1929 Black Prince

[DavidMetcalfe]

My Father (Kevin Metcalfe of Bradford) Bought this UA9158 1929 Black Prince in 1971 where it had been from the start of the WW2, Sat in a back garden Somewhere between Southport and Liverpool.The car was restored back to forma glory in 1977 the car never had the engine stripped,Just cleaned and in 1978 drove 600+ miles to a rally at Doune motor museum in scotland.

[DavidMetcalfe]

I spent all my childhood with this car going to rallys all over the country,She only let us down once in all the years when the dynamo drive sheered. In the late 80s or early 90s it was sold on the Peter Rodgers.He then sold it to Bradford Industrial Museum where it is today!! a shame as it never gets used!!

[ian Howell]

David (et al): -

This car appears to be almost identical to my 1930 Long Four, except that it has an external-access boot, the sidelights are mounted on the scuttle, and the headlights on mine are mounted on the stay between the front wings. The standard fabric bodied versions seem to be extremely rare, Grey Knights etc. are more (well a bit) more numerous.

I notice particularly that the wheels are artillery type and my undersatnding is that Black Princes wore wire wheels.

I am very interested in any 1930 models as they were the 'Last of the Summer Wine' since the vintage period officially ended on Dec 31st 1930.

Does anyone know the chassis or engine number for this car?

[george garside]

the 29 Black prince raod tested by The Autocar on its introduction, mid season, in June'29 had wire wheels ( and the external rear locker access. For 1930 the de lux long saloons (black prince, grey knight and silverdale) had wire wheels whilst the standard model had artilery wheels. Neither had the external opening locke

The ex Kevin metcalf Black Prince therefore presumable originallhy had wire wheels and the artileries were may have been fitted later, unless of course the first owner specified them for some reason. Its engine/chassis number is 926262 reg 1 Aug '29 i.e. just a few weeks before the 1930 models were announced.

george

[kevinmetcalfe]

When I bought the Jowett in 1971, all these model names were almost unknown to us (at that time) younger members and I was told it was a Black Prince and that is what it has always been refered to all its later life, but years later on seeing all the sales brochures, it is basically a STANDARD SALOON, the Black Prince having Black Fabric and 2 stainless steel strips down the sides with a different coloured fabric (green) between them and as already mentioned, wire wheels. The car was a two owner vehicle and had been left in a garden at the start of world war 2 and was not exhumed until 1970 by Bill Hook of Ingleton who had the scrap Yard on the left side of the village next to the 3 Peaks Cafe. The original Artilary Wheels were half rotted away, which were replaced and the only thing missing was the passenger seat squab and it had been used for kneeling on to garden in the later years by the widow. It is a genuine 1929 model, the first year for centre gearchange and 4 wheel brakes and the last year of the non detachable headed engine but fitted with the better stronger crankshaft which featured from then on in the later cars. In all my years with Jowetts, I have never seen another exactly the same, VO ex John Box, is near to it,
but not exact and there is a 1929 Short Chassis 2 door Fabric in Caister Castle Museum Norfolk, very much in the style of. Roger Barrett was able to prize it from Bill Hook, and while it was in storage at his place of work, Richard Street Garage, drying out from its long standing in all weather, I was able to purchase it from Roger before work on it started. After restoration, the car served well for many years rallying, before selling it to Peter Rogers, and is now , as every one knows, in the Industrial Museum. Regards Kevin Metcalfe.

[Tony Fearn]

I seem to remember that a photograph of this very car, with a 'gendarme' stood near to a road junction, pointing the way, appeared in a Jowetteer magazine many years ago.

Perhaps Mr. Garside (see January's Jowetteer) might like to comment.

How's about it George?

Tony.

P.S. Welcome to the forum Kevin. The pre-war section needs your expertise.

[DavidMetcalfe]

The car at Doune motor museum, Mum and Dad in the 80s(love the clothes) look at the size of my dad don't know how he drove it!!