Developed jointly by Jensen and the Healey family of Austin-Healey fame, the Jensen GT is a more practically-bodied version of the Jensen-Healey sports car. But while it may have rear seats and a capacious boot, it still manages to look swoopy and a little exotic to our eyes.
As a classic, it pulls off the coup of both being rare and having good parts availability due to utilising lots of off the shelf components (including an engine from Lotus) and with the company having sold the tooling for the rest to a specialist in Martin Robey, who continues to this day.
This example was restored in 1996 by none other than Martin Robey and has seen little use since, with its minimal mileage thought to be genuine. It has the distinction of having a factory-fitted electrically powered metal sliding sunroof, which is thought to be extremely rare.
It’s most recently been dry stored for quite some time and, although it’s received a fresh coat of paint and starts and runs, it now requires recommissioning. So if you’re looking for a rare and interesting slice of seventies car culture then head on over to the bid button now.
Switchgear untested and may require some attention
Original toolkit
Presented in the classic combination of black and tan, the interior features that staple fabric of the decade of the car’s production, corduroy. While making this very much not a car in which to indulge your Cadbury’s Flake addiction, the fabric has arguably never looked more at home. The wood dash and Smiths instruments provide a great outlook from the driver’s seat but the switchgear is largely untested and so it’s best to anticipate that it may need some fettling.
The rear seats fold down to provide a usefully flat load area, while under the boot floor is the original toolkit. Up above, the headlining is clean, albeit slightly sagging in places, and the factory metal sunroof is a welcome and rare additionWT9BMYMCa4cVy3Vob6J7d07I0CaaEiB9oTBW3kSr.jpeg40.15 KB
The Exterior
Presents very well
Recently repainted
Wheels in very good condition, although tyres will need to be renewed, due to age
Good chrome, although showing a little pitting in places
Although brown is increasingly coming back into fashion, is there a more seventies shade than the Cheviot Brown which adorns this car? It’s rare, too, with a previous owner stating that only 37 were produced in this colour though, given how well it suits the car, that’s a surprise.
The paintwork has recently been refreshed and the seller reports that it is generally in very good condition. The chrome was not restored and shows a little pitting but is still very presentable.
Underneath, the paint shop reported a little surface corrosion but that it looks generally solid. The wheels have largely been protected from kerbing by the generous amount of sidewall on the tyres and, while there is tread remaining on them, the tyres will likely need to be changed due to their age. Overall, the car presents very well and after some recommissioning will be ready to adorn the roads once again.
Will need thorough mechanical recommissioning following a number of years in storage
Under the bonnet is the 1973 cc Lotus 907 dual overhead cam, twin-carb, 16-valve all-alloy engine. With an intake that confusingly resembles an exhaust, the engine is slanted to fit it under the low bonnet line. It starts first time and the seller reports that it drives well with no knocks or bangs, keeping up with modern traffic and handling very nicely. However it has not been thoroughly tested as it really needs a full service before being properly extended.
Likewise, with the rest of the mechanics, on a brief drive everything appears to be in working order including brakes, a smooth gear change and no excessive smoke from the exhaust but the vendor strongly recommends a good going over before driving it any distance and that it should therefore be collected on a trailer.
A rare and unusual seventies car in overall very presentable condition which would now benefit from recommissioning before adorning the roads once again.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.
Please see our FAQ's here and our Terms & Conditions here
