Description

1951 Jowett Javelin DeLuxe

Fresh from a four-year restoration; few owners; fabulous condition; nice transferable number; find a better one!

Designed by Gerald Palmer during World War II, the Javelin was a major leap forward for the Jowett Car Company and was so far ahead of its UK rivals that it stood comparison with the best European cars from Lancia, Fiat and BMW.
Launched in 1946, it was a breath of fresh air to a British motoring public used to the frumpy saloons of the pre-war era. The unitary pressed steel body included modern aerodynamic styling with faired in headlights, a steeply raked curved windscreen and a sloping fastback tail. It was made for Jowett by Briggs Motor Bodies in Doncaster before final assembly at Jowett’s factory in Idle, Bradford.
The 1.5-litre flat-four overhead valve engine had an aluminium block and was water-cooled with the radiator behind the engine. Fitted with two Zenith carburettors and mated to a four-speed gearbox, it developed 52bhp, giving the car brisk acceleration and a top speed of 80mph.
The positioning of the engine ahead of the front axle and the use of a column change meant Gerald Palmer could comfortably seat six in his roomy, fast-moving saloon and period publications praised the car's good performance, original design and fine handling thanks to independent front suspension with torsion bars front and rear.
While the standard Javelin interior was by no means austere for the time, from 1950 buyers could opt for a ‘DeLuxe’ version which came with bigger bumpers, front fog light, plusher interior fittings, leather seats and a more expansive array of dials set in a wooden dashboard.
Not just at home on the work run, the Javelin achieved considerable competition success, coming first in class at the 1949 Monte Carlo Rally, winning the 2-litre touring car class at the Spa 24-hour race that same year, and winning the 1953 International Tulip Rally outright.
Over 23,000 were sold before Jowett closed down in 1954 and had it been made by a bigger company like Ford, it would have sold ten times that number, so good was the design.
First registered in Lincoln in September 1951, this Javelin DeLuxe has had just four owners from new, our vendor acquiring it in 2018 in a completely dismantled state from an elderly gent in Hull who had begun to restore the car before being struck down by illness.
A Jowett enthusiast with a collection of similar cars, our vendor embarked on a labour of love restoration which was to take almost four years to complete. The original engine was in a poor state so he used one from another Javelin in his collection which he knew to be good. Although there are no bills to show exactly what has been done, the car speaks for itself and, as you can see in the photos, it is in lovely condition throughout.
Much expertise and countless hours have gone into this car and you could not hope to replicate the task at the guide price suggested. It wasn’t done to sell, only to save one of the few that remain from being lost for good.
Starting promptly and running nicely as we have moved it around on site, with good 60psi oil pressure, it comes with an original 1951 Javelin Owner’s Instruction Book, a 1969 Autopress Workshop Manual, road tests of the model and a copy of The Jowetteer – ‘Journal of the World’s Oldest One Make Car Club’.
The icing on the cake is the original Lincoln-issue number plate, EVL 935, which is transferable. But that would be evil, wouldn’t it?
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com