Car & Classic Dealer

Martin Howey Classics

Thirsk Yorkshire

1952 JOWETT JAVELIN - LOVELY, RARE OLD GIRL & A TV STAR! For Sale

HERE is my delightful 1952 Jowett Javelin which was the actual car used in the hit TV series Ballikissangel where it was driven by the priest played by Stephen Tompkinson. ZO 2222 was one of 26 cars despatched to Dublin in 1952 where they were assembled by W. P Ryan Ltd of Ringsend. This Javelin is believed to be the only surviving vehicle from that batch!

The Javelin, built by Jowett of Bradford, ceased production in 1954 when the relatively small family business went bust. Their executive saloon, designed by the world famous Gerald Palmer, was extremely expensive at £1, 100 and the business could no longer cope when - towards the end - they decided to end production of their gearboxes in the Midlands and take the task into their own factory. Production slowed down and orders faded. Soon they were to be no more. The poor Javelin, caught in the crossfire, had been self-impaled. I am sure it was a point not lost on Jowett as they closed their doors for the last time 65 years ago!

Anyway, so here we have ZO 2222. Freshly out of Ireland and, by strange coincidence, currently residing about an hour's drive away from her origins. She is a lovely old girl and a super driver with that famous low, flat-four engine. She is incredibly solid underneath and - as an added bonus - her engine was totally rebuilt in 2004 with bills of close on £3, 000 tucked away in her history file. While the work was being done, she was converted to run on unleaded.

I would describe her as being a really nice, pretty condition 2 classic. Great solidity, a rebuilt engine, stunning looks and oodles of fun. But of course what have I not yet mentioned? Yes, the blatantly obvious. Amazing rarity.

She is on the button and has a lovely smooth 4-speed column change. I very much doubt you would be able to fault her structurally and it is only some small cosmetic areas in the gleaming black paintwork that may count against her in some people's eyes. They don't bother me. Her rear bumper is painted silver (it could easily be re-chromed) and there is some natural cracking in the red leather just inside the driver's door. However I think I am being picky here with a make and model where context is all. Some small things make me smile here such as the original chrome "Javelin" script badge on the offside rear wing and the original radio blanking plate in the wooden dashboard, proudly proclaiming this to be a Jowett Javelin!

Now out of Ireland and on UK soil, I have completed her NOVA application (notification of vehicle arrival) and with zero taxes to be paid, she is now ready to be registered as a UK car with the DVLA. I will supply her new owner with the NOVA reference number and the task is then a simple enough one.

All my classic cars are treated as the equivalent of motoring antiques. This one, for example, is 67-years-old! They cannot be compared to the wife's six-month-old Chelsea tractor and they are bound to come with imperfections, quirks and bits and pieces that will need attention even if it is some time in the future. They do however come with oodles of charm, appeal and are there to be loved like a family pet. If you are new to the classic car scene, then please bear all this in mind. Most examples have clearly had work over the decades and I cannot predict how much or how little they will need in the future. That, I am afraid, is the nature of the beast in the world of classic cars. Motoring antiques is what they are. I love my Georgian dining table, but I can see all the scars and signs of previous woodworm. Had I wanted a brand new table, I would have gone to Oak Furniture Land. Well perhaps. Demand is outstripping supply these days and they don't make the old girls any more. So, make some allowances and drive away with a smile on your face. It goes with the territory, and therefore must be accepted, that they are always going to need on-going care, attention and repair. Don't tell me some way down the line that the full beam doesn't work or that you have discovered something I knew nothing about. They are bloody old. It happens. They come in and they go out. It seems as though I have become a "re-homer" of classic cars.

I accept all major debit cards and a ten per cent deposit is required at the point of sale with the balance due within three days. I can also assist with delivery and so please ask for a quote. Thanks for reading, Martin. the details below).





This advert has now been removed through sale or otherwise.
Please see the list below for similar live adverts.

Similar Adverts

The engineering business, Jowett, was founded in 1901 by Brothers Benjamin and William Jowett, and Arthur C. Lamb. They had workshops in Bradford, West Yorkshire in England. At first they were a general engineering company making cycles, engines for driving machinery, cars and motorcycles. In 1904 they became the Jowett ...

17 Mar 2024
London

Black and burgundy RME in good running condition. Bare metal respray, carpets and headlining 2010. Original tan leather seats. Mechanics good, starts and drives well, runs at correct 50 psi oil pressure. Recent full service new battery and (radial) tyres. Stainless exhaust. Electric petrol pump. Rack & pinion steering, ...

42,500
7 Feb 2024
Suffolk
Private