FOR SALE – 1951 JBS Mk 1

1951 JBS Mk 1.     VIF 126.     Chassis Number 51/8. Engine Number NN23640.   This is a unique opportunity to acquire what must arguably be the most original surviving example of an early 50’s 500cc car. JBS cars were built at Bedfont Lane in Feltham, Middlesex by the Father and son team of Charles and Alf Bottoms. The JBS 500’s were highly successful cars in the early 1950's and found great success in the hands of Don Parker, Peter Collins and Alf Bottoms himself. The cars were innovative and very lightweight thanks to their tubular design. Sadly, Alf was killed at the Luxembourg Grand Prix in 1952 and his father lost interest in the business which then faded from the scene. Chassis No. 8 was one of a number of cars that were destined to be shipped to America, however this did not happen, and the car was purchased by Kenneth McAlpine to race alongside his Ex Bira-Maserati. The car was fitted with a Norton engine and Dolls head gearbox from a 1948 30M machine, and optionally fitted with Dunlop magnesium wheels. It is thought that Kenneth only competed with the JBS a handful of times before parting company with the JBS along with the Maserati to concentrate his efforts and finances on the Connaught team, for which his role in motorsport would be best known. Both the JBS and Maserati passed through the hands of Nobby Spiro, who quickly sold the car to Leslie Wood. Once again Leslie sparingly used the car and advertised it for sale in 1953 in Autosport magazine, however the car would not sell and was parked in 1954 and has not raced since. The JBS would change hands again in the late 1970’s to the well-known Aston Martin and Lagonda specialist Ivan Forshaw. Ivan undertook some preservation work including making a new body for the car, but never ran the car or competed with it. Since 2021 this car has been subjected to an extensive and detailed preservation, taking the car back to a bare chassis and carefully assembling with attention to preserving all original details, including hardware and fittings. The car contains a wealth of original and often lost components down to the tanks, fuel fittings, oil lines, brake reservoir etc etc. Upon close inspection the condition of all components is consummate with having only raced a handful of times, showing no signs of wear, damage, or repair. During the restoration of the car the original body panels were entrusted to Duncan Ricketts before being re-united with the car and professionally sign written with a number the car sported in period. The Manx Norton engine and genuine Manx Dolls head gearbox received attention from expert Andy Savage, who commented that the internal condition would align to the little use the car received. The engine is an early round crank case engine, from a pre-featherbed 1949 Manx 30, which would be entirely correct for a 1951 machine. For car racing the car breaths through an original flange Mounted type 27 Track Carb. Both the engine and gearbox are stamped L Wood which and leaves little doubt that these are the original units to the car. The original Dunlop 1950's tyres are with the car as it is now fitted with Dunlop R5 tyres. Previous Owners:    1951/52. Kenneth McAlpine.    1952/52. Nobby Spiro. 1952/76. Leslie Wood. 1977/ 2021. Ivan Forshaw. 2021/Date. George Shackleton/ Lily Wilton. A large history file accompanies the car complete with 500 Vehicle Identity Form and 500 Registration Number. New parts include: • Chassis blasted and repainted. • Original bodywork renovated. • Seat renovated. • Engine recommissioned (New Piston, Valves and Springs.) • Gearbox stripped, cleaned and internals superfinished. • New Larry Swann sand bent exhaust and silencer then chromed at Silvabronz. • Carb serviced with new floats, float mounts, blocks etc. • New whole braking system with original master cylinders and wheel cylinders being stainless steel lined [By Past Parts]. New hoses and Bundy brake pipes. • New wheel bearings and rear carrier bearings. • New Regina chains. • Rebuilt fuel pumps (using NOS AC repair kits) and all new hoses. • All correct BA & Whitworth hardware used throughout. • Brand new bespoke Triton fitted car cover. • New complete spare set of ally bodywork built for Forshaw. • So effectively it has 2 bodies, the original now fitted and a new spare one. • Some other spares. This car is now presented in fully operational condition and is a very original ready to race car with complete history and receipts for the rebuild, it is eligible to race at any historic race meeting including the Goodwood Revival. 500 Owners Association Registration Number 439. 2023 Winner of the 500 Owners Association Peter Kendall Originality Trophy.