Rare 1973 Jensen Interceptor III Barn Find Physicians Auto Restoration Project

 Up for auction is a 

Rare Jenson Interceptor III

 Detailed Model Information

The Jensen Interceptor is a sporting GT-class car. They were hand-built at the Kelvin Way Factory. West Bromwich near Birmingham in the United Kingdom 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 instead of glass-reinforced plastic and by having the body designed by an outside firm. Carrozzeria Touring of Italy. rather than the in-house staff. The early bodies were Italian-built. by Vignale. before production by Jensen themselves began – with subtle body modifications – in West Bromwich.

 The Interceptor may have taken some styling cues from the Brasinca Uirapuru. with a distinctive large. curving wrap-around rear window that doubled as a tailgate. The original specification included electric windows. reclining front seats. a wood rimmed steering wheel. radio with twin speakers. reversing lights and an electric clock. Power steering was included as standard from September 1968.

The 'Italian Car' Jensen Interceptor was debuted at the October 1966 Earls Court Motor Show alongside the 4-wheel drive FF. Touring of Milan penned the original design. which was taken to Vignale of Turin who had the resources to produce the car in much higher numbers than Touring. By October of 1966 fully trimmed and painted body-shells were sent to Italy for assembly at the Kelvin Way Factory in West Bromwich. near Birmingham. UK. A hand-built sporting GT-class car. the steel body-shelled Interceptor was produced by Jensen Motors from 1966 through 1976. From 1950 until 1957 the Interceptor name had been used previously by Jensen at the Carters Green factory. The original model sported glass-reinforced plastic and was designed in-house unlike the newer model. Vignale in Italy built the original cars. but before long the contract was terminated for not meeting the quality standards required by Jensen and the company became producing the cars themselves at the West Bromwich factory.

The Interceptor was powered by Chrysler V8 engines beginning with the 6276 cc with optional manual or TorqueFlite automatic transmissions that drove the rear wheels in a conventional Salisbury rear axle through a limited slip differential. Producing 335 hp SAE gross or 270 hp SAE net was the 383 c. i. in 1970. Only producing 250 hp SAE net in 1971. this engine was detuned by Chrysler for use with regular gas only and the automotive company chose instead to the use the 440 c. i. Chrysler engine for 1971. Two available offerings for 1971 were two 440 c. i. engines. one with a 4-barrel carb producing 305 hp SAE net. and the other with three 2-barrel carbs producing 330 SAE net. only available in 1971. Holding the distinct honor of being the most powerful Jensen built car. only 232 Interceptors were made with the impressive 440 Six Pak. The 440 c. i. engine with three 2-barrel carbs weren't available for 1972 and the 440 c. i. engine still available was detuned to 280 SAE net. Through 1976 Chrysler continued to offer a high performance 440 c. i. engine when it only pumped 255 hp SAE net.

Some felt the Interceptor sported styling cues reminiscent of the Brasinca Uirapuru. The Interceptor sports a unique curving wrap-around rear window doubling as a tailgate like the Uirapuru. The sleek Interceptor featured front seats that reclined. electric windows. a wood rimmed steering wheel. and an electric clock. reversing lights and a radio with twin speakers. The interior of the car was stylish and obviously Italian. the likes of which had never been found before in the traditionally British Jensen. From September of 1968 power steering became a standard feature.

In the fall of 1969. Jensen announced the introduction of the Mark II. This second generation arrived on the scene with updated styling around the front grill. front bumper and headlamps. The dashboard was completely restyled and new ventilated disc brakes replaced the previous un-ventilated discs. The front suspension was redesigned replacing the king-pin type that was carried over from the C-V8 with independent. coil sprung. ball jointed wishbones. and telescopic type dampers replacing the lever arm ones. Girling triple piston calipers replaced twin piston Dunlop calipers front and rear which improved the braking. Radial tires were added.

Yet another revamp was introduced in 1971 with the Mark III. The third generation introduced an updated bumper treatment. a revised front grille and headlamp finishers. The seats were also updates and optional fully cast alloy wheels along with some other slight updates. This year Jensen introduced the 7. 2-liter 440ci engine. which replaced the 6. 3-liter 383ci engine. Depending on the production year the Mark III Interceptor was divided to G-. H-. J-series.

Detailed Condition Information

 Overall condition: This car is a restoration project but was almost always garaged so this is a really solid project!  The vehicle does not start but we had it running as recently as a month ago.   We are not sure what caused it to stall.   The car rolled off hand made back in February of 1973.

Engine: We believe the motor is original and we will add the number soon.    It needed a tune up and likely the gas tank drained and cleaned. The value covers are not original as they lack the tell tale. "Jensen" logo.   We cannot determine if the mileage is accurate.   It could be 26. 00 miles or it could be 126. 00 miles.   My guess is the former and not the latter because it was garaged by a Chicago are doctor as his weekend or second car.

Exterior: Lots of little scratches and imperfections but it wouldn't take that much to get this car back to a "3" out of 5.   It needs a repaint but you can see much of the imperfections because the paint it original.

Interior: The interior is generally presentable and better than the typical unrestored interior.   I will add many photos shortly. The Oxblood color is still strong as is the wood grain shifting area.   The steering wheel is gray.   The original Lear cassette player is still installed.

Glass: The glass appears to be original and is in good shape. It has a tint to the back window.

Battery: the battery is about two years old and holds a charge but is now drained from trying to get it to fire up.

Tires: The tires are fairly good.   I would say that the front tires have 50% left on them.   The back 90% of the tread remaining and are much newer than the front set.   The rims appear to be original.  

  Paint:  The paint appears to be original and is consistent with one of the Jensen colors of that period.    There are spots that are missing and that show the primer layer.

Title:  The title is a clear.   I believe that the car would be exempt from smog in California because of the year. Please check the rules in your area.

Detailed Auction Information

Please note that the winning bidder must contact us within 24 hours of auction end. and make arrangements for payment at that time. A non-refundable $500. 00 deposit is due within 24 hours of end of auction. The remainder is due within 3 days of Auction end. If no contact is made within 24 hours we will go forward with the non-paying bidder procedure and sell it otherwise.

Buyer is responsible for pickup or shipping of this vehicle. If you wish to have it shipped using a service. then you are still responsible for all payment and pickup time requirements.   Miles as shown on odometer and are not guaranteed as actual. All sales are final and "as is".  

If you are not sure about something. Please ASK before placing a bid. Do not assume anything not listed is included. We reserve the right to cancel bids for excessive negative feedback. We have the right to end the auction early.   Serious bidders only! First time buyers to Ebay must contact me prior to bidding or face bid retraction. Although we do our best to describe these vehicles. these are previously owned vehicles and there is a possibility that we might overlook some appearance and mechanical details. We do our best to list any major defects in appearance or running condition.   As a result. we do not guarantee this item at all. We strongly recommend you inspect this item BEFORE bidding. We also recommend you tow your vehicle away and have it checked out by a certified mechanic before driving - regardless of its condition. If we do not require the vehicle to be towed and you choose to drive your vehicle from our location. then you do so completely at your own risk.  It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle. and to have satisfied himself as to the condition and value to bid based upon that judgment solely.

This vehicle is being sold as is where is. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.   

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