One of the most glorious automotive sub-genres of the 1960s saw coachbuilt British cars styled with crisp Italianate flair and stuffed with mighty American V8s – there was the Gordon-Keeble, the Bristol 410 and, perhaps most thrilling of all, the Jensen Interceptor. With its 383ci big-block Chrysler V8 and design by Carrozzeria Touring, it’s rightly gone down in history as one of the true greats. 

That wasn’t enough for Jensen, however – they wanted to make this phenomenal machine even better, and the result was the car you see here: the Jensen FF. While largely resembling the Interceptor, it’s actually very different mechanically, the whole car lengthened by five inches to accommodate a four-wheel-drive system developed by Ferguson Formula (hence the FF moniker). And this was a properly mould-breaking machine: the world’s first ever non-all-terrain production car to have 4WD, it beat the Audi Quattro to the game by a full fourteen years. It was also the first production car to have anti-lock brakes, its Dunlop Maxaret system having been originally conceived for racing cars and aircraft. 

The FF is a rare beast too. Just 320 examples were built, the low numbers attributable to two key reasons: firstly, it was about 30% more expensive than the Interceptor. And secondly, due to the 4WD layout, it wasn’t possible to convert to left-hand-drive, and thus no export market. 

Today, then, an FF is an unusual thing. And finding one in this condition is even more unusual – over £40,000 has been spent on restoration, including £21,750 on a bare shell body resto, plus an engine rebuild, braking system overhaul, and refurbishment of the original interior. Believe us when we say that this is a very special car indeed. 

 

 

 

The FF’s interior is a truly wonderful place to be, with its airy glasshouse and supremely comfortable seats. The original Jensen-branded Radiomobile 8-track player is our favourite part, and it’s in fully functional condition with upgraded speakers front and rear. 

The original leather trim has been professionally refurbished and the carpets cleaned, and it all presents beautifully throughout. The headlining is good, and the centre console veneer has been replaced. The electric windows work correctly, as do the gauges, and the elegant wood-rim steering wheel is in great condition. 

There’s proper space in the rear (it’s a four-seater, not a 2+2) and the boot is usefully large too; this is a genuine grand tourer.  

 

Stop rubbing your eyes. They do not deceive you. This car really is that beautiful. 

The crisp design is at once elegant and muscular (which isn’t an easy trick to pull off), and the condition of the body today is thanks to the staggering amounts of money that have been spent to get it this way. The receipts and photographic evidence show us that the shell was taken back to bare metal, all rot eradicated and numerous fresh panels fitted, before being fully repainted in this delectable shade of silver. 

The wheels have been refurbished, the bumpers replaced, and all of the correct FF trim and badging is in place. If you’re after a car that will effortlessly scoop up the rosettes at your local village fayre’s classic car display, you’re looking at it right here. It won’t look out of place next to your yacht in Monte Carlo either. 

 

This isn’t just a show pony, of course. These cars were engineered to be exceptional to drive, and this one truly is. The 383ci Chrysler V8 was fully rebuilt in 2011, and aficionados of such things will confirm how dependable and reliable these engines are. 

They’re amusingly powerful too, with oodles of effortless torque backed up by a sonorous muscle car soundtrack. The engine has been fitted with a chromed Edelbrock air filter, although for the purists you’ll find the original air cleaner housing in the boot. 

The engine fires on the first turn of the key, with an entertaining bark, and settles into a characterful idle that gently rocks the car from side to side when you blip the throttle, signifying its mighty power. The Torqueflite automatic transmission is smooth and robust, the brakes feel appropriately strong, and the suspension rides beautifully with a cosseting feel befitting a premium grand tourer. It really is a magnificent machine to travel in. 

 

It’s not often we’re rendered speechless by a test drive, but this FF really is something else. In many ways it’s arguably the perfect car, as it can do so many things so well: it’s attractive, comfortable, fast, agile, spacious, reliable… if you want a collection of classic cars but only have one parking slot, this glorious car can do all of their jobs at once.

With a huge amount of money spent on sympathetic restoration, this must be absolutely one of the best FFs available. We’re in love. You will be too.

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