﹒Featured on hit TV show, Wheeler Dealers
﹒Recent significant mechanical works
﹒Original specification

If you’re looking for a British take on the muscle car, there are few that fit the bill quite so well as the mighty Jensen Interceptor. Long bonneted and fitted with a thumping great V8, it was and still is a bold, brash machine. It might be getting on in years, but don’t think the Jensen Interceptor has gotten soft with age. If anything, in an ever-changing landscape rapidly filling up with silent battery-powered cars, the Interceptor is perhaps more bold now than it was when new. Even the name, Interceptor, stirs the soul. 

Launched in 1966, this release of the Interceptor (there was a car of the same name in the ‘50s) enjoyed a production run of ten years, during which it went through three evolutions. What we have here is a Mark 3 model, which for many is the one to have. It has had an engine swap to the popular 383 cubic inch Chrysler V8. Admittedly, this one isn’t the ‘six pack’ with three two-barrel carbs, but don’t fret, as it does still have a thumping four-barrel.

This particular Jensen Interceptor, which is a Series 3 model, might look familiar to some of you. There’s the white bodywork, which is a rare colour, surprisingly. Then there’s the number plate. You’re looking at it, and you’re sure you’ve seen it before, right? Well, you probably have. But on the telly rather than at a car show. You see, this particular Jensen Interceptor has been through the workshop of the hit TV show, Wheeler Dealers. 

This car featured in Series 7, Episode 1, and as you can imagine, it was a car Edd was all too keen to get his hands on. As is par for the course, the car needed some work. There was some significant rust in the passenger footwell, the leather needed to be given some love and the steering rack and brake master cylinder were replaced. Then the car was polished up, including the GKN alloy wheels. Once done, the car was sold on to a new, enthusiastic owner. 

It remained with said new owner until 2019, when it was bought by the current custodian. Having always wanted a Jensen Interceptor, this was the perfect car. It was local, it was in decent health and the interesting history certainly didn’t diminish the appeal. 

Of course, the TV show was a long time ago, 2010 to be exact. This model of Interceptor saw a return to steel for the Italian-designed body, which of course brings with it the danger of corrosion. As such, this car is in need of some attention. However, it’s complete, it runs like a champ, and the current owner has spared no expense in keeping the mechanicals in order. The suspension has been replaced, the rack, the brakes and everything has been done by a Jensen specialist. The car is in rude mechanical health. It just needs someone to bring the body up to a standard to match.

If you watched the show, you’ll know that Mike went to great lengths to get copies of all the original paperwork, including delivery information, build sheets and specifications. Happily, all of this is still present. There are also some scripts from the show, as well as some of the receipts for the parts fitted. Then there is a wealth of information from the car’s early life, such as service and repair invoices from over the years. 

More recently, the current owner has spent a great deal of money on the Jensen, focused mainly on the mechanical side of things. Some £18,000 has been spent sorting out the brakes, suspension and steering. Look underneath the car and all of this work is there to see. The current owner has digital copies of all the invoices for the works, which were carried out by Jensen specialist, Rejen.

Despite the size of the Interceptor, the cabin is a surprisingly intimate place to be. Two up front with two bucket seats in the back, with an imposing transmission tunnel running down the middle, the cabin is snug and comfortable. Everything is present and correct, with the exception of the factory-fitted air-conditioning unit, which was removed during the show as it was beyond economical repair to try and fix it. 

The dashboard is in good order, with no damage or cracking to be seen. All the dials are present, and all function. The same can be said for all the switchgear, which on a quick inspection still seem to carry out their applicable functions. There is a Moto-Lita leather-trimmed steering wheel fitted, which is wonderfully tactile and a modern stereo head unit has been fitted. 

Elsewhere in the cabin, there is some work to be done. The driver’s seat in particular is looking somewhat tired, and needs repair as there is a rip in the outer bolster. The fronts seats are both well worn, and as such, would benefit from some specialist repair and conditioning. However, the seats are still supportive and the folding function remains. The rear seats are in good general order, but would benefit from some feed and colour. 

The door cards present well, though there is some slight moisture damage on the lower edge of the driver side card. However, the oft missing chrome trim holding both door cards in place is present and correct, as are all the handles and pulls. 

In the boot, the rear shelf is in excellent condition, as is the boot glass itself. The floor is solid, though there is some heavy surface rust to be observed, though there are no holes or any serious corrosion. 

On the whole, the interior is a lovely place to be, and everything seems to function as it should. If you want to keep this car as a regular driver, the only thing you’d really need to address is the condition of the front seats. Other than that, it’s good to go bar a quick clean and feed of the leather.

This Jensen's exterior is where the most work is needed. While a solid car at its core, there is no escaping the fact the body has started to let go on its extremities. The lower doors, the rear arches, the rear hatch under the glass and under the vinyl roof are all showing signs of corrosion. 

The rear arches are bubbling and will need expert repair, as will some other areas like the front valance, which is holed on one side. There is also some sign of corrosion creeping in around the A pillars, which should be investigated first. The doors are largely solid, but there is evidence of rust staining and corrosion on the lower edges, so again, this will need to be rectified. 

Further corrosion is evident on the rear valance, the rear quarters and the rear panel. Ideally, this car needs to be taken back to bare metal, repaired and repainted. But be assured, it would be worth the effort. The car’s core structure looks to be solid, the bulkhead is free of rot as are the floors. The B pillars are solid, the inner wings too. It’s just the outer panelwork that needs attention. 

Despite the issue highlighted, this Jensen still presents well, with a certain stoic dignity. It’s all there, the glass, chrome and lights are good, the wheels could do with a polish, but it’s  still a damn fine looking machine. It just needs you to bid, and then bring it back to its wonderful former glory. 

This is where the Jensen truly shines. It starts on the button and that 6.3 V8 sounds nothing short of glorious, whether just sat burbling, or out on the road with the revs climbing. It’s a healthy, strong engine. We went out for a drive in the car and can happily report that it pulls incredibly well. The automatic transmission shifts as it should, with kickdown engaging when asked. It drives so, so very well. 

The work on the suspension has paid dividends, as the car simply glides along. There’s not a bump, rattle or creak to be heard as this big machine soaks up the bumps. The steering is light and direct, but not at the detriment of feedback - you still feel connected to what’s going on at the wheels. The brakes are excellent, and bring the Jensen to a sharp halt without any juddering or change of direction. 

It is, make no mistake, an absolute joy to drive. It’s impressively fast, it’s composed, it’s controlled and it’s deeply comfortable. Slide in behind the wheel of this big old machine and you will instantly fall in love with it.

The Jensen Interceptor is an aspirational classic that we would all dream to own. However, values have gone skyward in recent years, and what was once a cheap V8 GT car is now keeping forecourt company with Ferraris and other exotica. The Jensen Interceptor has now come into its own, and rightly so. 

This car needs work, there is no escaping that. But by being a car that needs work, it’s also not going to be the most expensive one out there. As such, this is it, this could be your once in a lifetime chance to get yourself behind the wheel of a British icon. Mechanically, this car is absolutely on point. It’s just some bodywork that needs to be sorted. You could view it as a rolling restoration, you could go the whole hog and have it done all at once, and when you do, you’ll be left with a wonderful car that boasts a unique history. If you ever, for one second, thought the ship had sailed on owning a Jensen, we’re here to tell you that it’s back in port to give you another chance.

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