I’m not sure what constitutes a long history for a car club – 50 years, maybe 70? But you can be sure that no club in the world has the history of the Jowett Car Club which has just hit its centenary. That makes it the oldest one-make car club in the world.
The magazine, Light Car & Cycle Car, dated 31st August 1923 carried a report on the founding of The Southern Jowett Light Car Club. This had taken place during a “Successful Inaugural Rally of London Owners” at Titsey Hill in Surrey on 27th August.
This was not the very first, or only, Jowett car club. On 12th May 1922 a notice appeared in the Bradford Telegraph & Argus of a run the following day of Jowett cars from Manningham Park to Boroughbridge where a club would be set up and more Jowett clubs were subsequently set up elsewhere.
During World War 2 most car clubs were wound up for the duration; not so the Southern Jowett club. Membership was maintained throughout and on through the ‘fifties. In 1964, in recognition that membership was now worldwide, the name was changed to the Jowett Car Club.
On Sunday the NY500 will be hosting the Jowett car club as part of the celebrations.
National events celebrating the Centenary.
March 24th – 26th NEC Restoration Show
The club will be attendance with a very special & highly active working stand display
May 26th – 29th Jowett Car Club International Rally
The club returns to West Yorkshire the birthplace of Jowett Cars for their Centenary Rally.
August 12th – 13th Jowett Car Club Reunion
Held at the Bradford Industrial Museum – home of the largest public museum owned Jowett car collection.
August 26th Titsey 100
A re-enactment of the first ever club meeting exactly 100 years to the day that the club was formed when a fleet of vintage Jowetts climbed the steep incline of Titsey Hill in Surrey – It promises to be a unique event.
September 8th – 10th Goodwood Revival
Club attendance at one of the world’s most prestigious historic race events.
November 10th – 12th NEC Classic Car Show
Another very special stand display at this ever-popular season finale.
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