As the twenties began to roar, American automakers seemed to feel that the good times would never end, leading to a period of rapid expansion and new offerings. Harry Jewett, president of Paige-Detroit, ushered in a new “popular price” model, built by a wholly owned Paige-Detroit subsidiary and named, of course, after himself. A six-cylinder car intended to compete against similar entry-level offerings introduced by Nash and Studebaker, it was a handsome, peppy automobile. Jewett bragged that “in beauty, in comfort, and in performance, we feel that the new car will be a real and pleasant surprise.” Alas, the Jewett proved financially incapable of surviving the decade. After some 100,000 had been built, the car became simply another Paige model in 1927. Nonetheless the well-engineered, hardy automobiles were well-remembered by those who owned them and today maintain a fierce fan base.

One such happy Jewett owner was Clive Cussler, who acquired a Jewett at the age of 13, his first automobile in the dawn of a long life spent appreciating and collecting special and unusual cars. Mr. Cussler never forgot that Jewett, and when he and his wife, Janet, began collecting automobiles together after their marriage, it was natural that a Jewett would be one of them. Acquired in 2019 from years of display in Gab and Evonna Joiner’s J&R Vintage Auto Museum of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, this Model 18-22 Special Touring has been a much-loved part of the collection since.

Restored some years ago, the Jewett shows some age and use throughout, and it should be noted that the engine has bad bearings and will likely require further mechanical sorting. Nonetheless, it is still extremely attractive in very charming and appealing colors, with a welcome jaunty appearance so indicative of the optimistic twenties—and of the rakish, bold Jewett automobile.