Year and place: 1994-99, Arvika
In early 1994 some plans rose curiosity - a new swedish sports car factory! Jösse Car AB.
Another one of all those impossible dreams, that so many have had - and some tried to fulfill?
The first prototype was presented in october 1994, and in early 1995 the first prototype that could be driven. Two more prototypes were finished.
In production
On 1 March 1996 production started. Since much work was put into making effective production methods, only 3 cars were finished during the year.
"Built by enthusiasts - for enthusiasts". A comfortable car with more focus on 'sports' than 'luxury'. A bit of old fashioned sports car using modern techniques, with good quality for a reasonable cost for the owners.
With this in mind, it was important to reduce the production costs. Also, the basic idea was not to mass produce cars - but to develop technical solutions for vehicles, in hope to get production orders from other companies and sell licences for the right to produce JC solutions.
The JC Indigo was one way of displaying the companys skills. A nice way, I think. And so does others. In september 1996 JC Indigo 3000 was awarded "Utmärkt Svensk Form" ('Excellent Swedish Design').
The car
The 4,3 metre long and 1,8 wide plastic body is mounted on a steel tube frame.
Many parts comes from Volvo, like the engine and the gearbox. The car has a top speed of 220 km/h (around 250 with hard-top). It takes 6,5 seconds to reach 100 km/h.
Plans for the future
The plan for 1997 was to produce 100 cars. Most of these were sold already during the first three months of the year. Plans for the continued production were 250 in 1998 and 500 in 1999. Not larger than that.
JC 850 MPC (Multi Purpose Truck) is a prototype developed in 1995. The base was a Volvo 850, and the idea to construct a light truck chassis that could be fitted with various bodies and functions. The prototype is a 3-axle car transporter, with adjustable suspension for the rear bogie and an articulated frame that made loading possible without using loading ramps.
In january 1996 Jösse Car AB made a concept for a Volvo 850 delivery van, for Volvo. They also constructed a new gearbox for Volvo Trucks.
But - in the spring of 1999 production ceased. I'm not sure why.
These photos show JC Indigo 3000, number 32 (of around 40) built in 1998. It has a Volvo 960 straight 6-cylinder engine.
Another one, with the soft-top up: An Indigo family meet, at the car meet in Rosersberg (near Stockholm) summer 2001:
Links:
2003-09-26. www.konditori100.se. Text/pictures: Arne Granfoss ©. Prod: AG Informice
This race car has chassis number 004 - built on the 1996 fourth and last prototype.
Jösse Car AB
Jösse Car AB, web pages still there spring 2000.