Description
Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire
Viewing: Tues 25th June from 12pm
Auction: Wed 26th June from 9am
Location: IWM Duxford Airfield, Cambridge CB22 4QR
1969 Jensen Interceptor MK1
Supplied new to Hugh Clifford, 13th Baron Clifford of Chudleigh
Estimate
£50, 000 - £60, 000
Registration No: BBY 81G
Chassis No: 115-3366
MOT: Exempt
Finished in the reputedly unique combination of Metallic Fawn with Mocha leather upholstery
Not long emerged from an extensive restoration including a thorough engine overhaul, bare metal repaint and rejuvenated interior etc
Desirable late MK1 with E-Series engine, automatic transmission and power steering
Super stylish late 1960s GT car
Introduced at the 1966 Earls Court Motor Show, the Jensen Interceptor was met with great enthusiasm. Styled by Federico Formenti of Carrozzeria Touring, its handsome coupe bodywork was fabricated from steel (in contrast to the fibreglass used by its 541 / CV8 predecessors) and featured a distinctive wraparound rear windscreen. Equipped with independent coil and wishbone front suspension, a 'live' rear axle and four-wheel disc brakes, the four-seater handled with aplomb. Powered by a Chrysler-sourced 383ci (6. 3 litre) ‘Big Block’ V8 engine developing a quoted 325bhp and 425lbft of torque, the vast majority were fitted with automatic transmission. The earliest cars had their bodies built, painted and trimmed by Carrozzeria Vignale before being shipped to the UK for final assembly. However, the entire production process was soon moved inhouse. The purest incarnation of Formenti’s design, the MK1 featured notably lower set front bumpers (with the indicators mounted above them) plus a more traditional, and arguably more attractive, dashboard layout.
Progressively evolved, the Interceptor could be specified with power steering and the more potent E-Series engine. Indeed, marque historian and author Richard Calver reckons that an E-Series propelled MK1 is second only to a SP when it comes to speed (impressive given that the latter was capable of 0-60mph in sub seven seconds and over 140mph). Handbuilt and decidedly expensive, Jensen’s flagship attracted a select clientele including racing drivers Robert Ansell, Princess Chula and Ron Horton, novelists Harold Robbins and Hammond Innes, comedians Mike and Bernie Winters, boxer Henry Cooper, actor Ian Hendry, singer Cliff Richard, British Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington, golfer Peter Butler and even Her Highness the Maharani of Cooch Behar. Total MK1 production (in both LHD and RHD) amounted to just 1, 024 cars.
Factory finished in the stunning and exceptionally rare (if not unique) combination of Metallic Fawn with Mocha leather upholstery, this particular example – chassis 115/ 3366 – was supplied new to Hugh Clifford, 13th Baron Clifford of Chudleigh. A truly fascinating character, Lord Clifford was educated at Beaumont College, Windsor and Hertford College, Oxford. Captured during The Battle of the Cauldron, Libya in June 1942 whilst serving as a Major with the Second Battalion Devonshire Regiment, he spent the next fifteen months as a prisoner of war. Managing to escape from Camp No. 29 in Veano, Italy, he fought alongside partisan forces in the Bardi region until December 1944. Marrying the Hon. Katharine Vavasseur Fisher the following year, the 13th Baron became an aide-de-camp to HM Queen Elizabeth II. As well as embarking upon a painstaking renovation of his family’s seat – the magnificent, Robert Adam-designed Ugbrooke Park, in 1957, Hugh Clifford maintained his links to the military and high society. Appointed Officer, Order of the British Empire (O. B. E.) during 1962 and Deputy Lieutenant (D. L.) of Devon two years later, he bought the Jensen from Charles Follett Ltd of Mayfair, W1; doubtless finding it ideal for commuting between London and the West Country.
A copy invoice on file confirms the four-seater’s original colours and its exorbitant purchase price of £4, 409. 12s. 8d. First registered as ‘BBY 81G’ on June 10th 1969, minor warranty claims (horn contact, leaking power steering) show that Lord Clifford retained possession into the 1970s. Caught for speeding aboard the Interceptor, he was apparently quite miffed when a Royal Pardon issued to one of his ancestors was deemed inadmissible by the Court! Acquired by its last (and only sixth) registered keeper in 1994, the Grand Tourer was taken off the road and put into dry storage seven years later. Extensively restored during 2023-2024, the Jensen was treated to a thorough engine overhaul, bare metal repaint and refurbished interior etc. Believed but not warranted to have covered 61, 600 miles from new and still in need of some post-rejuvenation running-in, ‘BBY 81G’ exudes late 1960s style and panache. Ultra-rare and able to boast a wonderful provenance, this fabulous Jensen is worthy of close inspection.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
