Ave age of A jowetter?

[Keith Andrews]

This question was raised here by Tim
http://jowett.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=395&highlight=
And never really addressed.

Previously Spent 3 yrs in off roading (not 4x4)
about 15 yrs in Hot Rodding, resto, engine design, cheviy Small blocks, LPG...
Around 1995 took a brake from cars, other than a little maint, and resto of our Camaro.
Then about 7 yrs ago accidently found a Bradford parked up behind a factory...My parents had one in the late '40s and '50s...and always a had a 'soft spot' thu never seen one for decades...The wife gave me permission to buy iy for $500 thu it was a mess mechanically and the body had been butchered around.
Then about a yr ago one came up for sale as a runner, flew down to the other end of the country for the day and transported home....rebuilt running gear, tidied body up, process of rebuilding engine, gearbox, diff etc...but still drive daily, and I mean EVERY day...go to the shops, working on site, visiting, hauling loads around, computers, sand, parts.
My Wife puts it like this
"your parents had to run around in something primative like this...we do it by choice!!!"

[AlanBartlett]

Wow I'm the only one under 25 so far.... Where are you young guns?

[Alastair Gregg]

Erm well we are mature young guns.

I am delighted to see a young person with good taste (Jowett) involved with a resto. Please help us out here. What interested you in the marque and club so we can promote it. I voted as well and am the only one currently in my age bracket. If all our eggs are in the 55-65 basket (not casket or basket case before anyone takes offence) then in the next 20 years or so there will be an awful lot of cheap Jowetts on the market.

What would interest your friends?

Thanks in anticipation

[AlanBartlett]

I got into Jowetts quite recently, my dad passed away last year and for about the past 8 years his long 7 has been stood on blocks in the garage surrounded by the usual family hord of items, so anyways I wanted to restore/ finish what hadnt quite finished which was to put a newly aquired engine in and get it back to road, I'm 17 now and have been learning to drive for the past 6 months so when I do get my full license this will definetly be one of my first/only cars carry on family history (my dads granddad passed it on my dad at roughly the same age as me I imagine) So as Ive been getting stuck into the restoration I've been learning as I go and am really enjoying it. I think well what interests me is the techincal side of things how each thing works togther kind of thing to make it move, Ive looked at past Jowetteers and looked at some Technical Meetings you put on back in day and some of the scenic runs, it seems that during the recent years this has faded out.

[Alastair Gregg]

I am sorry to hear about your Father.

The rest of your story is great to hear and as a father myself I'd be delighted to hear of any son of mine doing what you are. I have four girls and unlike forum admins girls have zilch interest in anything vaugely useful. So I think your Dad would be proud of you.

I remember getting my Javelin at 14 and wishing my life away until I passed my test (5 months after my 17th). The learning you are talking of added to the fun and I could replace a head gasket in the dark by feel and set the tapets up in less than 2hours by the time I was 18 (Yes at Le mans they would have done it in 3 minutes But hey I was a youngster learning). There are pictures on the gallery if you have joined.

As to technical meetings Ouch! I left the club briefly for about 30 years (in Jowett terms it barely registers, remember they are passed on to the next of kins kin) and have recently (sept 06) come back. So the observations are that the TIO's faded into the background and have not featured for some while as they were concerned about being sued if their advice was taken and damaged something or someone. The club saw this and worried sufficiently to set up the Car Club as a limited company (which can only be sued for a "limited" amount thus freeing up those of the club who are technically very competent to help those of us who are not). This is going through at the moment and I sincerely hope that this will mean we can have access to a lot more technical support in the very near future.

I don't know what part of the country you live in but talk to your section, most of them seem quite active and I would be surprised if a month goes by (even over the winter) when nothing takes place. Get to know the people they can be a lifeline when things look black (it won't B"@~!!@@y well fit). If you want to chat feel free to send a private message. and we can then chat by e-mail. Do bare in mind I know nearly nothing about the Long 4 other than a yellow one owned by the late Roy Flower starred in the film "One of our dinasours is missing" and I have a picture here at home of the second batch of Long 4's destined to go to the Metropolitan Police in the late 20's?. Anyway enough already. Other than to say spread the word with your mates and show them the fun and pleasure in repairing and restoring some serious engineering from a former time.

[Keith Andrews]

Where are you young guns?

We all are m8...a few wrinkles and a couple ear hairs doesnt always make a person old.
Our toys just get bigger....because we can afford them now.

If all our eggs are in the 55-65 basket (not casket or basket case before anyone takes offence) then in the next 20 years or so there will be an awful lot of cheap Jowetts on the market

That got me thinking....how old where we all when we got into Jowett?
And Why?

I was in my 40s,
And why?

my dad passed ...... for about the past 8 years his long 7

Similar, again my parents had a Bradford, I personally cant remeber it, too young, but I do remember the laundry business ....and always had this photo in an old album..
Circa 1949 to 1952 Mt Ruapahu
My Parents Bradford, My Mother in the Cab.


Like hot rodding, another area where memberships dropped, new guys are coming in, slowly, beacuse their Dad had one...Younger we all went for our fast boy racer stuff, be it a mark1 Zepher or a Camaro, as we get older, nostaga kicks in...
I see no reason for this to stop...IF clubs get out their with public displays, to show these cars are still around, talk to the people...And have someone in the Club, like we have in NZ, Alan Stanley to follow up, source cars for those interested.

next 20 years or so there will be an awful lot of cheap Jowetts on the market.

In the long term I think private cars will reduce, as many go into private and musem collections...this will increase the value, and investment potentual.
It will be the investment potentual into private collections that will have a greater effect on JCC membership.

Clubs have to get out there, and be seen, static displays., and talk to the people...Sourcing a car is the biggest intimidating hurdle for new comers...they need the active follow up support.

[Tim Neville]

Good luck with your project. You are not completely alone in your age bracket, my 16 year old son is getting to grips with my Javelin.
It is going to be the energy and activity both practically and socially of people like you that will keep JCC alive in the future. All the younger people must get together and get active doing their own thing.

[Alastair Gregg]

Looking at your locations Ben and Alan are not millions of miles apart particularly when they pass their tests.

And have someone in the Club, like we have in NZ, Alan Stanley to follow up, source cars for those interested.

That seems a cracking idea. I don't know if its up and running here in the UK other than when I went looking for boxes of bits (My Jupiter) I rang Ed Nankivell and he took oodles of time chatting to me finding out about my technical competence (or lack of it) and then suggesting cars that might suit both my pocket patience and competence. Is that something thats out there Bradford Javelin and Pre war folks. Do the relevent registrars keep a note of whats available if not as the Gallery is private to club members could we not have a for Sale section?

Keith I agree about getting out and about and being seen. That is a must.

But am not so sure on relying on Nostalgia (Its not like it used to be you know) kicking in, if you are wrong and we do nothing then my earlier comment will stand. I don't know how you prove it, but I'd rather err on the side of getting too much interest in the marque than just waiting and seeing (to use a Jowett term).

[AlanBartlett]

Here are a few pics of my dads Seven past and present http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/4406 ... 137uk9.jpg

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/7418 ... 935fu1.jpg

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/2854/3004071613lx7.jpg

[Alastair Gregg]

Brilliant period photos. In the latest picture she looks ready to roll. Are you able to get a lift up to the Rally at the end of May. You may find other owners may be able to help you crack problems and you could save many hours by just seeing how its done (looking at another members car).

[AlanBartlett]

Yeah me and my mum are all booked up and ready to go to the national, that last photo is good but just need to put the engine back in and test it , still loads more to be done on her, just recently finished the electrics, just starting on lubrication to the chassis apart from that the engine Ive also cleaned and with the help of Geoff Wills setup mostly ready to go.

[Alastair Gregg]

Thats the trouble with old cars (and the fun) there's always loads to do.

Glad to hear you are coming up t'North, I shall get out me flat cap and whippets once I've downed a few black puddings. Seriously come and find me probably won't be too far away from HKY 770 a dark green SA, which with everying crossed should be there.

[AlanBartlett]

I will do that (write it on my hand so I dont forget) So how long have you owned your car then?

[Alastair Gregg]

I bought her in September 06. Kids are growing up and as Keith rightly says as we get older we can indulge ourselves a bit. If you check out my web site www.thegreggsplace.co.uk you can see what has been occuring. Click on the large B and W picture of the car and it takes you through the pain grief and excitment of the last few months.

[Keith Andrews]

But am not so sure on relying on Nostalgia (Its not like it used to be you know) kicking in,

Serious Rodding kicked in in the 50s 60s...strong in 70s 80s, then dropped off as the young guys went to boy racer stuff, now, because their Dads messed around with them, and they are older now, they are going that way...and memberships are slowly growing with the 30 yr old generation.
But to 'pull them in' they need the intial 'taste' thats where the club events come in, and hi profile car shows/displays etc...
The club has to be 1st alive, to live...if it is not it will die.
No work no gain...

Then the follow up by someone who is passionate, knowledgable, knows what car is where, and not pushy, just shows them how and where to get the car, even introducing them to ppl months yrs later....stay in contact.
Alan is a natural in NZ...and what he is/has achieved little by little with his magic wand over resent yrs is small in roads but quite amazing...

He is the man to talk to on the subject.