Highlights
- Partly restored and to a very high standard
- Exceptional condition throughout
- Only 40,000 miles
The Appeal
Interceptor - even the name is bold and this car lives up to it, with it’s fantastic Italian styling by Carrozzeria Touring and the monstrous 7.2L V8 up front. A big, imposing grand tourer with a powerful engine and a sumptuous interior the Interceptor is a fine British classic that few other cars can match.
The long body has elements of american muscle car as well as clear European sports car styling that combines to make a unique looking car that’s instantly recognisable. The styling of the hand-built body looks as good today as when they first rolled out of the factory. The stiff steel body and chassis make this big GT feel surprisingly nimble and the power delivery from the big V8 to the rear wheel will put a smile on anyone's face.
With very low mileage, only one owner in the logbook and in show ready condition it is an exceptional example of this fantastic car. Having been partially restored by the current owner (a restoration specialist) including a full bare metal respray, a fully retrimmed interior and a range of mechanical work they really don’t come better than this.
The History and Paperwork
- V5 Present and correct
- MOT exempt
- Statement of Origin certificate
- Original owners manuals and workshop manual
- A selection of invoices for all of the paint and supplies required for the full respray carried out by the current owner
- The owner has replaced the sills on both sides (inner and outer) along with outer rear lower panel and the inner boot skirt with an invoice from Martin Robey for the parts
- An invoice dated 2019 for a new steering rack
- Imported by the current owner from Australia with all documentation completed and correct
The Interior
- Re-trimmed
- Exceptional condition throughout
- All new biscuit colour leather and vinyl used in the same places as the original specification
- New white headlining
- Full new Wilton carpeting throughout
- New front seat bases
- New retractable seat belts
- Tool kit and jack in new tool rolls to match the rest of the interior
The interior of the Interceptor has always been very highly finished for a car of its era and this one, fully retrimmed, demonstrates just how good they can be.
The deep and exceptionally plush seats are in as new condition and the owner has replaced the bases when re-covering the seats. The carpeting is Wilton, specifically designed for luxury and classic cars and is in perfect condition throughout. All of the retrimming the owner has carried out has used a combination of high quality leather and vinyl in the same places that Jensen originally used them to keep it as true to the original as possible. The door cards, centre console, headlining and all of the trim presents beautifully. The wide dashboard, finished in black, looks fantastic and the combination of the angled dials and 3 spoke metal and leather steering wheel are reminiscent of big American muscle cars.
Luxurious but with a distinctively sporty feel the interior of the Interceptor provides a fantastic driving experience and considerately re-trimmed they don’t come much better than this.
The Exterior
- Exceptional overall condition
- Full bare-metal respray in Renault Vert Epicea F7444 by the current owner
- Fantastic Italian GT styling
- Diamond cut and lacquered wheels in perfect condition
- New bumpers and overriders
The big Italian designed body of the Interceptor makes for a great looking car and thanks to the extensive work carried out by the owner they don’t come better than this. An excellent example of the classic grand tourer, from the big curved rear windscreen to the tall side vents the Interceptor packs in a lot of style.
The current owner conducted a full bare-metal respray in Renault Vert Epicea (a metallic bronze) and it looks simply gorgeous. All five of the wheels have been diamond cut and lacquered and look perfect. With all of the brightwork, light lenses, badges and trim in the same exceptional condition this car is in ready to show condition.
The Mechanics
- Original 7,200cc V8 engine
- Engine bay and engine present very well
- Inner and outer sills replaced on both sides and treated with Dinitrol cavity wax
- Reconditioned steering rack
- Underside in very good condition and fully treated with Dinitrol underseal, including the wheel arches
- The distinctive sound of a big V8 sounds fantastic through the twin exhausts
- New battery fitted by the current owner
- All five tyres are new and have full tread
The current owner is a restoration specialist and this was intended to be kept as part of his personal collection, so the care taken with the mechanics is of the same very high standard as it is with the aesthetics.
The big V8 starts easily (although the owner advises a few pumps of the throttle to prime the carburettors) and sounds simply fantastic through the twin pipes. There are no unusual noises and the engine idles smoothly with the owner reporting that the car drives perfectly with eager power delivery and smooth gear changes.
With the sills having been replaced (a weak spot for corrosion on the Interceptors) and a range of other mechanical work carried out we can say that the mechanical aspects of this car really do reflect the same standard as its appearance.
Summary
We love the Jensen Interceptor and they don’t come better than this one. From the stunning paint job to the plush retrimmed interior it presents beautifully throughout. And then there is that engine, the 7.2L V8 that not just looks and sounds fantastic, but pushes this car along at an almighty pace that combined with the noise will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Add to this the fact that it is a right hand drive car and you have something very special indeed.
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