.

The French company still own the rights to the Hillman brand today.

Jensen

Jensen Motors started out building car bodies for marquees such as Austin, Ford and Chrysler.

It launched its first own brand car in the 1930s and moved into GT cars in the 1950s. The iconic hand-built open-top Intercepter arrived in 1966, designed by Carrozzeria Touring of Italy and built in West Bromwich.

Some restyling followed and the Interceptor made comebacks in the 1980s and 90s under new investors. But, sadly by 2002 the game was up for Jensen and the administrators moved in.

Triumph

Triumph had its origins selling bicycles and motorcycles before producing its first cars in 1923.

The company would become a popular small car manufacturer and became part of British Leyland in 1968. Triumph built a fine reputation with its string of TR badged sports cars before being consumed in the struggles of BL. 

It’s last mass made model was the family-sized Acclaim which debuted in 1981. The Acclaim was manufactured under licence to Honda and came with an Honda-made engine. Despite strong sales the model disappeared in 1984 and with it the name ‘Triumph’ as a British car maker.

Rover

Another former cycle maker, Rover, had perhaps the most tragic past after developing into a  quintessential British car maker. The name ‘Rover’ goes back over a century and by the time of its demise in 2005 it had produced some memorable cars.

Sporting Rover’s famous Viking longship logo, the brand still attracts a legion of discerning buyers.  They included models like the P4, P5, P6, SDI and one of the last cars to roll off the Longbridge plant, the much underrated 75.

Despite collaborations with BMW and Honda, the MG Rover Group, as it became, would sink with BMW retaining the Rover trademark. A year later, the German giants sold the Rover brand to Ford.

I’ve touched on five great car makers, but there are many other extinct British makers that remain important parts of our motoring heritage. Names like Daimler, Austin, Morris, Wolseley and Riley are among other special cars long gone. 

Today, it’s down to classic car buyers and enthusiasts to keep these brands alive.