1973 Jensen Interceptor III

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported from the Middle East under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond. Car older than 30 years are subject to the lower rate 5% import tax if the car is to remain in the UK & purchased by a private individual.

The 5% is calculated on the final selling price. For example, if the car sells for £18,000, then £900 is added, making the total amount payable £18,900. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 10% duty + VAT plus 20% import VAT.

A company buying the car will have to pay VAT on the hammer price, as well as duty + VAT. If you plan to export the car to your location, then you will only pay tax in that country, and can ignore these fees.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable.

Lastly, there will be a nominal administration fee of £350 for removing the car from bond and generating a NOVA from HMRC, and payable direct to the shipping company. A completed and processed NOVA will provide you formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK and is required to register the vehicle with the DVLA.

In common with the majority of cars in this collection, this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

We have not tried to start or drive the car, so it will require recommissioning and is sold ‘as seen’. We cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality.

It is available for view and inspection at our HQ near Abingdon and we will be pleased to show the car to you and/or your appointed engineer.

In common with most cars from the vendor’s collection it comes to us with no history or service records, although we do have a facsimile of an old V5 document for the car.

We know it was first registered on 5.4.73.

We know its chassis number is 1368413 and its engine number is 3698004409.

We know it was bought for the vendor’s collection from Classicmobilia Ltd of Milton Keynes in May 2012.

We know the odometer currently reads 81,215 miles.

And we know that on the occasion of its 2008 MoT its mileage was recorded as being 80,572.

We haven’t tried to start or drive the car and can therefore only attest to its cosmetic condition.

The car has a Royal Blue exterior and black interior.

Aside from a tiny dink on the n/s/r wing the car is largely untroubled by any dents, creases, ripples or folds of significance.

The paintwork is good in parts, less so in others, and there’s evidence of a respray on the n/s/r wing and wheel arch which looks as if it may be concealing some underlying bubbling.

The panel gaps and shut-lines are consistent and even and the doors close with plenty of weight and precision.

The wheels are OK but the n/s/f tyre is flat.

There are some chips and bubbling around the n/s/f wheel arch and a few scratches and scuffs on the n/s/f wing and passenger door.

There’s also some bubbling to be seen around the o/s/f wheel arch and on the o/s/r wing around and under the bumper.

There are a few paint chips around the leading edge of the bonnet.

The chrome work throughout is fairly good, although there is some foxing and pitting on the rear bumper.

The windscreen is delaminating in a couple of places and part of one wiper is missing.

There is some staining by the Jensen badge at the rear and some bubbling visible below the boot lid.

The black interior is pretty good and appears to be entirely original and authentic. It has a pleasingly ‘of the period’ look and patina to it and, although showing signs of use and wear in places, is in decent condition both for the car’s age and mileage.

The one notable exception to the good news is the fact that moths and their pesky offspring have had an impressive stab at eating the carpets.

The black leather seats are good all-round although, like so many of us, the driver’s seat is looking a little weary around the bolsters.

We’re confident that the seats could be returned to their sumptuous former glory with the application of some decent leather cleaner, feed and elbow grease.

The headlining is intact, taut and in fine condition.

The door cards look fairly good but could do with being shown a soapy chamois.

The steering wheel, dashboard, instruments and all interior fixtures and fittings look to be in good order.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t tried to start or drive the vehicle.

There is some rust and flaking to be seen underneath and you will, of course, want to judge its extent and significance for yourself.

The car has a stainless-steel exhaust system which, as far as we can see, is living up to the promise of the ‘lifetime guarantee’ label attached to it.

The engine and engine bay are clean, tidy and everything looks to be in its right and proper place.

The car doesn’t come with a service history or any record of work done.

Currently, it has neither an MoT certificate nor a current V5 (but it does come with a facsimile of a previous V5).

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

Any paperwork shown in the gallery in no way constitutes any kind of current licensing or registration certification.

We haven’t tried to start or drive the car so our understanding of it is somewhat limited.

There are some issues to address, inside and out but, provided the car’s engine and mechanicals are in proper working order and amenable to recommissioning, we think this 1973 RHD Jensen Interceptor III has sufficient underlying quality (and rarity) to merit the time and effort required.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £18,000 - £26,000, plus Bonhams bond payment and £350 NOVA fee.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.