Sources
Help build the largest human-edited directory on the web.
Submit a site - Become an editor
Wikipedia. Licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Are you an expert in this subject? Join the discussion and share your knowledge at Wikipedia.org.
Jowett Javelin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Jowett Javelin | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Manufacturer | Jowett Cars |
| Production | 1947–1953. 23,307 made. [1] |
| Body style | saloon |
| Engine | Jowett flat four, 1486 cc |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 102 inches (2590 mm) [2] |
| Length | 168 inches (4267 mm) [2] |
| Width | 60 inches (1524 mm) [2] |
| Curb weight | 2120 pounds (940 kg) [2] |
| Designer | Gerald Palmer |
The Jowett Javelin was an award-winning British car that was produced from 1947 to 1953 by Jowett of Bradford. The model went through five variants labelled PA to PE, each having a standard and "de luxe" option.
The car was designed by Gerald Palmer during World War II and was intended to be a major leap forward following the relatively staid designs of pre-war Jowetts. The flat four overhead valve engine of 1486 cc with a compression ratio of 7.2:1 was water-cooled and had an aluminium block and wet cylinder liners. It developed 50 bhp at 4100 rpm (52.5 bhp in the case of the PE) giving the car a maximum speed of 77 mph and a 0-50 mph time of 13.4 seconds. [2] Two Zenith carburettors were fitted and PA and PB versions had hydraulic tappets. The radiator was behind the engine. A four speed gearbox with column change was used.
Design features included aerodynamic styling with the headlights faired into the wings and, for the time, a steeply sloped, curved windscreen. The body was of pressed steel, incorporating a box-section chassis and was made for Jowett by Briggs Motor Bodies in their Doncaster factory. The suspension used torsion-bars on all wheels (independent at the front) and internal gear-and-pinion steering. PA and PB models had mixed Girling hydraulic brakes at the front and mechanical braking at the rear. Later versions were fully hydraulic.
The car had a wheelbase of 102 inches and a track of 51 inches. Overall the car was 14 feet long, 5 feet wide and weighed about 1 (Imperial) ton (depending on model and year). The car was expensive costing GBP819 at launch. [1]
Just over 23,000 units were produced.
An early example won in its class at the 1949 Monte Carlo Rally whilst another won the 2-litre touring-car class at the Spa 24-hour race that same year. In the 1952 International RAC Rally a Javelin again won its class and also took the "Best Closed Car" award, while the 1953 International Tulip Rally was won outright by a privately entered Javelin.
- ^ a b Robson, G (2006). A-Z of British Cars 1945-1980. Devon, UK: Herridge. ISBN 0-9541063-9-3.
- ^ a b c d e Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.