Another Javelin Changes Owner

[Nick Webster]

For those who follow such things, I can report that another Javelin has changed hands, as I have this week aquired KBE 155, E2 PD 14190D. This Javelin has a long history with the club, particularly in the Midland section and appears in several of the registers, although the last owner let his membership lapse a number of years ago. In a previous posting I made a non specific enquiry about 1953 cars with earlier chassis numbers and this is indeed one of the cars that was returned to the factory, upgraded to later spec and then renumbered. The plate under the bonnet says 14190D but the V5C shows it as "ED". There is too much paint on the bonnet crossmember to see what is stamped there and I am loath to scratch it off, but probably temptation will eventually get the better of me.

I have been watching Javelin sales for some time and was anxious not to take on a full rebuild or one needing it, though have been rather bold in the face of "management" - KBE 155 is an abandoned restoration. It was not advertised and was acquired through word of mouth locally. Aparently one of the previous owners had first refusal, but deemed it too much to do in his case. Although completing will take a bit more than just commissioning, the dirty work is done. Although I am sure it will never be concours, I am hoping it will soon emerge as a sound roadworthy car.

[ian Howell]

Nick: -

Welcome aboard Jowett Talk.

You will find here (almost) everything you need to know and loads of encouragement. You may even get offers of 'elbow grease'!

As you may have seen, there are an unusually high number of Javelins undergoing repair or restoration at the moment, so expectations are high for record numbers at future rallies.

It is especially good to see unusual examples coming back to life. I believe the '14' series are very thin on the ground as I think there were only about 250 that got the 'treatment'.

There may be a short delay in getting more posts as many 'regulars' are at the Basingstoke National Rally this weekend. Still, it will be worth the wait.

Keep us all posted on progress / problems.

You are not alone!

[Nick Webster]

Ian, Thank you for your comments. However, I should point out that I have been a club member for many years, though an old tax disc reminds me that I have not had a Jowett on the road since 1987. Never the less, your kind welcome serves to emphasise the friendly and helpful nature of the club - even for lost sheep returning to the fold. I suddenly realised the significance of this weekend when I posted my original note. It is a pity I cannot get down to Basingstoke. My previous Javelin was a standard model and there are certain deluxe interior details I need to study. I suspect that over the years my new acquisition has been subject to many changes so there will be few clues left to indicate that it is physically older than the V5C states and construction anomalies created back at the factory have probably been changed by subsequent enthusiastic owners. We shall probably never know whether the deluxe bumpers are the originals, for example.

[ian Howell]

Nick: -

Ooops! Sorry about that! Actually I did realise my mistake when I looked up your posting history, but too late to save the day.

Like you,I am not going to Basingstoke. I had planned to do so ever since the venue was announced, but a series of family and other matters got in the way of preparing the car (a 1930 Long Four fabric saloon, off the road since at least 1966 and probably since 1960) and I have only today got it to run at all predictably so I wasn't prepared to risk a 200 mile return trip yet.

As consolation I have entered a local cars show which should only involve about 20 miles, enough for a 'trial' and not so far as to be unrecoverable in the event of problems.

I am hoping for dry weather as I have not yet got round to putting the new fabric 'skin' on the body, so the exposed woodwork needs to be kept dry. Driver too!

Of course I will take every opportunity to publicise the club and its' 90th birthday. (See 'Vintage and Pre-war').

I hope the state of the car will arouse more than the usual interest! People seem fascinated by work in progress - perhaps I should keep it that way!

I hope you will enjoy the necessary research as much as the ownership of the car. I had great fun tracing the history of my second Javeln and I have still a long way to go with the Long Four.

As ever, we shall see . . .

[Chris Spencer]

Nick - Great that another Javelin is now in the hands of someone who is determined to return it to the road, has you will be aware through this forum we have a couple of them currently under restoration, should you need any technical advice / help - just ask.

Regards

Chris