The Jensen Interceptor is an exciting Anglo-American Gran Turismo that fills a similar niche as the Aston Martin V8 from the 70s at a fraction of the price. With its four headlights, rear-set greenhouse, and fishbowl hatchback, the 2+2 “Gentleman’s Express” combined an English interior of leather, wood, and Smith’s gauges with elegant Carrozzeria Vignale designed coachwork, a low-maintenance drivetrain, and impressive performance. These wonderful 7 litre American engine British sports cars are real head turner and are a joy to drive. They are great for any journeys or a quick dash along country roads, using the very torquey and tractable large V8 engine to its max.
More than any of its previous models, the Interceptor of the Sixties firmly established Jensen as a producer of stylish, high performance and hand-built cars. The prototype Interceptor appeared in 1965, a two seater convertible with alloy coachwork, a third transverse rear seat and either 4.5 or 6.3 litre Chrysler engine. Although well received, Jensen realised the market was really for closed cars and entrusted the design to Vignale in Italy.
Launched at the 1966 London Motor Show, the stylish Interceptor proved a star attraction. Beneath its now steel coachwork the substantial parallel tube chassis featured independent wishbone/coil spring front suspension with a live, leaf-sprung rear axle located by Panhard rod and disc brakes all-round. Inside, Connolly leather and Wilton carpets ensured luxury while the dashboard was comprehensively equipped. In October 1968, shortly after power steering became standard, the Interceptor was announced in Mk II form with larger fuel tank, reclining seats, restyled fascia and optional air conditioning. The Mk III appeared in October 1971, boasting a 7,212cc engine, ventilated disc brakes, alloy wheels and restyled interior.
First registered in Hong Kong to a British Expatriate Cathay Pacific pilot in 1973, this Interceptor III comes with a huge history file containing parts invoice and bills for repairs and servicing dating back several decades together with an original Interceptor III handbook, tools and spare wheel. This is an exceptional, two owners from new, fully documented Hong Kong delivered 1973 Jensen Interceptor series III on offer. This original right hand drive is equipped with a delicious Chrysler 7.2 V8 engine with Automatic transmission, an all-matching numbers car that has driven only 55,500 KM. The paint is beautiful, has good bodywork, good trims and all chrome details are still shiny. It is also equipped with luxury options such as air conditioning, electric windows and automatic transmission. Originally painted in Old English White with black vinyl roof, the car has since been totally repainted to a period Gun Metal Metallic to a very high standard.
The fact that it is a local delivered car with the right maintenance care, it is in a much better condition than any other imported example. The body and panel gaps are in great alignment. The engine runs great and the car is in a perfect working and driving condition. Restored leather seats and black leather dashboard, plenty of TLC went into this classy interior. The undercarriage is in good condition and corrosion free. It has automatic transmission and air-conditioning. All in all a good quality low mileage Jensen.
Year: 1973
Body: 2 Doors Coupe (2+2 seating)
Exterior: Gun Metal Grey Metallic
Interior: Black
Driver's Sider: RHD
Transmission: Automatic
Indicated Mileage: 55,500KM
Location: Hong Kong
Registration: Hong Kong Registered
History: First delivered and registered in Hong Kong in July 1973. Two owners from new and never left Hong Kong. Although showing "3 previous owners" on the VRD, the car has actually changed hand once. Largely original, matching number and mechanically excellent with restored leather interior. Completely repainted showing slight blemish on exterior. Owner's manual, Full history file, Tools and spare included.
Available Exclusively at Classic Insider. For more info, please contact:
Kenneth Wong
Email: Kenneth@classicinsider.com
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HIGHLIGHTS:
Hong Kong delivered car and only 2 owners from new
Restored, well maintained with an Exceptional History File
A master piece Styled by Carrozzeria Vignale
79 Points out of 100 Condition
SERVICE HISTORY
*Comprehensive service and parts invoice folder is available upon request
BACKGROUND AND HISTORY:
Brothers Alan and Richard Jensen first became involved with car design and construction in 1925 when their efforts to improve on the styling and performance of an Austin Seven Chummy attracted much favourable attention. A few Jensen-bodied Fords were produced in the mid-1930s before a more serious manufacturing effort commenced in 1938. Post-WW2 Jensen kept afloat by producing bodies for other manufacturers, most notably Austin-Healey, while producing its own stylish GTs in limited numbers. It was not until the Interceptor's arrival in 1967 that cars began to leave the West Bromwich factory in large numbers.
The Jensen Interceptor is a Grand touring car which was hand-built at the Kelvin Way Factory in West Bromwich, near Birmingham in England, by Jensen Motors between 1966 and 1976. The Interceptor name had been used previously by Jensen for the Jensen Interceptor made between 1950 and 1957 at the Carters Green factory.
Jensen had extensively used glass-reinforced plastic for the fabrication of body panels in the preceding two decades, but the new Interceptor saw a return to a steel body-shell. The body was designed by an outside firm, Carrozzeria Touring of Italy, rather than the in-house staff.
The early bodies were built in Italy by Vignale, before Jensen took production in house, making some subtle body modifications. Jensen Motors used Chrysler V8 engines for the Interceptor, starting with the 6276 cc with a TorqueFlite automatic transmissions driving the rear wheels through a limited slip differential in a conventional Salisbury rear axle.
The Mark II was announced in October 1969, with slightly revised styling around the headlamps, front grille and bumper and revised rear lights. The interior was substantially revised in order to meet US regulations, and air conditioning was an option.
The Jensen Interceptor Mark III, introduced in 1971, revised the front grille, headlamp finishers and bumper treatment again. It had GKN alloy wheels and air conditioning as standard, and revised seats. The 6.3 litre engine was superseded by the 7.2 litre in 1971.
Jensen had fallen on hard times by 1975, and the company was placed into receivership, and the receivers allowed production to continue until the available cache of parts was exhausted. Production of the Interceptor ended in 1976.
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The information provided on this website has been compiled by Classic Insider with the utmost care. The information contained within this advert is provided ‘as-is’, without warranties as to its accuracy whether expressed or implied and is intended for informational purposes only. Classic Insider is not liable for any errors or mistakes.
