From the Classifieds: Jensen Interceptor

Cramming a brutal American V8 into a refined British sportscar is a thought that has occurred only occasionally to carmakers – initiated from either side of the Atlantic – but such fantasies have often resulted in an almost-holy alliance.

Carroll Shelby’s Anglo-American V8 Cobra, built off a relatively puny six-cylinder open sportscar from the British car-maker AC in the 1960s, is a good example.

Another is the Jensen Interceptor. In the 1960s, the luxury British 2+2 GT coupe borrowed a thumping, 6.3-litre Chrysler V8 to deal with any weight issues that may have inhibited it on the open road and created an eminently notable car as a result.

With its weighty, Italian-designed coupe body featuring an enormous wrap around rear window that operated as a hatch giving access to the load area, the Jensen Interceptor was a solid presence on the road more notable for its ability to accelerate than swiftly negotiate tight corners.

Passengers were truly cosseted in a sumptuous, very British, leather interior with power steering, power windows, reclining front seats, wood-rimmed steering wheel, two speaker radio (often with eight-track tape-player) and reversing lights.

The 246kW V8 had enough mastery over the Interceptor’s 1.6 tonnes to allow it to reach 100km/h in around 7.5 seconds, while covering the standing 400 metres in a little over 14 seconds. Not blindingly fast today, but pretty quick for a sumptuous GT coupe in 1971.

The standard transmission was a three-speed Chrysler TorqueFlite automatic, driving rear wheels which were suspended on a simple, live rear axle. A limited-slip differential apportioned the power evenly.

The Mark II version came in 1969, featuring a minor styling refresh and adopted ventilated disc brakes, to be replaced in late 1971 with the Mark II model that crammed a larger-capacity 7.2-litre Chrysler engine under the bonnet. The power-weight ratio jumped, although Interceptor enthusiasts say the bigger engine came with a few problems, including a tendency to overheat.

From 1966 to 1971 Jensen also built an all-wheel drive FF model – with anti-lock brakes -- using a system developed by British specialist Ferguson and beating Audi’s Quattro coupe into production by around 14 years.

Not surprisingly, the Jensen Interceptor, in 1976 Series III form, had its days of TV glory. It was the chosen mount of Simon Templar (AKA: The Saint) in a series that went to air in the late 1980s.

Today, the nicely-styled British car is a relatively affordable proposition on the used-car market. Understandably not many appear for sale, and when they do, prices can vary quite a bit. Asking prices can be as low as $20,000, or, in this case, as much as $48,000 for this 1971 Mark II model from Alice Springs.

Justification comes in the fact that the car is in basically original form, showing 116,000km on the odometer and supported by a “detailed history” including manuals and service receipts. All the original tools, including the jack, are still on board. Although new wheels and Pirelli tyres have been fitted, all the original wheels and tyres are included in the price. The interior features new Wilton carpets complementing the standard Connolly leather.

The owner, who bought the car about four years ago, had been looking for an Interceptor for more than two years before he found one that met his criteria. He developed a love for the Interceptor based on a car owned by an ex-employer in New Zealand many years ago.

He says the car is always garaged and is only used on an occasional, pleasurable jaunt. A shortfall is that the Interceptor is not offered with a roadworthy certificate.