1974 Other Makes

1974 Jensen Interceptor

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.

For consignment we have one of only 4,225 Mk 3 units built between August of 1971 and December of 1976. A 2-owner car with a documented mere 34,732 miles. Front seats covered in Connelly Leather, and new Wilton carpeting throughout, with the rear compartment retaining its factory carpeting. Also new Harrington polished stainless bumpers and overriders and bathed in triple blue, truly a rare bird and look to take flight to your driveway.

ExteriorThis car takes the pony concept, (long front and short rear with 2 doors), to its limits courtesy designer Vignale, with the long bonnet which is vented, and sports the Nordic wing badge. The rear glass that is curved downward and wrapping the back B pillars in greenhouse glass form, the lines on this sports car are just beautiful and pretty much unchanged since its inception. Dual headlights and horizontal ribs make up the grille and a stainless polished bumper is below. On the front quarters is an angled side vent, and the stainless richer trim below which runs between the wheel wells. The slightly sloping roof is covered in blue vinyl and has chromed drip edges, chromed window surrounds, chromed side view mirrors and of course chromed inset door handles. Gaps are nicely minded, and this model is made from all steel. It is painted in a triple blue respray to match as it was delivered from the factory. Of course, the "glasshouse" boot lid on the back reveals 12 cubic feet of storage, and more if you remove a few knurled nuts and the rear parcel shelf which can accommodate a full size suitcase. A gracefully rounded over rear under the glass shows the tail lighting license holder and another stainless steel highly polished bumper below. Five spoke alloy wheels are wrapped in nicely treaded Michelins and are held on with 5 lugs.

InteriorWide doors which have been recently fitted with new seals, have automatic red warning lights on their rear edges when open, their quarter lights are fixed. Their main windows moved rapidly by electricity only when the ignition is on, the passenger door can be locked electrically and remotely by a switch on the driver's door, though there is an overriding manual lock too. Six separate Connolly leather hides are used in each Interceptor, boasts Jensen, and they're certainly put to good and beautiful use. The front seats are exquisitely comfortable, have reclining back-rests and built-in headrests, each with a blue leather covered cushion attached by Velcro and have map-pockets in their rears. Rear seats are deeply and separately shaped, split by a wide armrest containing two ash-trays and continue on with the front console. There is not a lot of legroom when front bucket seats are in normal driving position, however the rear seats are luxuriously comfortable. As the blue padded leather console moves towards the dash where it houses the shift lever, and then gently ascends towards the dash where the climate knobs, stereo with 8 track player and various toggles reside. Above on the dash fascia are a series of eyeball vents to direct air anywhere in the cabin and a centrally located clock with some extra gauges above, all aimed at the driver's vision. The panel that these are inserted within, changes to black and continues with the instrument cluster where large round gauges (speedo and tach) are mounted with some warning lighting. A wood rimmed steering wheel with 3 drilled stainless spokes and the J badge front this beautifully preserved dash. Black Wilton carpeting covers the floors, and above is a horizontally ribbed slightly padded white headliner.

DrivetrainA forward rising of the bonnet reveals Chrysler 440ci V8 which codes out as a factory provided engine. On top is a 4-barrel carburetor, and on back throwing power towards the 3.07 axle is an A727 Torqueflite transmission in 3-speed automatic form. All looking very nice under this vented bonnet.

UndercarriageThe care of this car can be summed up in one visual cue, that being the condition of the alloy wheel spare. Any spare tire that has spent this much time below exposed to the elements would be in a much lesser condition, but this spare wheel is pristine, so it has not been in too many adverse element conditions! All the rest is neatly undercoated and rust free. Independent coil springs and leaf springs make up the suspension, and power disc brakes are on all 4 corners. Consigner states the petrol tank has been cleaned and etched.

Drive-AbilityThis car fired right up and wanted to be unleashed, so we took the collar off and on the test track it was impressive. Great handling, snappy acceleration, and smooth auto trans shifting. It had a neat sound from the dual cherrybomb muffler exhaust. All functions including ice cold A/C were working to my satisfaction. Bully!

After more than seven years, the almost futuristic Vignale body style is almost undated and the Jensen Interceptor remains the epitome of the high-speed executive express. This hand-built West Bromwich product rivals that product from Crewe in terms of comfort and silence, is more relaxing to drive because it is more compact and has far more precise handling and is faster. "'What more could a man require who doesn't want an out-and-out sports car, but wants something more individual that an XJ12"? Cheerio!

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.