Kept as part of a prestige private collection for many years
Stunning restored car - as clean underneath as on top!
THE APPEAL
Italian styling, a huge American V8 and British sophistication are three key ingredients with which you can make the perfect classic car – so that’s what Jensen did…
Styled by Vignale, powered by Chrysler and assembled in West Bromwich, a stone’s throw away from Jaguar’s HQ, the Jensen Interceptor was an intoxicating GT. As prestigious as an Aston Martin, as luxurious as a Jaguar and as stylish as a Lamborghini or Maserati, the 2+2 coupé carved a pretty special niche of its own, which saw over 6,400 Interceptors being constructed between 1966 and 1976 – a decent output for a hand-made low-volume manufacturer.
This one is a Mk 3, which was the final and most indulgent Interceptor of the lot – powered by a gargantuan 7.2-litre Chrysler V8, with a heavy-duty Torqueflite automatic transmission, it was a wonderful high-speed GT – and still is today.
It’s pretty special for a number of reasons. First, it’s a rare factory Duo-Tone model, chosen in white with a Royal Blue roof, and second, it’s in wonderful condition, restored to near concours condition by its previous owner.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
UK V5C
New MOT (despite being MOT and tax exempt)
Original factory build records
Pre-delivery inspection documents
63,990 miles, believed genuine based on MOT and invoice history
Bought in the late 1980s by a collector and a concours restoration was started but never finished, until acquired by its next owner in the mid-1990s.
It had already had over £10,000 spent having the body and chassis professionally stripped, repaired and repainted in the original white.
The next owner took over the project and spent a great deal of time and money getting it correct to the condition it was in when purchased by the vendor in 2022.
The car was kept in Southern France from 2002 until 2021, and was featured and used to carry the bride on hit French TV show Four Weddings and a Honeymoon
Repatriated in 2021 and sold as part of the vendor’s retirement collection
Overhauled by the vendor with a number of new parts including a complete carpet set, new Sundym windscreen, tyres, and various mechanical items outlines below
Comes with Jensen Certificate of Authenticity
Jensen workshop manual
Braking system workshop manual
Transmission system workshop manual
Instruments and electrical system workshop manual
Separate wiring diagram
Full HPI certificate showing no issues or mileage discrepancies
Original Jensen sales brochure
Box of spare parts and original tool kit
Comprehensive file of invoices dating back to the 1970s
Historic photos
THE INTERIOR
Dark Blue factory leather
New Wilton carpets throughout
Modernised air conditioning system
Electric windows
The Interceptor is one of those cars that’s just as cool on the inside as it is on the outside. You sink low into its supple leather seats and are faced by a bank of dials, rotary vents and rocker switches that deliver a real sense of occasion, yet with high levels of comfort – luxury car trimmings in sports car surroundings, if you will.
It’s all in great order, the only very minor fault being a small snag in the leather on the base of the driver’s seat. New Wilton carpets all-round give the cabin a big boost, while the overall condition is superb. It has also had a modernised air conditioning system fitted – there aren’t many 50-year-old cars you can buy that come with functioning air con, but this is as good as you’ll find in a newer car.
The vendor informs us that the central locking system is not working properly.
THE EXTERIOR
Repainted in original factory White
Royal Blue Metallic DuoTone roof
Spotless original alloys with nearly new tyres
Incredible condition underneath
At some point in its life, the Jensen has been repainted in its original DuoTone White with a Royal Blue roof and it’s an incredibly handsome car, with no notable defects or flaws. The paint finish is excellent, the chrome all superb and the alloy wheels unmarked, marking it out as a car that has clearly been cherished and well looked-after since its restoration.
The underside is incredible – an inspection on a lift showed the floors, sills, subframes and chassis rails to all be in excellent structural order, as the photos clarify.
THE MECHANICS
7.2-litre Chrysler V8
Three-speed Torqueflite auto
New high-torque starter motor
Drives wonderfully
It may be an exotic machine in many ways, but the Interceptor is gloriously simple in others, and the big Chrysler V8 is one of them – an old-school Detroit powerplant where there’s no substitute for cubic inches (something the Interceptor has a fair few of to write home about). It feeds its power to the rear axle via a three-speed Chrysler Group Torqueflite automatic transmission, while power steering and disc brakes keep things wieldy from behind the wheel.
During its rebuild, the engine was overhauled and rebored, with new pistons, bearings, lifters, a pair of new high lift camshafts and a new carburettor, along with an electric fuel pump. All suspension bushes were renewed, the brakes were rebuilt, new Koni shock absorbers fitted and a complete gearbox overhaul carried out, plus a new stainless steel exhaust system. Invoices for all of the above are in its history folder.
The Jensen has also had a fair amount of mechanical work lately including a fully reconditioned steering rack and track rod ends, a new Sundym tinted front screen rubber seal, a new high-torque starter motor, NGK spark plugs, air filter, heritage oil and oil filter.
It has also received a new pair of air-con, power steering and water pump drive belt, the cooling system flushed and refilled with 50/50 antifreeze, new radiator cap, window runners and motors, vacuum control unit, PCV valve, manifold and downpipe gaskets.
SUMMARY
This is a truly fantastic example of Jensen’s all-time classic big GT, finished in a wonderful colour scheme and with a pedigree behind it like no other. It’s an absolutely incredible car, in wonderful condition, with unparalleled provenance and a fascinating history. There isn’t another like it.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
1973 Jensen Interceptor Mk 3
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