1951 Jowett Jupiter

This delightful Rosso Italia Jowett Jupiter was fully restored between 2003 and 2008. Recently recommissioned with new brakes and a hood in addition to a full service at a cost of £4,500, it comes with a fulsome and documented history.

It is being sold by the vendor on behalf of a client whose ill health has prevented him using it for the past four years. 

And, the vendor is ideally placed to do so, being the only Jowett restorer in Europe and a member of the Jowett Car Club committee, which means it’s probably fair to say he knows his stuff – and given the owner has owned this one for 20 years, it’s equally fair to say he knows this car like the back of his hand. 

So, when he describes ‘KBT 696’ as “a very good car” being “rot free” and while “not concours isn’t far off” (did we mention that he runs the Jowett Car Club concours events, too?) he’s worth listening to.

He also agrees with us that this example, which we rate as being a solid 8.5/10, would be ideal for showing at everyman classic car shows in addition to whatever driving you see fit to use it for from gentle weekend meanderings to inter-continental tours and rallies.

This model is fully supported by the world’s oldest one make car club ‘Jowett Car Club’ with unrivalled access to spares and technical information.

Originally finished in Bronze Metallic, the Jupiter was resprayed a blue metallic during its time in India, the country it called home between 1955 and 1970. It returned to Knaresborough in Yorkshire in 1970, staying there until 2003 and being resprayed red during at some point.

Its mid-noughties restoration saw it resprayed in Rosso Italia, a Ferrari colour that suits it perfectly; after all, if you’re going to drive an aluminium-bodied sportscar then you might as well go all-in, eh?

There is, of course, no rust to worry about thanks to the aluminium construction, which just leaves panel fit and alignment and the paint to worry about. 

As you can see, all are excellent and the overall presentation is little short of stunning. So, no worries there.

That new roof fits well and looks great too, doesn’t it? As you’d expect, it rises and falls as it should and is supported by a very good metal frame.

Of course, as with a lot of cars of this period, the Jupiter looks better with it lowered but its presence gives you the flexibility to use the car without having to worry about being caught in a downpour.

The 16-inch Dunlop steel wheels are painted red and their colour is beautifully offset by chrome hubcaps. They look terrific and are fitted with 5.50-16 Avon H.M. Tourist tyres. These have good tread but the sidewalls are cracked with age, so you might like to consider replacing them.

The chromework is all good too, with a bright shine to the finish and minimal patination. The lamp lenses, window glass, and badges are also good – and don’t the huge ‘King of the Road’ headlights look terrific?

As for faults, other than the tyres there is a crack in the paint on the boot but that’s about it.

The Parchment hide interior is nothing short of sensational. Stuffed full of Easter eggs - have you seen the Philips ‘all transistor car portable’ radio that slots in and out of the dashboard? – it would be an utterly delightful place to while away a few hours on a summer beach run.

The leather bench seat is firm and plump and pretty much unmarked. In a fantastic condition, it sets the tone for the rest of the interior.

Which is made from real materials. Slabs of solid wood form the dashboard and miscellaneous trim and the hood frame comprises sturdy metal. High-quality leather and carpet swathe various bits of the cockpit including the base of the steering column, which isn’t something you see every day.

The pièce de résistance is probably is the ivory-coloured steering wheel and matching controls. Very of-the-period, they feel as wonderful in the hand as they look; rarely has art and form been so beautifully combined.

There’s a full suite of instrumentation too, including gauges that show battery charge, fuel level, oil pressure and temperature, and water temperature in addition to the usual rev counter, odometer, speedometer and clock. 

A metal plaque on the glovebox lid celebrates the three consecutive Le Mans class wins because, well, just because they could.

Modern speakers have been tucked away, so that cute-as-hell Philips radio has something to play through.

It’s in a first-class condition and we can’t see anything that would need your attention.

The engine bay is very nicely presented. Clearly well looked after in the years since its restoration, we are told the car runs and drives as it should following its recommissioning.

The underside is just as impressive and looks like it could weather the following two decades with the same imperturbability it’s done the previous seventy.

The Jupiter, which bears the chassis number 495 of only 940 built, comes with its original log book, a workshop manual, instruction booklets, club magazines, invoices, contact details of specialists and much more.

The Jowett doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies… 

Given only around 50% of all Jowett Jupiters ever built have survived, this is a very rare car – and it’s offered in a rare condition too, with that recent recommissioning building on the earlier restoration, a restoration that’s still holding up very well, even a decade and a half later.

This makes our guide price of somewhere between £25,000 and £35,000 seem like good value to us, and given this also unlocks the door to the only Jowett restorer in Europe – the other is in Los Angeles - your new car will be in safe hands when the time comes to get it serviced and repaired. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located in Baughurst, Hampshire. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.