From The Classifieds: Jensen Interceptor Convertible

By the mid-1960s Jensen was in need of a substantial product update to remain relevant. Its C-V8 was suavely styled and beautifully crafted, but cheaper, more modern competition was leaving it behind.

Struggling for money, Jensen decided to re-clothe the C-V8 rather than invest in a new chassis. Besides, much of the development budget was soaked up in partnership with Ferguson, to utilise its ground-breaking four-wheel drive layout and Dunlop anti-lock braking system in a passenger car.

The fruits of these labours were shown at the Earl’s Court Motor Show of 1966. Called the Interceptor, Jensen’s latest was styled by Italian coachbuilders Touring, and initially prepared by Vignale in Turin before final assembly in England.

It retained the 246kW, 383 cubic-inch (6.3-litre) Chrysler-sourced V8 and three-speed automatic transmission, with the option of a four-speed manual finding favour in only 24 examples.

Alongside the Interceptor on the stand was the similarly-bodied but larger FF, the four-wheel drive variant which cost around 40 per cent more than the standard rear-driver.

Over a ten-year production run the Interceptor evolved over three ‘Marks’, the final Mark III being the most plentiful with 4255 produced (all versions) between 1971 and 1976. An attempt to reproduce the model commenced in 1983 with modernised equipment, though it’s believed only 15 were built to 1993.

The subject of this feature, the convertible, was only available Mark III form. Built from 1974-1976, there is some conjecture about actual convertible numbers, but the Jensen Owner’s Club of Britain states 467, with around 80 per cent being left-hand drive.

Conceived to compete with the likes of the Rolls-Royce Corniche on the American market, the Interceptor convertible celebrity owners included Frank Sinatra and saucy author Harold Robbins.

By this stage the Interceptor’s engine had grown to 440ci (7.2-litres) in an attempt to maintain power outputs in the face of tightening emissions standards. The larger engine produced less power (224kW) yet still used around 25L/100km at a cruise; partly explaining the Interceptor’s relative scarcity…

Owned for the last 26 years by a foundation member of the Jensen Owner’s Club of Australia, this Signal Red (not an original colour) Interceptor convertible benefits from a recent engine rebuild/upgrade and a swag of tweaks designed to bring greater usability and reliability, including the fitment of a four-speed automatic transmission and aluminium heads.

Noting that ‘all usual Jensen and Lucas electrical issues have been addressed’, the owner states the interior has been trimmed in ‘Bridge of Weir’ leather (including the dash) and fitted with new air-conditioning components; a new black soft-top is also installed. Riding on 18-inch wheels with modern tyres and shocks, this is clearly a car which has been rebuilt with regular exercise in mind.

Priced at $95,000, this charismatic Jensen is offered with a Victorian Roadworthy Certificate but registration expired in April 2013. It is strong money (the current international market suggests $65,000-$80,000), but given its condition and extreme rarity in Australia it could be worth consideration for a collector.