Jensen Interceptor Series III, 1975
Jensen Interceptor I
Jensen Interceptor I•
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Chassis No.: 1035
Engine No.: 4C13294
Registration: LGP 65P
- Full restoration recently carried at a cost of circa £140,000
- New mohair hood and leather interior
- Engine rebuilt
- Full restoration recently carried at a cost of circa £140,000
- New mohair hood and leather interior
- Engine rebuilt
Shown at the October 1966 Earls Court Motor Show alongside the technically advanced four-wheel drive FF, the Touring of Milan designed Interceptor was quite a sensation and received much praise. The fact Jensen had in the space of a year produced two completely new models was also outstanding, particularly as the two companies involved in the project were 680 miles apart. The original design penned by Touring of Milan was taken to Vignale of Turin who had the capability to produce the car in much higher numbers than Touring. Fully trimmed and painted bodyshells were delivered from Italy for assembly at West Bromwich by October 1966.
Both new cars had the 330bhp Chrysler 383ci (6276cc) V8 engine and Torqueflite three speed automatic gearbox as fitted to the previous C-V8 and shared body panels from the front A-pillars back, the chassis of each car were however quite different. The original cars built by Vignale in Italy required much work inside and out to meet the quality standard required by Jensen, eventually the contract was terminated and Jensen started producing the cars themselves at West Bromwich. For the October 1969 Motor Show a Mk. II version of the Interceptor and FF were displayed.
Changes to the rear lights having a larger flatter area and no chrome trim, new slimmer bumpers and flatter overriders were amongst the many improvements that were introduced, the largest being a completely new interior. With the introduction of the SP, the Interceptor gained the same interior and exterior treatment becoming the Interceptor Mk. III. The GKN alloys and brakes were also added and the culmination of so many small details gave the whole car a fresher, more modern look compared with the previous models.
This absolutely fantastic example has just undergone a comprehensive restoration at an eyewatering cost of circa £140,000! This is a matching numbers original right hand drive car which according to the Statement of Origin, left the factory in Magenta paintwork with magnolia/cream interior in 1975. However, as part of the restoration, the car was bare metal resprayed in metallic claret and the interior has been totally renewed using eight hides to create the sumptuous cream leather interior with claret piping and the Jensen logo embroidered into the driver and passenger seats which look fantastic.
The dashboard is burr walnut, which looks amazing and complements the rest of the interior so well, including new carpets front, rear and in the boot. The engine was fully rebuilt, including the fitting of aluminium high flow cylinder heads, new high flow inlet manifold, new Edelbrock carbs, new sports exhaust system fitted (original will be sold with the car). The rear axle was refurbished as well as the differential and the original crown wheel and pinion. The gearbox has also been professionally rebuilt by a specialist and a new air conditioning unit has also been fitted. Its electrically operated mohair hood is new, at a cost of £9,000 and looks wonderful.
Summing up, this is essentially a brand-new Jensen Interceptor Series III Convertible which looks stunning, smells of a new car inside, exuding opulence and luxury with superb performance to match from its 7.2 litre engine. Find another one – as they say! Consigned by James Good
