Highlights
• One of only 320 FF versions ever made.
• Meticulously maintained by only one owner in the last 40 years.
• Comprehensive rebuild and restoration undertaken.
• Exceptional condition.
The Background
The FF version of the Interceptor was a pioneering car that missed out on the acclaim it deserved at the time, but has now become a much sought after piece of motoring history. With production running from 1966 to 1971, Jensen produced and sold only 320 of the FF
The FF was the first production car to feature all wheel drive and ABS, features that would come to dominate motorsport. FF stands for Ferguson Formula, Ferguson manufactured the AWD system and licensed it to Jensen.
Very little distinguishes the FF from the standard Interceptor visually, the biggest clue being the addition of the double vents on the side, yet the two cars are leagues apart to drive as demonstrated by the domination of AWD in motorsport.
The FF was the first production car to feature all wheel drive and ABS, features that would come to dominate motorsport. FF stands for Ferguson Formula, Ferguson manufactured the AWD system and licensed it to Jensen.
Very little distinguishes the FF from the standard Interceptor visually, the biggest clue being the addition of the double vents on the side, yet the two cars are leagues apart to drive as demonstrated by the domination of AWD in motorsport.
The History
Sadly this fantastic car is up for sale due to the passing of the owner, who originally purchased the car from an estate agent in Essex. The estate agent had been suffering from some marital woes and the car had been subject to some of the consequences, with extensive cosmetic damage.
The current owner then arranged a comprehensive restoration (including engine rebuild) in 1999 by Cropredy Bridge at a cost of £35,000 that brought the car back to showroom condition. Living in Devon since then, it has been kept in an environmentally controlled garage and meticulously maintained.
The current owner then arranged a comprehensive restoration (including engine rebuild) in 1999 by Cropredy Bridge at a cost of £35,000 that brought the car back to showroom condition. Living in Devon since then, it has been kept in an environmentally controlled garage and meticulously maintained.
The Paperwork
As is evident from the pictures this is a remarkably fine example of the much sought after FF and this is reflected in the extensive paperwork. Amongst the piles we can find the original owners manual (which details the Ferguson Formula AWD system) as well as one receipt for parts that's over four A4 pages long.
Even the original rebuild that was conducted when the owner first bought the car circa forty years ago has been well documented in photographs. Every receipt and invoice for all work carried out since then is included.
Even the original rebuild that was conducted when the owner first bought the car circa forty years ago has been well documented in photographs. Every receipt and invoice for all work carried out since then is included.
The Interior
Whilst the exterior is all Italian flair and the engine is a mighty American V8, the interior is all English refinement, plush leather seats that provide a fantastic level of comfort whilst the back seats are more akin to a two seater sofa than traditional car seats. The dashboard is pure 70’s styling; from the angled dials to the original 8 track stereo .
This exceptional car even includes the original passenger footrest, a feature often missing from these cars. Great condition throughout (as with every other aspect of this car) the seats and coachwork show few signs of wear.
This exceptional car even includes the original passenger footrest, a feature often missing from these cars. Great condition throughout (as with every other aspect of this car) the seats and coachwork show few signs of wear.
The Exterior
The exterior is in remarkably good condition, from the original door handles in bright chrome, to the large body panels now shown off in glorious Ferrari Rosso red. During the rebuild the car was treated to a full respray in Ferrari Rosso red, complimenting the Italian design of the body, which thanks to very careful ownership it looks almost as good today as the day it was done.
The panel gaps are good and the door handles were described as “some of the best door handles I have ever seen” by John Pym of the Jensen Owners Club. There is one small ding on the rear left panel (as shown in the images) and the rear bumper could do with a re-chrome.
The panel gaps are good and the door handles were described as “some of the best door handles I have ever seen” by John Pym of the Jensen Owners Club. There is one small ding on the rear left panel (as shown in the images) and the rear bumper could do with a re-chrome.
The Mechanics
This car has been meticulously maintained, being in the family for around forty years and having undergone a full rebuild (including the engine) it has since been kept in a dehumidified garage and it shows. On top of that it has only covered 10k since 1981, in truly fantastic condition the underside is as clean as the top!
As shown in the extensive paperwork, this car hasn’t wanted for anything, if something needed doing it’s been done. The car has been converted to fuel injection, which works perfectly and provides a more robust fueling system for the big Chrysler V8.
As shown in the extensive paperwork, this car hasn’t wanted for anything, if something needed doing it’s been done. The car has been converted to fuel injection, which works perfectly and provides a more robust fueling system for the big Chrysler V8.
The Appeal
With a prodigious 6.3 litre Chrysler V8 engine and Italian good looks even the standard Interceptor is a much desired car, the FF however takes this to a whole new level with AWD, ABS and a level of scarcity not often seen in production cars.
From the long flowing lines of the exterior to the rumble of the v8 under acceleration this is a car that demands to be driven. This is a fantastic example and the Ferrari Rosso Red only adds to the appeal of this exceptional car.
From the long flowing lines of the exterior to the rumble of the v8 under acceleration this is a car that demands to be driven. This is a fantastic example and the Ferrari Rosso Red only adds to the appeal of this exceptional car.
Notice to bidders
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