Need photos of Jowett Bluemel Wheel

Srenner · Post by **Srenner** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 5:24 pm

Does anyone have a good photo of the wheels made by Bluemel that were "marblized" or multi-colored in a random pattern? Also, what was the original color of the hub on Jupiter wheels?

Any help would be appreciated. I have viewed on the web some wheels made in Australia, but they tend to look very "candied" or "metallic", rather than a sort of chocolate marble look.

Such a wheel was on E1SAL62 and I have a photo that incorporates the wheel in the background, so it is rather blurry.

I wiill have the first article of reproduction wheels by the end of April.

Srenner · Post by **Srenner** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 5:25 am

Thanks for the info. Might you have any pictures of the marble wheel?

The wheels we are having made will be a urethane-based plastic cast on the rim. Lots of handwork to finish them and any colors can be selected. Mold is from an original wheel.

Andrew Henshall · Post by **Andrew Henshall** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 2:41 am

At the 2006 JCCA National Rally over Easter I was only able to get photos of original Wilmot Breeden wheels in totally perfect condition as fitted to Javelins. None of the Jupiters had wheels in good original condition, as they had either been restored or replaced. Why do you want Bluemel wheels for your Jupiters, and not Wilmot Breeden wheels? Were any Jupiters even fitted with Bluemel wheels? Andrew Henshall

Srenner · Post by **Srenner** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:43 pm

Hello Andrew:

Perhaps my information on wheels is incomplete. I was informed by a noted Jupiter enthusiast that Bluemel made the wheels found on the Jupiter, hence my plea for photos.

I would be very pleased to see the photos taken over your visit. The end goal is to have a nice reproduction of a marble wheel.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Scott

Srenner · Post by **Srenner** » Sat May 06, 2006 5:49 am

The pictures are much appreciated.

I will see about posting the ones I have after I get them scanned. They are from 1983 and the wheel just happens to be in the picture. It is car 62, an early car and has what I now recognize as a Javelin wheel fitted (when I first saw it as a youngster I thought it was terrible, especially compared to the wheel on 140), although my research indicates this is not unusual for an early car. It came with this wheel when purchased in 1969.

In addition, it is a " woodruff key" wheel, not a spline as found on my 140 and 758 wheels. Also, it has wildly varied colors in it, as opposed to the rather mono-chromatic of the tan-on-lighter tan of the 140 car (now long decayed into dust).

In an enlargement of the b&w photo of the cockpit of the 1950 Le Mans car taken by the factory, one can just make out the "marblization" pattern in the wheel, but it appears to have very subtle variations in the color. (hard to tell given the b&w of the photo.)

Again, I am curious if anyone knows what the COLOR of the hubs were ex-factory. Perhaps it was different for different wheel colors?

I see that this post has had many viewers, but so few responses. Please, offer an opinion!

Post by **Forumadmin** » Mon May 08, 2006 4:37 pm

Does this help?

As fitted to Jen's Javelin

Srenner · Post by **Srenner** » Tue May 09, 2006 5:10 pm

Spectacular...er, I mean BRILLIANT!

Between Mr. Henshall's photos, these and the ones I have, I think we can move forward!

First wheel has been cast and I will be inspecting it on May 10. Hope to see final product by end of the month and will post pics here.

Thanks!

Keith Clements · Post by **Keith Clements** » Mon May 15, 2006 10:17 pm

It is highly likely that this wheel was not originally fitted; as Ben Shaw, the previous owner, did many mods to the car.

Srenner · Post by **Srenner** » Tue May 16, 2006 9:08 pm

Well, just when I thought I might be on my way!

I note that the two pictures posted above show a marked difference in colors, perhaps due to the flash of the camera in the close up.

I agree this wheel looks dark, and it is darker than the one I have in a photo, but the swirl of the marble looks right. Perhaps the color has deepened over the years in the way the "white" dash knobs are now "ivory" on most cars?

Pat, if I new what "NPO" stood for, I would look it up myself!

STILL NOT TOO LATE TO TELL ME WHAT IS THOUGHT TO BE "CORRECT"!

Although, the first marble wheel will be done soon. We have two different artists looking at how to achieve the desired look.

Expect the first samples by month's end. I think we will delay doing the first complete wheel a little.

Keith Clements · Post by **Keith Clements** » Tue May 16, 2006 10:25 pm

At the back of my mind, I think Ben said the wheel and centre were fitted to commemorate a rally or race (possibly Spa). The colour is something in between the two (not as fawn as the close up and not as pink as the full shot. Also there are some dark brown patches that do not seem to show on either shot. One patch just about shows in the top left of the close up but is over exposed in the photo. Save picture to MS Picture manager and reduce brightness by 20 points and it is about correct. The pink also starts to come through then.

Bryan Walker · Post by **Bryan Walker** » Wed May 17, 2006 11:12 am

Hi Scott,
Looking at the colour of the wheel above it is different from the one I have from a later Jav. The colour of the marbling is more of a silver on this one.
Bryan

Mike Allfrey · Post by **Mike Allfrey** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 10:27 pm

G'dday,

Just to further confound the discussion. For my Jupiter, which lost its plastic very soon after coming to OZ, I had the wheel done for me by Lancaster Wheelrights. Apparently, the Jupiter rim had them stumped, as they did not have a mould that was the samw - spoke orientation and rim sectional diameter (?).

They finally used a Vauxhall mould, which resulted in a rim slightly thicker. I was worried about at the time the discussion took place and finally told them to go ahead. I had sent a sample piece of the seat leather, because if marbling was not possible, that was my first choice. Lancaster also treated the hub the same colour.

The end result has worked well.

I'll get out of your way now,

Mike Allfrey.

53scjup · Post by **53scjup** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:46 pm

I have in my possesion the original Bluemels steering wheel taken from the Monte Carlo Javelin driven by Marcel Bequart ( apologies if spelt wrong ) which has a marbelled effect on it.
Should this be of use to anyone for a colour pattern then I will forward pictures of it.

Post by **Forumadmin** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 8:21 pm

Hi Keil, Please register on JowettGallery and post your pictures there. It is a good idea to use your real name so we can have a human conversation. Jowett Gallery is secure and only open to Jowett Car Club or affiliated club members. Alternatively email them to webmaster.

ian Howell · Post by **ian Howell** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 4:37 pm

Nothing to do with the steering wheel, but Keith's mention of 'many mods' by Ben Shaw reminds me that he had a new set of bonnet hinges cast in bronze (he said - not brass).

I recall he also fitted out his Javelin with a 'spares' kit under a false floor to the boot, which was raised by a couple of inches so it was level with the lid of the tool box.

In here there were a set of wheel bearings, main and big end bearings, con rods and pistons (I think) plus fan belt, valves, etc. All this in preparation for his daughter taking the car on the continent on honeymoon - again -I think.

PJGD might remember more?

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