1959 JABRO MARK 1

Although it won't be often, I will be including Sports and even top of the line F circuit and Indy cars here at this site as part of my antique motoring series, especially if the vehicle appeals to me personally.

One of the great things about sports car racing, and this was especially true in the days before about 1970, that it was reasonably affordable and anyone who liked to tinker with cars could build themselves a car to go racing in. And then make copies of it and sell them to interested parties.

One such example is the Jabro. Designed by James Broadwell and Ed Alsbury in 1957 this little car was quite competitive and still races well at retro meets and gatherings where many of the original cars can still be found on the track.

The engine was typically a Crosley inline 4 unit with a 2.54 inch bore, 2.36 stroke. Output was in the neighborhood of 65 horsepower. The engine was usually fitted with Dell Orto-25 semi-downdraft carburetors. The chassis was constructed of multi-tube birdcage spaceframe while the body was of aluminum and fiberglass construction.

The cars were simple with only essential items. The instrument was also only essentials, with an oil temperature, oil pressure, and tachometer gauge. And she looks like a blast to drive!