Why can't you sell a Javelin?

[Nick Webster]

Something lightweight for the start of 2025.

Following on from my own post in Cars and Parts section about a Javelin currently on the market, I wondered if anyone would care to venture why, despite glowing reports of what a fabulous car they are and well covered by a spares scheme, Javelins are so ignored by would be classic car owners. We can ignore the fact that the classic car market in general is sliding away because that's just the price and not demand between various marques.

Oh, and Happy New Year

Nick

[k. rogers]

I think some people are scared off by anything unorthodox. Also, there is a lot of scaremongering out there, I here it at car meets frequently, same old stuff we've all heard I'm sure; broken cranks, head gasket failure, etc.
A Happy New Year to all!

[Forumadmin]

Read Scott's reply to that post and you can add my 56 years of owning my Jupiter that has always had a hard life doing racing and rallies all over Europe and some of Africa, as well as European tours and frequent holidays around Britain.
Not quite so adventurous in the my daughter's Javelin but it has also done European tours and nearly 20 years of taxiing at the Goodwood Revival. It has done over 600,000 miles.
Both won concours awards last year even so!

[David Kemp]

The classic car market is dependent on the next generation of 50 year old men.
50 year Olds buy the car they wanted when young as they now have the money.
Over my life time I have watched car values go up & then down as Mr 50 becomes 60 & Mr 40 becomes 50.
Also orphan brands also have a problem as there is no current enthusiast of a brand looking at their passions past.
Look at a Ford Cortina versus a Hillman Hunter, I can probably buy
5 Hunters for the price of a Cortina.
Next problem is volume, Jowett made a miniscule volume of cars compared to other brands, this leaves a lot smaller sample of cars to be seen/ known about than mainstream brands.
Many valuable low volume cars like Bugatti/ Duesenberg were legends when new but are now simply bought as investment s like paintings. Is a Duesenberg really worth $50 million or a Picasso $110 million?
Both can be faked , or reproduced for far less than their perceived value.
Answer is get in your Jowett & let it be seen.
It will not appreciate like wine if you leave it in the cellar.

[Chris Spencer]

I don't think that we have anything to complain about - The Javelin along with all other Jowetts are ready saleable providing its described honestly & priced fairly*

* Owners chasing the restoration cost of their Jowett, speculative dealers along with private owners attempting to sell Javelins without taking into account the amount of work required to make the car roadworthy yet alone cosmetically compliant in appearance needn't apply