Jowett built the Bradford van as a private car in disguise, calling it a four-light van purely to dodge Britain's steep car purchase tax.
Lead trim: Bradford 1005 cc flat-twin (19 bhp, 1946–1949) · up to 25 hp
Jowett Bradford1946–1953
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FactJowett built the Bradford van as a private car in disguise, calling it a four-light van purely to dodge Britain's steep car purchase tax.
The Jowett Bradford was a British light van produced from 1946 to 1953 by Jowett Cars Ltd of Idle (38,241 made), also available as an estate car (the Utility) from 1947; based on the pre-war Jowett Eight it was the first Jowett re-introduced after the Second World War and, though very basic, appealed to the post-war market on economy and availability. It had half-elliptic leaf springs with beam axles and a front-mounted side-valve flat-twin 1005 cc engine producing 19 bhp, driving the rear wheels through a three-speed non-synchromesh gearbox; in 1950 the engine was updated to 25 bhp with synchromesh on the top ratio, improving top speed to 53 mph, and the 10 in drum brakes were mechanical (Girling). Initially only a 10 cwt van was made, joined in 1947 by the Utility estate (Utility and Utility De Luxe by 1951, also as a "4-light van" to avoid the high purchase tax on private cars), plus a light lorry and drive-away and cab-chassis versions for coachbuilders. A 1952 Motor test of a Utility de luxe recorded 53.4 mph and 0-50 mph in 47.6 seconds. Wheelbase 2,286 mm (90 in), length 3,658 mm (144 in), width 1,524 mm (60 in), height 1,753 mm (69 in).
Collectors Spotted in the Jowett Bradford Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Jowett Bradford yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
2 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford 1005 cc flat-twin (19 bhp, 1946–1949) | 1946–1949 | 1.0 L Flat-2 | 19 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| Bradford 1005 cc flat-twin (25 bhp, 1950–1953) | 1950–1953 | 1.0 L Flat-2 | 25 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
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Owners’ builds
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Photographs
Rivals
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