Description
The Jensen C-V8 Mk I was one of the most ambitious British grand touring cars of the early 1960s. It was technically advanced, exceptionally fast, and laid much of the engineering groundwork for the later Jensen Interceptor.
Origins
By the early 1960s, Jensen Motors needed a successor to its successful 541 series. The 541’s used Austin six-cylinder engines, but these were reaching the limits of their performance potential.
Rather than develop a new engine, Jensen followed a philosophy that would define the company for the next decade:
• Build a lightweight British GT chassis.
• Use a powerful, reliable American V8.
• Combine luxury with effortless high-speed touring.
Chief designer Eric Neale styled the new car, while engineer Kevin Beattie developed an entirely new steel chassis. The body continued Jensen's use of glass-fibre construction, with aluminium-skinned doors to reduce weight.
Launch
The C-V8 debuted at the 1962 London Motor Show in October 1962 and entered production the following month.
The name "C-V8" simply referred to the Chrysler V8 powering the car—a bold move at a time when many British manufacturers still relied on smaller domestic engines.
The Mk I featured:
• Chrysler 361 cu in (5. 9-litre) V8
• Approximately 305 bhp
• Chrysler TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission
• Four-wheel Dunlop disc brakes with servo assistance
• Independent front suspension and live rear axle
Despite weighing around 1. 5 tonnes, the combination gave the car outstanding performance for its day.
Performance
The Mk I was among the world's fastest four-seat production cars.
Contemporary road tests recorded:
• Top speed approaching 140 mph (225 km/ h)
• 0–60 mph in 6. 7 seconds
• Effortless high-speed cruising thanks to the large Chrysler V8
Having recorded a 0–60 mph time of just 6. 7 seconds, (making it as quick as a Lamborghini Miura), the Autocar magazine famously dubbed the C-V8 "one of the fastest cars we have ever road tested and certainly the fastest full four seater."
Unlike highly strung European sports cars, the C-V8 delivered its performance with tremendous torque and reliability, making it an outstanding continental GT.
Contemporary journalists praised its refinement and stability at speed.
Production
Only 69 right-hand-drive automatic Mk I cars were built between November 1962 and November 1963, making it by far the rarest production version of the C-V8.
Legacy
Although only a few dozen Mk I cars were built, the model represents an important turning point in British GT design.
It introduced several themes that became synonymous with Jensen:
• Big-capacity Chrysler V8 engines
• Fibreglass body construction
• Luxurious four-seat accommodation
• Exceptional long-distance performance
Today, surviving Mk I cars are among the most desirable Jensen models because of their rarity and their status as the first of the Chrysler-powered Jensens.
Chassis Number 104/ 2011 was built in February 1963, finished in Boticelli Blue with a Blue Grey interior. Having received a full interior retrim, this C-V8 is mechanically structurally very solid, and has been kept in excellent condition by its current owner
Rare. Powerful. Unmistakable. This beautifully presented Jensen C-V8 Mk I is ready for its next custodian.
