XXII Rallye De Monte Carlos 1952 Arrivee a Monaco.
WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT THE
1945–54 JOWETT JAVELIN WORDS AND PHOTOS GRAEME RICE
It can be helpful, and sometimes amusing, to look back to see what the motoring press had to say about new vehicles at the time of their release to the public. Graeme Rice takes us back in this retrospective journey. There’s something rather poignant about a company which, for over 35 years, produced a succession of steady, economical and reliable cars, well suited to their hilly Yorkshire landscape, that under new ownership launches a race winning, high performance six-seater with an advanced specification intended for export markets. In late 1942, with both Jowett brothers dead, new managing director Calcott Reilly was aiming high, preparing for the post-war motoring boom and hunting for a bright young chief engineer who could help Jowett achieve their share of that. Initially reluctant to make the move, 30 year-old Gerald Palmer was enticed north on a salary of £500 with the brief to design a new breed of Jowett. In fact, a new breed of high performance saloon. Interest in the new car was intense, with The Motor of August 1944 scooping the story that the new Jowett was already being road tested. This was followed up in September 1945 when Autocar reported; “Jowett have been allowed to make an experimental prototype which incorporates a number of interesting new features. It will continue the Jowett reputation for roominess, but to this characteristic has been added up-to-date speed, streamlining and springing.” If this aroused high expectations, then Jowett’s announcement of May 1946 really set tongues wagging; 30 Beaded Wheels
“Jowett’s Chairman has announced a new design of car – the Javelin. Described as a streamlined, generously proportioned six-seater in which fine acceleration and performance have been achieved with careful use of light alloy materials which give a very favourable power to weight ratio.” William Boddy, Editor of Motor Sport magazine, reported in the November 1946 issue; “The Jowett previously has never been a high-performance automobile, but the new “Javelin” appears to be in this category. The old-established Bradford concern has had the happy idea of putting a 1,485cc version of its flat-four engine into a new chassis with 8 ft. 6 in. wheelbase, torsion bar i.f.s. damped by hydraulic telescopic shock-absorbers, an 8½-in. ground clearance, and with integral pressed-steel Briggs Motor Bodies saloon coachwork. The Jowett “Javelin” weighs 18 cwt. Dry, does 50 in 3rd, and goes along effortlessly at about 70 mph in top gear. This is unquestionably one of Britain’s more promising small saloons.” Eight months later, Bill Boddy was able to test a Javelin and was no less enthused about the new model; “The Jowett Javelin is an astonishing car and a credit to the British technician. At last we have a saloon car which can hold up its head when it encounters the Continentals. Realise that this very brisk newcomer is of a mere 1,500 cc, has ample room within for six persons, and is no more different in appearance than the more
