Beskrivning
Chassis No: 123/ 4008
MOT: July 2023
1 of just 696 right-hand-drive examples of the Interceptor II manufactured
The beneficiary of over £34, 000 worth of expenditure in the vendor's nine-year ownership
Jensen's C-V8 replacement debuted in 1966 reviving a name first employed in the 1950s. However, several of the firm's traditions were broken in that the design was outsourced to Carrozzeria Touring, and the bodies made of steel, not glass fibre. Early shells were built in Italy, by Vignale, before production was established at Jensen's Kelvin Way plant in West Bromwich. Power came from a 6276cc (383ci) Chrysler V8, driving through either a four-speed manual or three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission to an LSD Salisbury rear axle. Specification included electric windows, reclining seats, a wood-rim steering wheel, radio with twin speakers, an electric clock, and reversing lights. MkI production ran for three years before being supplanted by the MkII. The MkIII followed two years later and was still in manufacture when Jensen entered receivership during 1976, by which time some 6, 408 Interceptors had been built. Beautiful gunmetal grey exterior with very good chrome, rubbers and recently refurbished wheels. A previous Jensen Owners Club Concours d’ Elegance award winner, the Interceptor II entered into current ownership in 2013, having resided with the previous custodian for some eight years beforehand. The interior is trimmed in the mostly original Biscuit leather interior upholstery. Refreshed with a new carpet set, rear side cards, and centre console, retaining as much of the original interior as possible.
The leather retains a delightfully original patina. Receiving expenditure of approximately £9, 000 during the prior ownership, work completed included a gearbox overhaul and engine and servo mounts. Under the vendor's custodianship, the Interceptor II has received further expenditure worth over £34, 000. In 2013, the interior was refreshed with a new carpet set, rear side cards, and centre console, retaining as much of the original interior as possible. Rear seatbelts were professionally installed. Manufactured on the 6th of December 1970, the Jensen offered was supplied new to ‘Michael Norman Antiques’, being first registered in the United Kingdom on the 1st of April 1971. One of just 1, 128 Interceptor IIs manufactured (of which only 696 examples were right-hand-drive), ‘BHJ 151J’ is fitted with the 6276cc Chrysler V8 engine allied to the three-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission.
‘BHJ 151J’ is offered with a large and comprehensive history file that dates back to the Jensen’s manufacture, and comprises the Statement of Origin from the Records of Jensen Motors; a copy of Inspection Finishing Line documents; a Guarantee claim when three months old for paintwork rectification; an extensive collection of invoices dating back to the early 1970s; a large selection of MOTs back to the 1980s; several previous tax discs, and a current V5C document. Driven some 16, 000 miles during the vendor's custodianship, subject to much expenditure, and with well-documented history, this surely makes this Interceptor II a very appealing prospect. Well-renowned specialists Cropredy Bridge supplied a complete engine overhaul, front brake pads and discs, and other mechanical enhancements through 2014 and 2015, as well as Malton Coachworks providing a full repaint and exterior trim refurbishment. Further mechanical improvements between 2016-2018 included a new exhaust manifold, power steering pump, oil pressure sender, and servicing. Most recently lavished with c.£2, 560 this year, wheel refurbishment, further paintwork improvements, power steering fettling, and a new window motor were all received.
