1951 Jowett Jupiter

Jowett Jupiter (Sports), 1950-1954

The Jowett Jupiter was in production from 1950-54. Styled in house, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive sports car seating up to three people.

Initially the Jupiter was planned as a means of trying to increase Jowett's steel allocation post war. Its chassis was designed in conjunction with ERA, by Eberan von Eberhorst, a noted Austrian who had created chassis for Auto Union grand prix cars in the past. Mechanically it owed much to the Javelin, sharing its gearbox and its 1.5 litre flat four engine - early cars were sold as the Jowett Javelin Jupiter but lost the name by 1951. Two racing derivatives were built - the R1 and the GRP-bodied R4.Three of each were built - one R1 and two R4s survive today.

A simple body was designed for the export market to be built in house; made of aluminium to preserve the steel supplies for its chassis and the Javelin model. But here Jowett encountered issues - the chassis wasn't stiff enough for the lightweight open shell, and further strengthening was required. Jowett hoped that coachbuilders could supply bodies for UK cars, but the prices quoted made them unviable for a car of its size and Jowett was forced to fit the export body to all cars. Among strengthening features on all but the last 94 cars was a lack of provision for an external bootlid; luggage space being accessed from behind the seats.

Jowett closed its doors in 1954, the Jupiter being its last model. While it was not replaced, many of its buyers decamped to Triumph and MG. These marques are arguably the best from which to suggest rivals now, cars such as the Triumph TR2 and MGA make excellent alternatives. But if you want to think a little left field and find another three-seater roadster developed from a sporting saloon, surely the Riley RMC is the most natural alternative for those who don't want a Jowett?