A film from the Jowett Car Club collection that chronicles the club's annual rally of Jowett Automobiles including famous models such as 'Jupiter' and 'Spirit'. The cars were first built in 1906 by a small engineering firm based in Bradford owned by brothers William and Benjamin Jowett. In 1954 production stopped, but these classic cars have not disappeared as they have been entered in both national and international car rallies such as this club rally taking place in...

A film from the Jowett Car Club collection that chronicles the club's annual rally of Jowett Automobiles including famous models such as 'Jupiter' and 'Spirit'. The cars were first built in 1906 by a small engineering firm based in Bradford owned by brothers William and Benjamin Jowett. In 1954 production stopped, but these classic cars have not disappeared as they have been entered in both national and international car rallies such as this club rally taking place in Cheltenham. The first shots are of the front bumpers of Jowett cars. A park is full of people wandering around among numerous cars; large, white buildings are visible on the outskirts of the park. There are rows and rows of old-style and classic cars all lined up. Some women but mostly men and boys look under the bonnets, check around inside the cars and have their cars inspected by judges who walk around with clip boards. One man lifts up the side flap to an engine in a 1920s or 1930s-style car while another man sits into an old sports car. There are lots of shots of car owners working on old, exposed car engines, showing people the mechanics of their cars and opening up the vehicles so that the camera can film the insides. Many of the owners are deep in conversation with other car enthusiasts. In one shot it is possible to see that the exhibition is being held on grass tennis courts; the nets are visible in the background. Some women are taking advantage of the good weather and sitting out beside their car. A group of men spend some time carefully examining the wheels of one car and then sitting in it, while another man gets into the driving seat of a sports car. A gang of young men in shirts and ties and some women stand outside in the sun, posing for the camera. The women have books in the hands and occasionally read form them; the men chat to each other. On the ground is an exact miniature replica of one of the classic cars; a man and woman who are kneeling beside it pretend to bow down before it. There are shots of convertibles and shots of different parts of the cars. Families are sitting out on blankets on the grass enjoying the sun, women are standing beside cars chatting to other women. In the next scene some spectators have lined part of a road to watch as some of the cars are driven along it. Then there are agility tests and the drivers have to drive the cars between traffic cones, drives along routes laid out and do tight turns. Judges sit on the side-lines watching.