Reviews From 1985

The JBA Javelin is the latest product from JBA Engineering who have established themselves as one of the leading companies in the kit car industry through their excellent Falcon.  The same thoroughness has been brought to bear on their new product.  

The JBA Javelin is a two door, four seat, targa top convertible based on the Ford Capri Mk ll.  It has been produced to meet the needs of the enthusiast who not only requires the additional space available in a four seater car, but also wants a car whose looks and quality are easily comparable with those of luxury production cars.  

On researching the project, JBA found that certain points needed to be highlighted in their product.  They are safety, looks, ease of building, handling ability, low cost of build up resale value and maximum use of donor vehicle parts.  These points have been incorporated into the design of both the body and the chassis.

The demand for a superior four-seater convertible has been met by the development of the JBA Javelin, of a quality unparalleled in the component car industry.  The impeccable sleek styling of the body and spacious interior give the Javelin the air of distinction, typical of luxury cars.  

The imaginative roof configuration allows various options to the occupants.  Nearside and offside roof panels are quickly and simply removable, and at the rear, the  hood folds away to give all the excitement of open air motoring, whilst security and protection are still provided by incorporating a steel roll cage within the remaining "T" section.  

Despite the Javelin's impressiveness, once the kit has been purchased, the cost of completion is minimal, engineering ingenuity has  been used to ensure that all major components of the base vehicle may be utilized.

CHASSIS/BODY FRAME

Comprises immensely strong tubular steel structure which totally surrounds the vehicle occupants and offers superb crash protection, front, rear, side and roll-over.  Extensions from this structure support the front suspension assembly and rear axle.  Steel inner wings, bulkhead and deep section tunnel add additional strength to this already adequate structure.  Each chassis is manufactured on purpose-built, close tolerance jigs which ensure high accuracy and maximum compatibility with the Ford mechanics.  Chassis points or location of mechanical components are pre-drilled and bushed.

COACH WORK/INTERIOR

The body is one-piece glass reinforced plastic (G.R.P.) shell as are the bonnet and boot lid.  The body has been designed so that the running gear can be installed into the chassis before the body has to be fitted, which adds immensely to the ease of the build up.  Interior trim panels, seats and dash etc. are re-usable from the base vehicle.  The large boot gives maximum 16cu.ft. of storage space and more than double this amount can be made available by folding the rear seats forward. (The rear seats can be folded individually).  For summer motoring the roof panels can be removed with ease.

MECHANICS
Capri Mk ll and Mk lll mechanical parts are suitable for the JBA Javelin thus giving the owner of the choice of fitting various engine sizes with the appropriate gearbox and axle.

TECHNICAL DATA                    Inches             mm 
Length                                             174                  4420
Width                                                78                  1854
Height                                                63                  1346
Track
Front                                                53.3                 1359
Rear                                                 54.5                 1384
Wheel Base                                    100.9                 2563
Ground Clear                                     6.5                   165
                                             

The JBA Javelin was in production from 1985 until 1989. JBA Engineering Ltd., received their last order on 7/06/1989. The Kit was supplied soon after that date.

Capri Club Scotland Stand Dalmeny 17th. July 2000.

The Photos are of the first Javelin built by JBA. The car was owned by Kim Hollings after it had served its time as the JBA Factory demonstrator and was purchased by Alex Sargent from Dunbar in Scotland, earlier this year 2000.

There will be more pages about the Javelin shortly. Click Here for the next page.

I myself know nothing about the Javelin, but the contributors mentioned below have started this page off. I am very pleased to add this page to the site, as it is a JBA Information site. Thankyou for your efforts, I can't do it without you.