Jawa Classic Cars for Sale

Founded in Prague, Czechoslovakia, in 1929 by Frantisek Janecek, Jawa later became one of the success stories of the Eastern Bloc countries of the Cold War era, manufacturing their simple but stylish motorcycles that proved to be championship winning machines on the speedway circuit.

Jawa In The Beginning

When Frantisek Janecek decided to open a motorcycle company, he purchased the struggling German brand, Wanderer, and created Jawa, complete with a new burgundy and chrome badge designed like the rays of the sun. The first model to be manufactured was a 500cc four-cycle engine that boasted a 12KW (18hp) capacity. The motorcycle was considered to be expensive, but it was so reliable that it gave the company their first success. With a universal economic decline in the 1930's, Jawa sought to manufacture sensibly and introduced a range of cheaper models, which unexpectedly caught the attention of the public. In 1932, the Jawa 175 was unveiled. The engine had a capacity of 3.6KW and could reach 80km/h using just 3.5 litres of fuel every 100km, making it an economic mode of transport. Lightweight and easy to handle, it sold thousands in its first year, remaining in production until 1946. Jawa had a good marketing technique, offering free rides at a Motorcycle Show in 1938 on a specially adapted Jawa 175 and sales consequently went up to 27,000.

Jawa Post-War Success

Jawa relaunched after World War II with the 350 Ogar, but their best success was yet to come. The 1950's saw a host of models introduced including the Jawetta mopeds, the 50 Pionyr, the 500 OHC and the 250/350 (model no353/354). The Jawa 250/350 had a small but powerful two stroke engine and was exported to more than a hundred countries, making it one of their most successful models. By 1964, Jawa were producing their millionth motorcycle, amidst venturing into the speedway circuit. Even more models were manufactured in the 1960's with the 350 Automatic, the 350 Californian and the 50 Mustang (type 23) amongst them.

Jawa Speedway Success

Jawa's production reached an impressive two million with the help of the 350 Bizon and 350 (Type 634). Their lightweight motorcycles, were ideal for the rugged terrain of speedway and motocross and their four stroke engine gave riders a distinct advantage, culminating in numerous Championship victories. Their mopeds had two stroke engines and the Babetta, featuring an innovative electronic ignition, became one of the most popular. The 1990's produced the 125 Dandy, 125 Travel 350 (Type 640) and the 250 (Type 593). In recent years, with sales of more than three million, Java have produced many retro models such as the 650 Rotex Classic, Style and Dakar.