1924 Short Two newbie is still lost a bit...

[Cyclecars]

Thanks in advance for any input on this subject. I am a new owner of KU-5172 1924 Short Two. I am trying to understand a few things that are not obvious to me. The dash panel has a Lucas setup with amp meter, an accessory plug, and three pull switches marked "H", "D", and "S". There is a retro-fitted Ignition/kill switch not part of the original Lucas setup. Can someone tell me what the three letters refer to? "Headlight"? "Dynamo/charge", "S"?
Second question is if there is a registry matching serial numbers to model year?
Third question is regarding the carburetter cover and strangler. This model seems not to have a strangler. I assume that this is normal? I have other cars without, but I was a little surprised there was no linkage nor any evidence of there being a choke/strangle.
This car runs 12 volt. Is this a first year of 12 volt (with coil) or was it modified from 6 volt in its earlier life?

I see little detailed manuals in the literature section that help address these questions. It could be because I am just not finding them.

Thanks a bunch for any information.
- Keith Moore

[ChrisE]

Hi Keith, Welcome!

I’ve a 1929 long 4 that dad first got in 1973 or 1974. I guess in many ways it will be similar to yours.

We do have a choke although we never use it. I always try and hand crank the engine rather than the electric start as it’s just better and one day the starter will give up so I need the practice! To start I flood the carb by pilling up the float then start with a tiny cardboard packer in the idle screw to keep the tickover revs up. Once warm, say 2 mins, the cardboard is out and off we go.

I thought all early models were 6 volt? Ours is. Maybe yours was changes at some time to the more conventional 12 v? It will certainly make getting bulbs, batteries and the like easier! It is though nice to keep everything faithfully original, I get that.

Presuming you are in the club, it is highly likely that previous ownership will be recorded and maybe some of the serial numbers. We’re lucky all ours match up.

Best wishes, Chris

[ChrisE]

Hi Keith again

This is the one that is in ours.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334831429080 as original.

S = side lights
H = headlights
D = ?? that’s when the ignition is on

Chris

[ChrisE]

Hi Keith, Welcome!

Is this the car?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipCrriLs3l8

https://www.prewarcar.com/407440-1924-j ... -sept-2022

https://www.brightwells.com/timed-sale/5338/lot/587211

Looks like lots of fun!

C

[Cyclecars]

Yes. That is the car.

It starts and runs. I mostly want to know if it is normal to have to let it start and run to warm up for a while without a choke. I cleaned the carb and It starts well but needs a lot of pedal support. To be honest, I haven't let it warm up for more than a few minutes yet. Not having a choke is a bit odd, but I do not have an owners manual so I do not know if that was normal. My Amilcar is similarly un-strangled. As a matter of fact, only one of my cars has a choke on it, So I suppose it is no big surprise.
I obviously I will drive it soon some before winter comes. As you see, I purchased it almost exactly a year ago, but I just received the car(s) a few weeks ago.

[Cyclecars]

I pulled out the switches and I think it was "H" Headlight. "S" other lights? Dash light? , D is the dynamo. This is likely because it was hooked to the nonfunctioning amp meter and solenoid. I just wonder why the starter ignition/kill is a switch under the dash and not on ethe switch console. The toggle switch just under the dash wood bottom is not possibly original.

[ChrisE]

Keith, good afternoon. I'm pretty sure that your switch setup is not the original one, nor some of the other stuff on your dash. The best thing is to go to a Jowett Rally and have a good look around other people's cars, with a camera, and collate a whole load of stuff!

[Cyclecars]

Hi Chris,

Thanks so much! I am pretty sure you are correct. I do not mind too much if it is not original, but I would like to know what original would be. I live in the United States, so this is the only one I have for reference. I'd like to know the original configuration (picture or whatever) form a 1924 Short. Also, I want to know if this was a 12 volt car originally. It seems that this was converted to 12 volt and the Lucas switch setup was jiggered. I would like to know either way and will proceed accordingly. I LOVE this car! So I'll work it out either way.
- Keith

[Cyclecars]

Also note that the oil gauge (plug style on the right side) is correct and in the correct position. It just also/instead has a replacement formal oil gauge on the dash (with the original tube bypassed. Again, I do not mind, but wondered why there was a replacement gauge if they left the original there, too. So I assume that this was done by prior owner. So if I could know for sure that there was only the normal right side oil gauge (not a dash guage), that would be helpful too.
- Keith

[Cyclecars]

Back to electrics. It seems from skimming the posts here that the 1924 Short Two would be 12 volt. If this is correct, it makes my work a bit easier for cleaning up the dash. Can this be confirmed? If anyone could please send me an image of a Jowett Short Two dash with proper gauges, I would appreciate it so that I can start looking for proper replacements for the ones in mine.

I am in the United States and do not have access to any in-person examples otherwise I would not both everyone here. This lovely car needs to be fixed-up only a little bit in order to make it right.

Thanks, all.

[k. rogers]

Congratulations on ownership of a lovely example of this very pretty car, unique in America, I'm sure! Firstly, as far as I'm aware, all Jowetts were 6 volt until about 1933/4, so yours has been converted to 12 volt, possibly during its restoration, which is not a bad thing as it makes it more usable. Also, your car would not have been fitted with an oil pressure gauge originally, just a button on the dash which popped out indicating there was 'sufficient" pressure. Fitting of a proper guage is obviously beneficial. Is yours a period type guage?

[Cyclecars]

Thank you for the response.
This helps me quite a bit. The oil gauge is period correct and works and looks fine place at about 11 o'clock in front of the steering wheel.(see image) It is actually much more useful than the original. I do like old oil mechanical pressure meters, though. I fixed the little oil pressure "eye" on my Humber and it is an interesting talking point when I show the car to folks. Aside from managing leaks and "yet another place to have trouble", sometimes I am a glutton for punishment and like to restore/retro fix these things back in. So this information was very helpful. For now, I will get to know the car using the dash gauge before I go in and mangle something.

The Lucas switch setup is surely not original, then(image shown). It is the triangle shape, not the round type. I also have a broken ammeter on the one that is installed. I also think that the charging solenoid is bad -- actually I know it is. I found a matching switch cluster, but it turns out it is 6 volt. So it's not going to work unless I do something very creative to it. I am on the lookout for a replacement for the switch cluster or just the ammeter which is the center zero type (not the zero on the left type). Anyway, part of the fun of these cars is this sort of hunt for the parts since here in The States there are no spares at all.

Bottom line is that I need to find a working ammeter (12 V) and dynamo switch that will fit into the Lucas switch box, or find a 12 volt Lucas switch box like the one shown. Or... rebuild the dash (not).

[k. rogers]

You will eventually find the necessary parts, I'm sure. In the meantime, enjoy that little car and fly the Jowett flag!

[Cyclecars]

Thanks! I will. I still would like an image of a proper Short Two dash. I do not have the luxury of seeing one in person. Most sources do not show the dash itself. Eventually, I will see one. I think it has the round Lucas setup form what Chris said above. Thanks to you all!

Anyway. I am definitely enjoying the ride!
- Keith

[PJGD]

As a matter of interest, what body does your Trojan have; is it a van or an open 4-seater. I assume it is a van since it is a utility. I have a couple of friends who run Trojans regularly. I have driven them on occasion.