Vehicle Description
1974 Jensen Interceptor
The Jensen Interceptor is a grand touring car which was hand-built
at the Kelvin Way Factory in West Bromwich, near Birmingham in
England, by Jensen Motors between 1966 and 1976. The Interceptor
name had been used previously by Jensen for the Jensen Interceptor
made between 1950 and 1957 at the Carters Green factory. Jensen had
extensively used glass-reinforced plastic for the fabrication of
body panels in the preceding two decades, but the new Interceptor
saw a return to a steel body-shell. The body was designed by an
outside firm, Carrozzeria Touring of Italy, rather than the
in-house staff.
For consignment we have one of only 4,225 Mk 3 units built between
August of 1971 and December of 1976. A 2-owner car with a
documented mere 34,732 miles. Front seats covered in Connelly
Leather, and new Wilton carpeting throughout, with the rear
compartment retaining its factory carpeting. Also new Harrington
polished stainless bumpers and overriders and bathed in triple
blue, truly a rare bird and look to take flight to your
driveway.
Exterior
This car takes the pony concept, (long front and short rear with 2
doors), to its limits courtesy designer Vignale, with the long
bonnet which is vented, and sports the Nordic wing badge. The rear
glass that is curved downward and wrapping the back B pillars in
greenhouse glass form, the lines on this sports car are just
beautiful and pretty much unchanged since its inception. Dual
headlights and horizontal ribs make up the grille and a stainless
polished bumper is below. On the front quarters is an angled side
vent, and the stainless richer trim below which runs between the
wheel wells. The slightly sloping roof is covered in blue vinyl and
has chromed drip edges, chromed window surrounds, chromed side view
mirrors and of course chromed inset door handles. Gaps are nicely
minded, and this model is made from all steel. It is painted in a
triple blue respray to match as it was delivered from the factory.
Of course, the "glasshouse" boot lid on the back reveals 12 cubic
feet of storage, and more if you remove a few knurled nuts and the
rear parcel shelf which can accommodate a full size suitcase. A
gracefully rounded over rear under the glass shows the tail
lighting license holder and another stainless steel highly polished
bumper below. Five spoke alloy wheels are wrapped in nicely treaded
Michelins and are held on with 5 lugs.
Interior
Wide doors which have been recently fitted with new seals, have
automatic red warning lights on their rear edges when open, their
quarter lights are fixed. Their main windows moved rapidly by
electricity only when the ignition is on, the passenger door can be
locked electrically and remotely by a switch on the driver's door,
though there is an overriding manual lock too. Six separate
Connolly leather hides are used in each Interceptor, boasts Jensen,
and they're certainly put to good and beautiful use. The front
seats are exquisitely comfortable, have reclining back-rests and
built-in headrests, each with a blue leather covered cushion
attached by Velcro and have map-pockets in their rears. Rear seats
are deeply and separately shaped, split by a wide armrest
containing two ash-trays and continue on with the front console.
There is not a lot of legroom when front bucket seats are in normal
driving position, however the rear seats are luxuriously
comfortable. As the blue padded leather console moves towards the
dash where it houses the shift lever, and then gently ascends
towards the dash where the climate knobs, stereo with 8 track
player and various toggles reside. Above on the dash fascia are a
series of eyeball vents to direct air anywhere in the cabin and a
centrally located clock with some extra gauges above, all aimed at
the driver's vision. The panel that these are inserted within,
changes to black and continues with the instrument cluster where
large round gauges (speedo and tach) are mounted with some warning
lighting. A wood rimmed steering wheel with 3 drilled stainless
spokes and the J badge front this beautifully preserved dash. Black
Wilton carpeting covers the floors, and above is a horizontally
ribbed slightly padded white headliner.
Drivetrain
A forward rising of the bonnet reveals Chrysler 440ci V8 which
codes out as a factory provided engine. On top is a 4-barrel
carburetor, and on back throwing power towards the 3.07 axle is an
A727 Torqueflite transmission in 3-speed automatic form. All
looking very nice under this vented bonnet.
Undercarriage
The care of this car can be summed up in one visual cue, that being
the condition of the alloy wheel spare. Any spare tire that has
spent this much time below exposed to the elements would be in a
much lesser condition, but this spare wheel is pristine, so it has
not been in too many adverse element conditions! All the rest is
neatly undercoated and rust free. Independent coil springs and leaf
springs make up the suspension, and power disc brakes are on all 4
corners. Consigner states the petrol tank has been cleaned and
etched.
Drive-Ability
This car fired right up and wanted to be unleashed, so we took the
collar off and on the test track it was impressive. Great handling,
snappy acceleration, and smooth auto trans shifting. It had a neat
sound from the dual cherrybomb muffler exhaust. All functions
including ice cold A/C were working to my satisfaction. Bully!
After more than seven years, the almost futuristic Vignale body
style is almost undated and the Jensen Interceptor remains the
epitome of the high-speed executive express. This hand-built West
Bromwich product rivals that product from Crewe in terms of comfort
and silence, is more relaxing to drive because it is more compact
and has far more precise handling and is faster. "'What more could
a man require who doesn't want an out-and-out sports car, but wants
something more individual that an XJ12"? Cheerio!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.