Lot Ended
Description
Rock-solid South African import; highly original; believed to
be the earliest Javelin in roadworthy condition; driven 40 miles to the
sale
Famously the
only car maker in Bradford, Jowett specialised in light, low cost cars with bags
of torque and robust build quality ideally suited to the rough and hilly roads
of Yorkshire. But the car that really put them on the map was the Javelin, a
compact family saloon that was so far ahead of its UK rivals that it had more in
common with the best European light cars by the likes of Lancia, Fiat and BMW.
Designed by Gerald Palmer and launched in 1947,
it was powered by a superb 50bhp 1.5-litre flat-four engine featuring an
aluminium block and wet cylinder liners which gave it a maximum speed of 77mph
and a 0-50mph time of 13.4 seconds. Power was fed to the rear wheels via a
four-speed column-change gearbox and gave the Javelin performance that wouldn't
feel out of place in a car 40 years' its junior.
The Javelin went through five variants labelled PA to PE, each having
a standard and ‘DeLuxe’ option. Fast and economical, it achieved considerable
competition success, coming first in class at the 1949 Monte Carlo Rally,
winning the 2-litre touring car class at the Spa 24-hour race that same year,
and winning the 1953 International Tulip Rally outright. Production ended in
1953 by which time around 23,000 had been sold.
Records held by the Jowett Club show that this Javelin left the
factory in July 1948 destined for distributors Puzey & Payne Ltd of
Salisbury, Rhodesia, and was finished in Golden Sand with a red
interior.
Little is known of the car’s subsequent
history but, as with the Jupiter elsewhere in this sale (Lot 58), it was
acquired by our vendor from the Ian Garrs collection in Johannesburg in 2021 and
imported to the UK in December of that year with all duties
paid.
A serial Jowett collector/restorer, our
vendor gave the car a thorough service and check-over and has enjoyed tootling
around in it since, covering around 50 miles with no problems at all. He states
that it appears: “Highly original and rust-free although it looks like it has
had a new headlining at some point. It still has the original fitted car seat
covers, a rare feature as most Javelins have long since lost these items”.
He also points out that the car would have
originally left the factory with just one centre back light on the boot with no
lights on the back wings but, for reasons of safety, he has added a trio of
period rear lights/indicators behind each of the rear bumper overriders. He also
points out that it retains the original early screw-on radiator cap which is
another rare feature.
He also believes that it
may well be the earliest Javelin still in roadworthy condition, although you
will need to do your own research on that score.
Driven some 40 miles to the sale, it has been starting promptly and
running well as we have moved it around on site. As you can see in the photos,
it has a charming patina accrued over the last 77 years and your only dilemma
will be whether to restore it to its former glory or just enjoy it as it is...
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 –
[email protected]