Napoleon the Jupiter (and a modern one too...)

Post pictures and stories about your cars both present and past. Also post up "blogs" on your restoration projects - the more pictures the better! Note: blog-type threads often get few replies, but are often read by many members, and provide interest and motivation to other enthusiasts so don't be disappointed if you don't get many replies.
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Amy
Posts: 56
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:08 pm
Location: Herts

Napoleon the Jupiter (and a modern one too...)

#1 Post by Amy » Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:21 pm

Well, having been rather busy with non-car stuff for most of 2011, I totally missed the PC forum debacle, and this one coming into being... still, now that I've been tipped off, and am hopefully going to have a bit more time for life involving cars, I thought I should probably say hello :)

My name is Amy, and I seem to have something of a 'thing' for BRG RWD sports cars...

My first was acquired for me in 1979 by my dad, and is now back on the road following something of a labour of love restoration involving lots of long, cold nights. Meet Napoleon the Jupiter:

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Napoleon (so-called because his mate is Josephine the Jupiter) is a 1954 Jowett Jupiter SC. We think he was probably about the third to last car off the production line at the Jowett factory. We started the restoration in earnest in July 2009, got him on the road and MoT'd for May last year, and then went on to win Classic Car of the Year, so Napoleon has something of a history! After a winter tucked up in the garage, I got him out last weekend for Softop Sunday at Goodwood. This is the state he was in in the mid-1980s, and how he stayed until pretty much July 2009:

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My other baby is my 1990 Mk1 Mazda Eunos Roadster (MX5, Japanese import). I've only had her since August last year, but she's bloody good fun to drive:

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Here are the both of them at Goodwood last week:

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We'll be out and about at various events this year in one or both cars so may well see some of you - do come and say hello if you see us :)

Amy.
Daily Driver: 1990 Mk1 Mazda Eunos Roadster, BRG
Cherished: 1954 Jowett Jupiter SC
Random bus: 1980 Bedford CF 2.3

All loved and driven as often as possible!

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JPB
Posts: 10319
Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 3:24 pm

Re: Napoleon the Jupiter (and a modern one too...)

#2 Post by JPB » Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:48 pm

:mrgreen: Yay! The internet cannot have too many Jowetts.

As for the MX5, well I'm finding myself increasingly drawn to their cute styling coupled with Japanese reliability, and the automatic version's not too bad at all from what I've been able to discover. So, one of these days.....
Yes, I really am that easy to sell cars to. ;)
J
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true.. :oops:

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Amy
Posts: 56
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:08 pm
Location: Herts

Re: Napoleon the Jupiter (and a modern one too...)

#3 Post by Amy » Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:59 pm

JPB wrote::mrgreen: Yay! The internet cannot have too many Jowetts.
Aw, thanks :) And I shall take that as carte blanche to decorate the pages of the forum with piccies at every chance I have ;)
As for the MX5, well I'm finding myself increasingly drawn to their cute styling coupled with Japanese reliability, and the automatic version's not too bad at all from what I've been able to discover. So, one of these days.....
Yes, I really am that easy to sell cars to. ;)
Mine is the auto version and it's actually really good, especially considering it's a 1990 box. It's definitely geared as a sportscar rather than as a motorway cruiser - it's stupidly quick to downshift, and will merrily keep in low gear til you're nearly redlining. I have to say I was rather pleasantly surprised the first time I drove her. So go on, you know you want to ;) And they're cheap as chips...
Daily Driver: 1990 Mk1 Mazda Eunos Roadster, BRG
Cherished: 1954 Jowett Jupiter SC
Random bus: 1980 Bedford CF 2.3

All loved and driven as often as possible!

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Grumpy Northener
Posts: 1637
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 8:26 am
Location: Hampshire UK

Re: Napoleon the Jupiter (and a modern one too...)

#4 Post by Grumpy Northener » Sun Apr 10, 2011 10:11 pm

That paint on your Jupiter - was that really painted last year ? - I'd say looking at those pics that the paint is at least 30 years old - and I know what I'm talking about when it comes to paint.
1937 Jowett 8 - Project - in less pieces than the Jupiter
1943 Jowett Stationary Engine
1952 Jowett Jupiter - In lots of peices http://Jowett.org/
1952 Jowett Javelin - Largely original
1973 Rover P6 V8 - Original / 22,000 miles

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JPB
Posts: 10319
Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 3:24 pm

Re: Napoleon the Jupiter (and a modern one too...)

#5 Post by JPB » Sun Apr 10, 2011 10:30 pm

Amy wrote:......Mine is the auto version and it's actually really good, especially considering it's a 1990 box. It's definitely geared as a sportscar rather than as a motorway cruiser - it's stupidly quick to downshift, and will merrily keep in low gear til you're nearly redlining. I have to say I was rather pleasantly surprised the first time I drove her. So go on, you know you want to ;) And they're cheap as chips...
Well that's done nothing to put me off this latest automotive crush. I did actually go to see an auto locally a couple of weeks ago which was up on eBay as a classified, but by the time I got there, the previous person to see it had bought it outright, at the full asking price. Oh well. :(
J
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true.. :oops:

Aar0sc
Posts: 272
Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 9:16 pm

Re: Napoleon the Jupiter (and a modern one too...)

#6 Post by Aar0sc » Sun Apr 10, 2011 10:39 pm

Dang, can't believe I missed your Jupiter at Soft Top Sunday!

Must also say that you've been missed on YGC :(
1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500; 1974 Jaguar E-Type OTS V12

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Amy
Posts: 56
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:08 pm
Location: Herts

Re: Napoleon the Jupiter (and a modern one too...)

#7 Post by Amy » Sun Apr 10, 2011 10:51 pm

Grumpy Northener wrote:That paint on your Jupiter - was that really painted last year ? - I'd say looking at those pics that the paint is at least 30 years old - and I know what I'm talking about when it comes to paint.
:roll: You know very well how old the paint was, and when it was painted, what temperature it was, and where exactly the dust from the workshop got into the various coats... and that you've got me paying waaaaaay too much attention to paint and bodywork. Bloody northerners ;)

(Don't worry everyone, I'm not just having go at a random person I don't know - Mr Grumpy Northerner is Team SC's bodywork expert and it's thanks to him that Napoleon looks quite so beautiful).
Daily Driver: 1990 Mk1 Mazda Eunos Roadster, BRG
Cherished: 1954 Jowett Jupiter SC
Random bus: 1980 Bedford CF 2.3

All loved and driven as often as possible!

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Amy
Posts: 56
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:08 pm
Location: Herts

Re: Napoleon the Jupiter (and a modern one too...)

#8 Post by Amy » Sun Apr 10, 2011 10:54 pm

JPB wrote:Well that's done nothing to put me off this latest automotive crush. I did actually go to see an auto locally a couple of weeks ago which was up on eBay as a classified, but by the time I got there, the previous person to see it had bought it outright, at the full asking price. Oh well. :(
If you're seriously interested, have a peek at MX5Nutz and MX5OC forums - both MX5 clubs and you'll get a decent motor off either of them as they're people who care about the cars. I got mine off an owner's club member, found it through the forum. You can pick up an OK Mk1 for around a grand, and a really quite decent one for £1500 ish. As I say, bargains.

Don't know where you're based, but you'd be welcome to come and have a look round mine if you like :)
Daily Driver: 1990 Mk1 Mazda Eunos Roadster, BRG
Cherished: 1954 Jowett Jupiter SC
Random bus: 1980 Bedford CF 2.3

All loved and driven as often as possible!

User avatar
Amy
Posts: 56
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:08 pm
Location: Herts

Re: Napoleon the Jupiter (and a modern one too...)

#9 Post by Amy » Sun Apr 10, 2011 10:56 pm

Aar0sc wrote:Dang, can't believe I missed your Jupiter at Soft Top Sunday!

Must also say that you've been missed on YGC :(
Aw, thanks Aaron. All been a bit mad over here though, barely had time to check emails, much less post on car forums :cry:

Anyhoo, both the Jupe and the 5 will be on various outings now. We're booked to do the Silverstone Classic in July in the Jupe, and camping in our Bedford. Also, Jowett rally at Daventry at the end of May with the GP100 event at Gaydon the same weekend.
Daily Driver: 1990 Mk1 Mazda Eunos Roadster, BRG
Cherished: 1954 Jowett Jupiter SC
Random bus: 1980 Bedford CF 2.3

All loved and driven as often as possible!

hillmanimpman
Posts: 123
Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 3:26 pm

Re: Napoleon the Jupiter (and a modern one too...)

#10 Post by hillmanimpman » Mon Apr 11, 2011 6:03 am

my friend got a jowett jupiter which he is restoring i get some pics it was in the Classic cars mag in 2005 or 2004 in a garden (near brooklands)there was a pair but he could only afford one :( . got to say that they are great cars tho when there done nice like yours i been help strip the paint off my friends taking ages thanks to so many different colours.

as for the MX5 i wouldn't mind one getting one for summer but then it hard to, because then i get stuck in between MGF or midget or MX5. the other convertible i like is a Fiat X1/9 but there not cheap anymore, soft top motoring i love it :)
1976 Morris Marina
1975 Austin Allegrohttp://austinallegro.forumotion.co.uk/
1972 Ford Escort Mk1 1100L needs work
1971 Hillman Imp Van,moving very slowly
1956 James Cadet 175cc http://www.famousjamesmotorcycleclub@webs.com

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