1952 Jowett Javelin - 'DELIVERED'

Whilst ever its with me its well insured under my motor trade policy - If the truth is known I'm reluctant to release the vehicle anyway until I receive the final payment for my work

That’s disappointing for you 😕. But gives you your answer on what to do though.

Constant Progress continues to be such a pleasure to watch Chris, despite the little bugbears like chips.

Here’s to your handover etc being painless and sooner than later.

Regarding your QA guy......

Always makes me smile.

Flatted the painted areas that I did yesterday



Then polished the areas up through the stages







All done and the wing mirror refitted on the offside which I had removed for to allow for the paintwork



Final tip on the subject of polishing I would always recommend washing the mops / heads out when you have finished with them - I normally wash them quite regularly if I'm doing a complete vehicle especially with the first stage process



Once washed I normally spin the excess water out of them on the polisher then store them in separate zip / freezer bags to prevent them from becoming contaminated - its also a good idea to replace your polishing cloths on a regular basis too - if you purchase decent micro fibre ones you can stick them through washing machine when dirty (Costco is the best source for decent micro fibre cloths in the UK - a bundle of 40 is sub £15)



Going back to the subject of paint the bolt heads on the bumper irons & in several other places were all touched in



The refurbished seats were treated to a application of leather cream



Which once had been left to do its job was just given a light rub over with a clean cloth



Yielding pretty nice results - the carpets were given a quick run over with the vacuum - door cards a wipe over and the door apertures like wise - that's the interior all completed



Bloody engine was still bugging me - I really did not want to hand it back in a non running condition even though its got sod all to do with me - the distributor is new but the cap looked quite well used - so that got changed for a new one that I had in stock - I then checked for static timing with the spark plug removed from No 1 cylinder and set to TDC which all corresponded



I then removed the rocker cover and checked that the valve timing was also corresponding correctly





Interestingly there are still traces of minor coolant leaks via the head studs (absolutely nothing to do with me and I am not getting involved)

I bolted the rocker cover back on and then with the ignition on cranked the engine over by hand (that's the beauty of old stuff like this - insert the starting handle and away you go) I checked for a individual spark at each cylinder with the plugs removed but placed to the caps - spark at each one but very weak and one thing that the Javelin engine hates is a weak spark



I took a look at the what looked like new plugs - well would you know it 'Wrong Plugs' not only wrong plug type but gaps set at 75 thou - I had a new set to the correct spec in stock which were duly fitted after they were gapped correctly at 25 thou - all in and leads back on - turned the key and it started immediately & ran like clockwork - Quite obviously the engine builder is a complete liability



Sump gasket (or should I say that the sump is still leaking due to the lack of a gasket its just cobbled with goo of some description) again not my problem and for someone else to sort



I did however notice that the bottom of both the carburettor bases were damp with fuel



I fitted new needle valves to the float chambers but the float level was obviously set too high



Just a matter of placing a another washer under valve to reduce that float height a little



Engine bay was given a valet

Now with exception of a wax in the morning that's it - DONE - FINISHED - COMPLETED

I shall run it down the lane if the weather is ok and take some pics

I heard from Bill overnight - they are booked on a priority return flight to the UK end the end of the month (I cant see what the priority is if you are having to wait 3 weeks + to get a flight back in the first place) - They will be on 14 day isolation period upon getting home

Back to the Javelin then - you need to consider that this has not been a full restoration - I've not really touched or rebuilt any of the drive train components bar refit the engine & gearbox - I have undertaken some work on the brakes and a little on the suspension - refurbished some of the trim whilst replacing other areas of it - its largely been what I would call a decent rolling shell restoration - Hours committed in order to complete it = 835 hours - that's about right for a rolling restoration 700 - 900 for a mid size vehicle is a good guide - full / complete restorations are dependant upon what the parts availability is but anything from 1000 - 1500 hours is another reasonable guide for a mid sized vehicle - I have had in excess of 2000 hours expended upon museum quality vehicles before today

New project awaits in the morning (well I've sort of made a start on it already)

The car looks brillianr and really is a credit to you and your skills.
Its a bit of a shame that you seem downheartened with the project at the end but i think you have done more that most would after being dealt such a bad hand.
Look forward to the next project.

Thank you for letting us (me) along for the start to finish of this car. Brilliant reading. A privilege to see how you work. The interior of this Jowett looks a great place to be, particularly on a long journey; well specified driver’s accommodation with lots of useful information from the dials and comfy seats for all. I didn’t keep up - apologies- may I ask does the car have a heater? Many thanks.

Thank you- impressive having an efficient heater.

835 hours. 21 weeks work.

As there's have said, a credit to your skills and work ethics. A shame to be let down by others.
Thanks for sharing.