Marque: Jensen - Company History & Models - Cars By Brand
Jensen
The Jensen brothers Allan and Richard were involved in vehicle bodywork building from the 1920s. During the 1930s, under the name of Jensen Motors Ltd. name, they produced a wide range of car bodies for some of the major motor manufacturers of the time - including Morris, Singer, Standard and Wolseley.
Attention was then turned to building cars bearing their own name, the first (in 1935)…
Jensen Interceptor/FF
PRICE: Saloon: £3000 - £12,000+; FF: £8000 -£25,000; Convertible: £12,000 - £30,000
View full reviewFast Facts
- Produced:
1966-72 - Bodywork:
Two-door fixed-head, saloon, two-door convertible - Engine:
Overhead valve, V8 1966-68: 6276cc, 325bhp; 1968-72: 6276cc, 330bhp; 1972-76: 7212cc, 287bhp net (SP, 330bhp) - 0-60 mph:
6276cc, 7 sec; 7212cc, 7+ sec (SP, 6.5+ sec) - Top Speed:
6276cc, 135+ mph; 7212cc, 125+ mph (SP, 145 mph) - MPG:
12-16
Surely one of the most eye catching GTs of all time and now one of the most under- valued, the Interceptor has it all - and at absurdly low prices. Replacing the C-V8 in 1966, it feat u r e d the same engine as its predecessor. By contrast with earlier Jensens, the new model had steel bodywork, styled by Touring of Milan. A separate tubular construction chassis was employ e d . The technically sophisticated FF version was equipped with Ferguson Formula four-wheel drive system, together with the Dunlop Maxaret anti-skid brake system. Desirable rag top Interceptors arrived in 1974, and late in 1975 another new variant was the fixedhead coupe. The Interceptor was ditched in 1976 (limited production recommenced in the ‘ 80s). Fine cars that are cracking value but with so many bangers about you need to take care what you buy…
Jensen 541
PRICE: £ 3000 - £ 12,000
Fast Facts
- Produced:
1953-62 - Bodywork:
Two-door fixed-head saloon - Engine:
Overhead valve, straight six-cylinder 3993cc, 130bhp (541R, 140bhp; 541S, 135bhp) - 0-60 mph:
541, 12 sec; 541R, 10.5+ sec; 541S (auto), 12+ sec - Top Speed:
541, 110+ mph; 541R, 125+ mph; 541S (auto), 110 mph - MPG:
15-20+
Revered but sadly now rarely encountered, the 541 remains a superb grand tourer and incorporat e s f e atures which advanced for the early 1950s - such as the use of glass fibre bodywork, also all round disc brakes. Jensen’s innovative new 541 saloon f e atured a tube/box section chassis, clothed in glass fibre bodywork. Under the bonnet was Austin’s reliable and lusty 4-litre engine. The de luxe version (from 1956) had more pow e r, plus disc brakes all round, and overdrive transmission.The 541R of 1957 was p owered by Austin’s twin carburettor, DS7 type 4-litre engine, and featured a rack and pinion steering system. The l ater 541S was wider than its predecessors, and provided more head room within a revamped interior.
