Jabro Chassis

H Modified

Introduction

The Jabro was designed by James Broadwell and Ed Alsbury. According to a magazine from the time period:

"Back in 1957, James Broadwell built a small sports car, called it the Jabro Mk I. It was an immediate success with enthusiasts all over the country getting plans, information and parts kits to build others like it. Since then, there's been the Mark II and now the Mark III -- a lighter and smaller version. The aluminum and fiberglass three-piece body shell sheathes a real road racing hot rod, uses a highly-modified Crosley engine with 65 bhp output."

The "Husky little Crosley powerplant is surrounded by aluminum firewall and portions of multi-tube 'birdcage' space frame. The engine has a 2.54-inch bore, 2.36-inch stroke, uses four Dell 'Orto-25 semi-downdraft carburetors, one Harman cam (overhead) and vertical, in-line valves. Instruments are tachometer, oil temp and pressure, keeping theme of car's simplicity."

These cars were raced in the H Modified class.

Thanks to Rich Campbell for the information above and the images to the right on this page.

Click to go to the
H Mod Yahoo group

1959 Mk I

Mk I

1959 Mk II

Mk II

Mk III

Full ad

Article

"No history of Midwestern Crosleys would be complete without mentioning Jim Broadwell, whose St. Louis-built Jabro cars were seen at many events. They used a true space frame, with a very Allard-like swinging front suspension and came with a pleasant fiberglass body. You could use a variety of engines, but Jim’s car ran a 65 hp Crosley as did several of his customers. The Mark I had a simple tubular chassis and evolved to a "birdcage" frame in the Mark III. Over the years, Jabro remained true to sophisticated chassis and simple suspension."¹

"Elkhart Lake 1989
- Charles Hayes'
Saab-powered Jabro.
photo by Art Eastman"¹

Thompson Raceway

"Circa 1962, Jim Broadwell of St.Louis built Jabros - the Mk.III body was made in 3 sections and sold for $360.

The white #87 is the Zink Petite Mk. II, built by Ed Zink. It used a Jabro Mk III body."²

Two photos above take at Thompson Raceway²