Highlights
- Extensive £30,000 renovation in 2016
- Work included full body restoration
- Very well presented car in rare Thunder Grey metallic
- Large history file including original build sheet
- Lots of invoices on file from specialist including Robeys, Cropredy and Appleyard
- Rare and desirable Mk1 with the high compression 6.3L MOPAR engine
The Appeal
The later cars may be more numerous, but for aficionados, it is all about the early Interceptor. These first cars, developed by Jensen in just four months, offer the purest design, including slimmer rear lights and an exquisite wood-and-walnut interior that feels like a mini gentleman’s club.
Just 1,024 Mk1 cars were built. Besides the aesthetics, they appeal because they feature the ‘high compression’ version of Chrysler’s torquey 6.3L ‘MOPAR’ V8. This very smart example is an early one, a 1968 ‘115-Series’ RHD UK market car that was originally specified in red. The current keeper acquired it in 2015 and commissioned an extensive £30,000 restoration that began in 2016. The work included a full body restoration and repaint in what appears to be period-correct Thunder Grey - identical to the car featured in the current BBC Lynley series - and with a retrimmed tan leather cabin. The exterior chromework has also been refurbished. We are told that the work included over £14,000 in parts from blue-chip Jensen specialists such as Robeys, Cropredy and Appleyards.
The car has only covered 4,000 miles since all this work, so it remains in very good condition. There are inevitably a few minor points to note in photos, but overall, this is a very well-presented example. With rumours of a ‘new’ Interceptor once again on the horizon, here is a chance to discover where it all started.
History and Paperwork
- First registered 28th March 1968
- Eight registered keepers
- Current keeper since May 2015
- Full body restoration in 2016 with invoices in file and shown in photos
- Retrimmed by previous keeper in tan
- Previous red which was changed with DVLA in December 2016
- VIN number 1152798
- Extensive history file including handwritten notes and invoices
- Vendor advises body restoration cost £16,528
- Parts costing over £14,000 acquired from Jensen specialist as part of restoration
- Current keeper is said to have covered 4,000 miles since acquiring car
- Factory build sheet and early warranty paperwork included in history file
- Some spares included as shown
- V5C
The Condition
- Bodywork restored and repainted in 2016 in what appears to be Thunder Grey metallic
- Paintwork presents very well due to car’s sparing use since completion
- Some light stone chips to front of car but barely visible
- Bodywork in good order with some minor points to note in photos
- Underside as shown with evidence of undersealing
- Exterior chromework re-chromed since 2015 as part of renovation work
- Period-style silver Rostyle-type wheels in good condition
- Matching quality Pirelli P5 tyres fitted all round showing good tread
- Retrimmed tan leather interior with correct early Interceptor features
- Interior is very well kept with some light rippling to note to base of door cards
- Tan pleated headlining, grey carpets in cabin and black carpets in boot all well kept
- Early Interceptor dashboard with chrome toggle switches and walnut veneer
- Dashboard trim and switchgear in very good condition as shown
- Features three-spoke wood rimmed wheel, classic radio and period 8 track
The Mechanics
- 6,276cc ‘High Compression’ Chrysler V8 engine delivering 325bhp
- 3spd Chrysler ‘Torqueflite’ gearbox
- Very well maintained with extensive expenditure on parts since 2015
- History file shown in the photos provides more detail on maintenance
- Few miles covered since the vendor acquired the car in 2015
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