JowettTalk

Thought about taking the Jup out yesterday to the Boxing Day meet but went in the Subaru. Still snow and ice and lots of mud. Not really Jup weather. The meeting was attended by a few hardy classics and lots of classic tractors and army vehicles.

Both Jowetts, 'Mary Ellen' and 'Sarah Jane' are insured/taxed 12 months round, but they have suffered in the past from the salt on the roads this weather.

This being so, I don't use them unless we have a good spell without road salt - the car wash that does the modern above and below isn't suitable for pre-wars!!

Tony.

G'dday From A Very Pleasantly Sunny South,

Umm, all weather is Jupiter driving weather!

However, I do understand your desire to keep your Jowetts safely tucked away in winter hibernation to avoid the demonic salt.

Back in the 1950s, our Boxing Day treat was a visit to Brockley Combe (on the Weston Road out of Bristol, near Cleeve) to watch the trials cars trying to scale the sides of the combe. As my father said, you need a well-proportioned girlfriend to help with the grip inducing bouncing!

I suppose the Nanny Society has banned such entertaining activities.

All the best for the New Year!

Mike Allfrey.

Totally agree about driving a Jup with the hood down in a bracing icy blast. Great. Drummond and I did the Le-Jog with some pretty bad winter conditions in Northern Scotland. We were however tucked up in a well insulated Jup with all the many holes blocked off with sealant. I used a light to find all the holes all around the passenger compartment.

Took my Jupiter out for a run day before yesterday in 34 degrees ambient (in shade) and old age is creeping up on me - it was a bir warm for me while waiting at traffic lights.

Apart from that, it was a good drive.

Our Jupiter has been back on the road now for eleven years now and there is no sign of rust. When I first obtained the car, it was eleven years old and was extensively chewed-out by tin mites.

My favourite experiences were driving the Jupiter in winter with the top down. I used to love being first out in fresh snow!

Probably the best reason for living in Melbourne is the total absence of salt on our roads. My Rover P6B is also totally rust-free and it is 32 years old now.

All the best for next year!

Mike A.

Mike - Nice to know that there is another member of the club that also coverts a Rover P6B - mine is just turning 37 years old - all original and depite the uk weather / roads & salt has never been welded or painted - having said that it helps that the first owner nursed it from new for 30 years - I am the second owner and still nurse it - the fact that the car has only covered 20,200 miles from new also helps! Now if only I could say the same thing for my Jowett which is presently under restoration. All the best for the new year.

P.S. I am sure that you are a seasoned classic car owner but should you become unstuck on parts for the rover drop me a mail - unsure if the supply downunder is anygood - obviously the UK is a very good hunting ground for parts supply of this model.

Chris

Thanks for that Chris.

At the Rover Car Club (Aust) the Parts Officer reported that rear brake pads for P6B are no longer available - is that so in the UK?

I bought a P6B because I felt that there should be a V8 in my life. If Jowett had built a flat-8, then I might have missed out on the Rover experience. The Rover Club here is a brilliant club to be involved with.

I think we have both found good examples of a thoroughly good British motor car - that is good.

All the best,
Mike Allfrey.

Mike - Rear brake pads are readly available in the uk - at about £45 uk sterling a set - this will be plus VAT (uk tax) and whatever the shipping costs to you are - I can highly recommend these 2 UK websites of P6 parts specialists -
www.rover-classics.co.uk
www.jrwadhams.co.uk
mail me if you still have difficulty finding what you require

Regards

Chris