Highlights
- The only AJS car bodied new by Jensen Motors
- Displayed new at the 1932 London Motor Show
- Rediscovered in a derelict state in 2013 and recreated to original specification by the vendor over a three year period
- One of only around one thousand AJS motorcars known to have been built
- Coventry Climax sidevalve engine rebuilt by Gosney Engineering and now just run in
The Appeal
When you hear the name AJS, you likely think about motorcycles and indeed, their two-wheeled machines proved very successful. What few know is that AJS also built cars - about one thousand in all - and here we have a rather special example, said to be the only AJS bodied new by the Jensen Motor Company.
Designed by Arthur G. Booth, AJS’ light car was produced briefly between 1930 and the company’s liquidation in 1932. This example was purchased as a finished rolling chassis by Birmingham AJS distributor Chamberlain, King & Jones in 1932 and Jensen were approached to complete the coachwork in aluminium over an ash frame. This very car appeared at the 1932 London Motor Show and subsequently disappeared for a number of years, reemerging in 1955 in Newport with the registration JW 161. After changing hands several more times, the previous owner acquired the car in 1966 and it remained in their possession for the next 47 years. By this point, it was in a derelict state, with little of the original car remaining.
The present owner, formerly the Chairman of the AJS Car Club, restored the car, painstakingly recreating the original Jensen bodywork using old photographs and notes. Three years and around 2,800 hours of work later, the car you see today was re-born. The sidevalve Coventry Climax engine was comprehensively overhauled by Gosney Engineering and the car is now equipped with a four speed gearbox. Run in and reportedly ready to use this is an unrepeatable opportunity to acquire a fascinating piece of British motoring history.
The History and Paperwork
- The rolling chassis was completed by John Thompson Motor Pressings, Bilston in 1931
- Acquired by Birmingham AJS distributor Chamberlain, King & Jones in 1932
- Bodied by Jensen
- Appeared at the 1932 London Motor Show
- The RF60 logbook dated 1955 demonstrates that the registration had by that point been changed to ‘JW 161’
- Following its owner in Newport parting with it, the AJS passed through three further keepers during the late 1950s and early 1960s
- Acquired by its previous keeper in 1966 and they kept it until 2013
- Discovered by the present owner while attempting to locate surviving AJS cars - in their role as Chairman of the AJS Car Club
- Resurrected by the vendor between 2013 and 2016
- An estimated 2,800 hours of work went into its restoration
- Now run in and ready to use
- Exempt from road tax and MOT testing
- Complete with a plaque, acknowledging the car’s extensive restoration
The Interior
- Totally remanufactured by the vendor
- Beautifully finished to an exceedingly high standard
- Equipped with a rev counter from a Supermarine Spitfire! - (calibrated to read accurately)
- Engine turned dashboard
- Very smart black upholstery with no wear to speak of
- Smart red carpeting in very good condition
- Period correct steering wheel with hand throttle and ignition advance / retard control
- All the switchgear and instrumentation presents really well and the vendor informs us that the original instrumentation remains present
- In the rear, two rally plaques from events the car participated in are neatly affixed
- Nicely finished door cards in very fine condition
The Exterior
- Jensen coachwork painstakingly recreated by the vendor using enlarged original photographs
- Fabric body - remade using Rexine, laid over 3 mm of foam, over galvanised steel sheeting
- Ash body frame - remade from scratch
- The original steel bonnet was recreated in aluminium, equipped with louvres and brass hinges
- Reuses hinges, door fittings and the screen from the original car
- Presented in excellent overall condition
- No signs of wear, damage of corrosion evident
- The vendor report that the passenger door has warped slightly over time as a knot in the ash has dried out
- Sits upon black wire wheels with polished hubcaps
- All brightwork rechromed - except for the headlamp rings
The Mechanics
- 1086 cc Coventry Climax four cylinder sidevalve engine
- Fitted with an overhauled four-speed gearbox - (originally three-speed)
- Fitted with remote gear lever extension
- The reported original top speed was sixty mph
- The starter and dynamo were both overhauled and function, although the Lucas cutout for battery charge control does not work correctly so an alternator has been fitted, driven off the prop shaft to provide correct battery charging
- New battery fitted
- Extensive mechanical overhaul completed by Gosney Engineering at a reported cost of £5,000
- The engine was completely stripped and all new pistons and liners were fitted
- All new valves and springs fitted using modern type collets on the valve stems
- All bearings remetalled in white metal
- Rebuilt braking system including new brake shoes machined to fit the diameter of skimmed brake drums with all new clevis pins made and fitted
- Just run-in having completed about 1,000 miles since completion of the mechanical work
- A complete new wiring harness was made by a specialist company and indicators were discreetly fitted within existing light fittings
- The vendor comments that it starts perfectly, runs smoothly and drives really well
- No mechanical issues reported
Summary
This is an unrepeatable opportunity to acquire an utterly unique pre-war car. Recreated to very exacting standards by its current owner, this AJS is in fabulous condition and a credit to their skill and tenacity.
It will no doubt be appreciated by enthusiasts wherever it goes, so be sure not to miss the chance to make it yours.
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