Jensen SP (Interceptor)

This auction is for a 1972 Jensen SP. The SP is a high performance version of the Interceptor. The SP was fitted with the 440 cubic inch (7. 2 litre) Chrysler big block engine. Unlike standard Interceptors the SP was not fitted with a Carter Thermoquad carburettor. It was fitted with three twin choke Holley carburettors together with performance cam and pistons.  This made the SP the most powerful car ever produced by Jensen Motors Ltd. When new the SP was rated at 385 bhp which resulted in a 0-60 time of roughly 7. 5 seconds and a top speed of 143mph. For more information please read Richard Calver's excellent webpage: http://www. richardcalver. com/article_sp. htm This SP is chassis number 131/4778. It was first registered in August 1972. It has until very recently been owned by the same gent since 1979. The car is MOT tested until late July and taxed until the end of June. (It is of course a historic vehicle therefore free road tax. ) I have taken the car on some local test runs and she seems to drive well. The mileage of 59. 00 is genuine and is supported by original MOT test certificates. The car is painted in its original colour of reef blue with tan hide. The underside of the car appears all solid. There are signs of previous welding repairs which are well undersealed and appear to be holding up well.   Bodywork - the SP has at some stage lost its louvred bonnet. These are available from Appleyards or Robeys for roughly £1. 00.  The solid bonnet currently fitted to the car I would describe as solid but poorly finished. The front valance is poor and ideally requires replacement. The wings and rear quarters are fair. There is evidence of old repairs but they are reasonably straight. The front panel (badge panel) is good. The roof is good. The tailgate has clearly been replaced at some stage during the life of the car. It is fair however I would advise a new owner to source a good second-hand replacement which fits well. The rear panel has some evidence of accident repairs but these appear to have been well done. The bumpers are solid and unless you're very fussy do not require work. (NB - all panels are available new and compared to some marques are relatively inexpensive. ) Engine and transmission - the car starts quickly and idles smoothly. It has good compression and sounds very hearty when revved. Regrettably the car has at some stage in its life been converted from six-pack set up to a Carter Thermoquad carburettor. However brand new six pack carbs are available from the USA. The gearbox changes smoothly. the fluid is a nice red colour. Interior - the interior is best described as tired. The rear seats clean up reasonably well and would no doubt respond to some sympathetic feeding with hide foot or similar. The front seats are comfortable but would benefit from retrimming or replacing with good second-hand items. Other- the exhaust system is solid. The car comes with its SP grille badge but does not have its "Jensen SP" rear panel badge and blue Jensen bonnet badge. (The SP had a blue bonnet badge like the FF whereas standard Interceptors had red badges. ) These items can be obtained from the Jensen parts dealers. The stainless steel hatch trims are in the boot. I shall endeavour to fit them before the auction end. The car has been MOTed and taxed for the last eight years. I have MOTs and tax discs in support of this. The car lived in London and was not garaged hence the average condition of the outer body panels. During the last few years it has done on average less than 100 miles between MOT tests (yes. one hundred. ) I see one of two potential buyer types buying this car. (1) an enthusiast who is after a rolling restoration type car to use and enjoy and improve when finances allow or (b) an enthusiast who has the budget to undertake a full restoration on an Interceptor and fancies an SP for its rarity and prestige. Of the roughly 6. 00 Interceptors built only 219 were right hand drive SPs.   I would encourage anyone seriously interested in buying this SP to contact me with a view to examining the car. I shall end by referring readers to the comments that Quentin Wilson made in last week's Sunday Mirror motoring page. He stated that in his opinion Interceptor prices are likely to treble over the next couple of years and he expects good cars to be achieving £50-£100k. An immaculate SP was recently sold by a London dealer for £50k. Appleyards have a very tidy example for sale at present for £37. 00. If Quentin is correct maybe now is the time to invest in an affordable Jensen SP.

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