This film is from a collection made by Jowett Car Club member Keith Wear, with Colin and Ian Egglestone. The film provides a brief history of the Jowett Company, and chronicles the Club's annual Rally held at Saltaire showing many fine vintage cars on display 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,...

This film is from a collection made by Jowett Car Club member Keith Wear, with Colin and Ian Egglestone. The film provides a brief history of the Jowett Company, and chronicles the Club's annual Rally held at Saltaire showing many fine vintage cars on display 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 Diamond Jubilee Rally, 1983 in the cars manufacturing city- Bradford, Yorkshire. The film opens showing a cover of the programme for the Jowett Car Club Diamond Jubilee National Rally on 12th-30th May 1983. The commentary runs through the history of the company, from its beginnings in Bradford on to its move to Idle just outside Bradford. The factory is shown from the air and in some early photos. This is followed by a man getting into a Jowett Javelin at the Idle factory and driving it away for the Rally. He turns into Highfield Avenue and through the village of Idle, passing the Idle Working Men's Club and the Holy Trinity Parish Church. The film then shows a variety of models of Jowett cars making their way to the Rally at Solitaire, from as far away as Switzerland and Holland. These include pre-wars, Bradfords, Javelins and Jupiters. The film then gives an overview of Saltaire, showing cars arriving on a rainy day at the large factory. The cars park lined up in the grounds of the factory. The organisers are on hand to direct the cars to be parked up according to model of car. As the driver arrives he is stopped and questioned about the car by two policemen who ask him why there is no seatbelt, with one of the policemen smiling at the mock interrogation. He finally backs his car into place alongside a long row of Javelins, some of which are shown in close up. Then the Jupiters arrive and again park up alongside each other in pristine condition, and some are filmed with their bonnets open. The commentary explains that they won the Le Mans in 1950 and 1951 and came third at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1951. An old bright yellow Jowett Bradford van has 'Telegraph and Argus' written on the side, and there is a reporter from the paper who interviews an elderly lady. She is a member of the Jowett family who recounts aspects of her family's history. At the Saltaire United Reformed Church more, and older, models of Jowett cars have congregated, including a line of Bradfords, some of them being polished by their owners. One of the Bradfords is an ice cream van. At the front of the United Reformed Church a junior brass band having the initials HJB plays. Among the cars on view are a 1920s Jowett Sports and a long tourer. Two young girls accompanied by a woman get out of a Flying Fox, all in Edwardian dress. Jowett car owners stand around having discussions, and a reporter from the Telegraph and Argus interviews a group of them, including Gordon Brooks, chairman of the Rally Committee, who is asked what the oldest car at the Rally is. This pre-First World War car is then shown, also with its bonnet open. A man and a woman in period dress are handing out flyers. The Lord Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Norman and Mrs Free, arrive and walk around the cars chatting with Club members. One of the judges makes notes on one of the cars in his notebook. A wide variety of makes are shown, some close up. The Club Chairman, Drummond Black, who has been escorting the Mayor, now announces the winners with the Lord Mayor presenting the prizes to a watching crowd. The cars then make their way home. End credits: 'Filmed by Colin and Ian Egglestone' 'Assisted by Darren Smith' 'Hammond sauce Works Junior Band' 'Produced by Keith Wear'