1949 Javelin PA for sale

[WorcsWanderer]

My 1949 Javelin PA GUK 912 is for sale. It’s a complete, running car, sold to me as in excellent condition and fully roadworthy, but in reality it’s a project.

The good points first. It looks presentable in shiny black paint, save for a small graze and kink on the o/s front wing. The chrome is good, although the grill and rear window surround could be improved.

The seats are in good condition as is the headlining. The door cards are reasonable, the carpets are usable but shabby.

The engine runs and idles well. An electric fuel pump has been fitted. The radiator is watertight, there are no leaks from the hoses and the heater works.

All the gears select, though a little notchy. The instruments and all lights work, the trafficators pop up without hesitation and have flashing bulbs. Aftermarket indicators are also fitted, separately switched; they can be easily removed if you wish. The reversing light is operated by a switch under the dash rather than the gearbox.

The battery was new last September, with a cut-out switch accessed from the rear seat base panel. It has four barely-used Excelsior crossplies with deep tread and no sidewall cracks. The spare is a Pirelli crossply that holds air but must be ancient.

So why is this car a project? For two reasons. The brakes work, but with only minimal pedal travel they are either on or off. The handbrake can stick on and be difficult to release. The car has been converted to fully hydraulic, but there are clearly problems somewhere.

The second and main reason is the chassis. It has been repaired by someone lacking welding skills and common sense. They used metal about 1mm thick which is inadequate for taking the load from the torsion bars and therefore twisting in places. This has been aggravated by their tack and splatter-gun welding “technique”. Ray at Daytona Autos has inspected it and feels the car is not safe in this condition.

It needs someone with the appropriate skills and time to properly repair the chassis and attend to the brakes. I would rather sell it as a complete car; I feel it deserves a second chance and I don’t have the time or the space to break it.

A friend can deliver it to anywhere in mainland UK; he is very reasonable on costs. I’m in Kidderminster, Worcestershire and the car is stored near Stourport. I’m advertising it here first but if necessary it’ll go on eBay. I’m asking £2500 or very near offer; it must surely be worth that in parts alone.

Please PM me if interested. More photos are available.

[David Morris]

Hi WorcsWanderer,

Thanks for the post and I am sorry that you feel you need to find a newowner for the Javelin. I must say that she looks very presentable in your photos, and it would be a shame if it ends up as a parts car, after such a long life. I should add that I am not a potential buyer, but perhaps you need to indicate where the chassis needs attention, so that potential buyers can get an idea of how much work needs to be done? As you will appreciate it is a box section, and Jowett's didn't help by fitting a felt cushion along the top part of the box. Over the years this gets wet and results in the top part of the box rotting out. The only practical solution is to strip out a lot of the interior and weld in new plate, practically remaking the box section.

As you say, this needs to be of a thickness to match the original at least. Weak points are the torsion bar rear mounting area, the rear of the chassis where the lower suspension arms pivot, the top area in the rear wings where the top rear suspension arms pivot and finally and probably the most critical, where the lower front suspension wishbones attach to the chassis legs under the engine. All these areas need to be good and sound. Especially the last area I mentioned, which needs to be free of stress cracking.

I am sure that there are well qualified welding experts in the club who could advise you on how much work is involved, in which the time to dismantle the vehicle is a big factor on the potential cost. Do send me a PM or email if you need any help with the folks who might be able to help?

As for the brakes, these shouldn't be too much of a problem, as all the parts are available and it's just a question of a rebuild to restore performance. Costs will depend on how much is needed.

All the best,

David

[WorcsWanderer]

Hello David,

Thank you for your comments and advice. I didn’t accompany GUK when it was taken to Daytona Autos, so wasn’t able to take any photos of the underside of the car. However my friend (who transported it) did and I’ve attached them. Hopefully they give a clearer idea of the underside’s condition.

Like you, I wouldn’t like to see GUK broken for spares. I have a fair amount of history for the car and it’s had an interesting past. Sadly, due to having a fairly small garage and having had abdominal surgery, I can’t undertake the dismantling work myself and obviously the repairs need to be done by an expert. I can’t really justify paying to have the work done; as I paid a top price for the car, financially it’s unrealistic for me to continue with it.

My hope is that by selling GUK as a project at a relatively low cost, it becomes viable for someone else to take it on, especially if they can do much of the work (such as dismantling) themselves.

As you say, the brakes are more easily rectified. I tend to be rather focused on braking performance since part of my drive has quite a steep slope – steeper than it probably appears in the photos.

Kind regards,
Bryan

[David Morris]

Hi Bryan,

Thanks for the photos. Yes, I agree that the standard of the welding is not the best, and unfortunately it looks like 'blob and tack' MIG. Not that I could do any better...I can do a good job with thick stuff with my stick welder, but you need diferent skills to weld thin plate with gas, TIG or MIG. What worries me more is what would be the condition of the top part of the 'box' chassis, which is hidden under the floor? That's the part that goes rotten first? My Javelin was repaired here by Wally Tucker, who took copious photos and showed him rebuilding the box chassis, with almost the whole interior of the car removed. The other area that subsequently needed to be strengthened was the chassis just inboard of the lower suspension arm and the end of the torsion bar. Dennis Sparrow did a super job here as there were stress cracks in the chassis. Any Javelin owner needs to keep a close eye on the vertical bolt that goes through the end of the torsion bar mount. This must be kept really TIGHT, otherwise you risk stress cracking through the chassis. These stress cracks can be masked by oil and sludge from the engine above. This area needs to be checked annually!

I sold my Javelin a couple of years ago, for the same reasons you mention. I moved from a big garage that had three up and over doors ( two at the front and one at the side ) and with a deep pit, to a single garage. Having had heart surgery as well, I realised that any work underneath the Javelin in the small garage was going to be pretty uncomfortable, so regrettably she had to find a new home.

I think the best outcome for GUK would be to find her a new home with someone who is prepared to tackle the chassis properly, especially in the areas that I have mentioned. You need to use good solid plate, probably all round the box section and restore back to the original strength. Don't think this is an impossible task, it can be done relatively easily, once the car has been cleared, but to have it achieved professionally will be expensive. I am sure there are professionals in the club who could give you a fair estimate. But, realistically, it needs a hobbyist who has the time and skills to do a good careful job. That would see GUK safe for another 70 years!

I think your experience with GUK shows up another point. Now that we have been realised from the rigours of the annual MoT, GUK could have been used on the road for years without any professional inspections. The Government has given us that responsibility and we need to be vigilent, just like you!

As you say, the brakes can be sorted fairly easily, even if this involves a complete rebuild. I remember my Javelin being given her annual MoT, and the inspector saying she had a better handbrake efficiency than most modern cars! GUK would have been safe on your steep drive!

I do hope you find a new owner for GUK who appreciates that you have a sound basis for a lovely car. Roll back fifteen years and I would have been knocking at your door! I have two sons, one who likes to gas weld and the other who prefers MIG, and they are both proficient!

All the best and if I can help and find GUK a new home, do please let me know?

David

[WorcsWanderer]

Hi David,

Yes, I think it's a project that an experienced and patient restorer could take on, especially if they are a proficient welder. I don't know what condition the box section tops are in; I simply can't see them.

Please do feel free to mention that GUK is looking for a new home. It's not a project for everyone, so I expect it will take a while to find her next owner.

[WorcsWanderer]

As the Javelin is taking up much-needed space at my friend's business it really needs to go.

To avoid having to sell it via eBay or consign it to auction (not my preferred options), I'm dropping the price in the hope that a Club member or someone else eager to have a Javelin project will take it on. It's now for sale at £1750.

Bear in mind that's for a complete, running and presentable looking car which would be worth much more than that if broken for spares, though that would be a shame after surviving for almost 75 years.

As mentioned previously, my friend can deliver it anywhere in mainland UK and is very reasonable on costs. Or of course you're welcome to arrange your own transport.

Please see my initial post in this thread for details and do message me if you'd like to know more.

[David Morris]

Hi WorcsWanderer,

I completely understand your position, as it could easily have happened to me, if Dennis Sparrrow hadn't been able to rectify the stress cracks I had found.

I do hope GUK will find a new home very soon, and escape the clutches of someone who just wants the registration and/or decideds to break her for parts.

She looks ideal for someone who has the facilities and resources to strip and rebuild the chassis, and she looks to be the basis for a very sound project. I just wish I had what she needs, but at 82 ( nearly 83! ), I know my limitations!

Have you advertised her in the Jowetteer?

Come on folks, she needs saving! It's the best time of the year to get spannering!

All the best,

David

[Tonyb57]

I've more cost in mine than what you are advertising for, I can't understand why it hasn't been snapped up, and mines just a shell and 2 seats, it's a shame that post war cars are down in the pecking order compared to a rusty escort

[Tonyb57]

I've more cost in mine than what you are advertising for, I can't understand why it hasn't been snapped up, and mines just a shell and 2 seats, it's a shame that post war cars are down in the pecking order compared to a rusty escort

[WorcsWanderer]

Hello Tony,

There was some interest in it and it as delivered yesterday – appropriately to a club member in Bradford, so you could say the car has finally gone full circle and back home.

Chhers,
Bryan

[Tonyb57]

Hi that's good news, I'm in Bradford, I wonder who bought it, I'll ask at the next club spares night

[Nick Webster]

I'd be grateful if someone could remind the new owner to contact me as Javelin Registrar so I can keep the club's records up to date. Details inside Jowetteer front cover or pm on here. Thanks.

Nick