G'day All from Ian Hingston

[IanHingston]

A bit about me and Jowetts for those that don't know me...
Although I joined the NZ JCC way back in the 70's and have owned many Javelins (one year I took 4 through to the annual rally in Taupo), I cut my fleet down to just one 1952 Standard in 1976 when I was transferred to Singapore by the RNZAF for 2.5 years. This car has had the engine and gearbox rebuilt, been painted and reupholstered - all professionally - by the previous owner who wasn't mechanically minded or even a Club member, and then came to me to sell it through the club for $3,000 as that was what it had cost him to date and he had run out of money. This was in 1976 and obviously no-one was going to pay that sort of money for a Javelin that didn't even go back then, that still needed to be rewired, exhaust system and windscreen rubber purchased and fitted as well as a new floor manufactured and fitted, so I came to an arrangement with him and bought it. It is still in that state - the engine has never even been run yet - and was stored in my Mum's garage in Wanganui for 20 years. It was going to be my retirement project - I had rejoined the Club several years ago - and 6 months ago I moved it from Johnsonville to Waikanae and stored it there whilst Catherine and I built our retirement home in Paraparaumu. I was ready to strip it down and start the rebuild again as soon as we moved in. As the major cost items would only require stripping and cleaning up, it was not going to be an expensive task.
And then I got the opportunity to buy a Jupiter from an old buddy from the 70's. He had rebuilt the car in the 70's. It used to be in pristine condition and was on public display in at least one Mall in Christchurch, but after that, things went downhill, he had an accident in the car, causing some panel damage and then later on the crankshaft snapped, so it was stored in an open shed in an industrial site when it lay for 37 years suffering further damage and deterioration over that time. The previous owner went from a single free agent to a married man focussed on building up his business. Playing with Jowetts were well down on the priority list. We came to an arrangement a few months ago and now I have a Jupiter crying out for attention, sitting in my new (unfinished) workshop. I'm planning on bringing it to the 2016 National Rally - even if it is by A Frame!
When I get more familiar with this website, I'll post some pictures.
Also I know that I am going to have "issues" to to resolve in the rebuild. What better way to sort them out than to publish them on this website.

Till the next time

Ian Hingston (NZJCC, Club member 756)

[Keith Clements]

Welcome Ian,
Thanks for the introduction. Please also register on JowettGallery, if you have not already done so, to get even more from this site.

I am sure the knowlegeable fellows that frequent JowettTalk will love to help you get both cars back on the road. So hope to hear from you soon.

When you are up and running with JowettGallery you can create a couple of albums to store all the pictures of the rebuild. But how about adding a picture or two as attachements to this topic?