JowettTalk

Does the club hold records of members dating back to the beginning of the formation of the jowett club 1923? This classic car of the year comp, has prompted me to try and get together as much history on the car as I can find, though I have lots of photos, it would be nice to put some information with them. A kind of history file I'm looking for the name of the owner before my great grandfather, from 34/35, as the car was to my knowledge was purchased in 1935. I was wondering if the previous owner or my great grandfather was a member of the JCC.

Hi Alan,

I'd think it fairly safe to assume that the person who bought the car in 1934 was the first owner. As a result the factory records may well show who they sold the car to, or at least which dealer they sold it through.

Worth contacting the registrar and asking for any and all information they have relating to it, and see if they have access to the factory records and can advise.

It is worth getting a copy of the section of the records that relate to your car - if we get to the NEC I'll give you a hand with a storyboard that you can display in the windows of your car. I suspect they won't want a board displayed outside the car, but in previous years have included a board with the background story from your entry and the basic stats on the car, year, engine size, owner etc.

Jack.

Yes, would be a good thing to know, have always wondered if the club had such records, Will also contact the registrar. Am also going down the dvla route to if theres any information there.

AlanBartlett wrote:Yes, would be a good thing to know, have always wondered if the club had such records, Will also contact the registrar. Am also going down the dvla route to if theres any information there.

If you don't get anywhere with the registrar (they may not have the factory records) I believe we may have a copy of them somewhere. I have no idea if they go back that far, our concern was mainly with the late 40s and 50s Javelins and Jupiters and they definitely had details of both Amy's Jupiter and my Javelin with info on colour of car and interior, first owner and chassis no.

Jack.

They do not go back that far.

Alan, if you can find out which county or area 'OY' originally came from, it is possible that they may still have records going back that far. There is a process which you will need to go through and it may be the records were destroyed (many were!) but you are in with a chance. I did this for my Kingfisher and obtained the name and address of the first owner in Portsmouth.

According to Newall, OY was allocated to the County Borough Council of Croydon and the first issue in 1934 was OY 7572. AOY was started in December 1934. The dealer supplying would almost certainly have been in the Croydon area . Bob Lintott

Thanks Robert for mentioning Newall, I hadn't heard of this publication.

Others may be interested, so one source is:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/History-Vehicle ... 187268632X

Tony.

Anyone at all interested in the rather esoteric subject of car registrations should have a copy of Newall, although there are other authors who have published on the subject. The late Les Newall's book has been updated to include a description of the awful current system which seems to have been constructed to destroy any sense of memorability in registrations ---can you remember yours, is a 12 plate older or newer than a 61?

Although this is a "bible" it is only as good as the administration of the old local and national system, which was at times irrational and ad hoc. However for those of us interested in the Veteran, Vintage and Classic years it is a fascinating read.

Bob Lintott

Have just gotten into contact with Michael Worthington Williams, who has informed me that most if not all of the records from the that area, would have unforutunatly been destroyed. So probably a dead end that way. Shame. Hopefully looking through the boxes of paper work I have, jowett related will turn up something. Although last night managed to find a bill of receipt for an engine rebuild from 1952, over in a garage in farnham, Surrey. Barnett and Small. Almost 100 miles away from where the car was based at that point in time.

So more interesting things are gradually coming to light. When was the transition between the old Rf 60 log book and the next registration form and then onto the current V5s/C?

Does anyone have a copy of Jowett Agents in that area?

Alan, you might find a lead in this way. From September 1934 Croydon started to use 3-letter plates ending in turn in BY, OY, RK and VB. They started with A** then B** etc. If you look through the JCC car register for all Jowetts of all ages bearing one of these plates it is quite likely most if not all came through the same dealer, or from the same distributor for the Croydon area. I think new cars could be registered by a distributor or a dealer for the make or a general dealer large enough to warrant being given a block of numbers.

If you then enquire of the owners---JCC members-- they may know the name of the dealer or dealers who supplied their Jowett , which might well have been your supplier. For example there is a Javelin in the register with plate LOY 50, although 20 years apart it could have come from the same dealer. Which reminds me of Cliff Davis a South London garage owner ,a well known sports car driver in the 1950s who had a car registered LOY***. 500 was it? Maybe there is a list of South London motor traders? Good hunting Bob

Thanks for the information Bob, will have delve through my vehicle listings. Just noticed your from somerset, hopefully local, hope youll come along to the SW agm in november.

But also along the way Ive found a website which has photos of various jowett garages, show rooms, along with a few cars.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/picture/result? ... owett&s=60