1971 Jensen Interceptor Mk II

Built on the 19th of February 1971 for a Mr. Follett, ‘DLM 26J’ is a very nicely restored Jensen Interceptor MKII that’s been given a subtle twist.

Owned by the seller’s late father, this rare MKII car was used by his parents for high days and holidays including outings to local classic car shows. 
 

The Jensen left the factory painted Berkeley Brown, which might have been a very of-the-period colour, but we think most will be happy to sacrifice an element of originality in favour of the delightful silvery-blue you see here.

As well as a change of colour, the restorative work brought the Jensen bang-up-to-date with a pair of carbon weave-effect bumpers, a modern twist that suits the Interceptor’s retro-lines perfectly.

Adding to the illusion are the black-and-silver numberplates, which work in conjunction with the headlamps and clear front indicators to give the front of the Jensen a very clean, almost futuristic, look.

The black vinyl roof and chromed sill covers do a great job of guiding the Interceptor gently back to the halcyon days of the seventies, while the curved rear screen ensures that even non-car folk recognise this for the icon it is.

Its overall condition is excellent, with even the smaller details underpinning our impression that this was a high-end restoration. Admire then the louvres in the bonnet and front wings, which run straight and even; the badges, which are gently patinated and yet sit easily against the fresh paintwork; the carefully applied twin pinstripes that run down each flank; and the presence of new chrome trim.

It can be hard to strike a balance when restoring a car but we think this one straddles the line between originality and usability perfectly.

The grille even wears a Jensen Owners Club badge, which is never a bad thing.

The five-spoke, 15-inch alloy wheels are in as good a condition as everything else. Free of the sort of scuffs and scrapes a careless owner might inflict on them, the silver and black rims are also fitted with matching 215/70R15 Venezia Classic 787 whitewall tyres.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

As for damage or obvious flaws, both rear lamp cluster have cracks in them but that’s about the extent of the issues we can see. 
 

If the exterior is minty-fresh, the interior has been allowed to retain some of its patina, which we admire; after all, a classic car is the very definition of a discretionary purchase, so we’re usually driven by our hearts rather than our heads – and a lot of us actively search for the sort of romance a gently crumpled hide interior hints at.

And, gently worn or not, few cabins are as inspiring as that of the Interceptor; with deep leather seats, a sporty three-spoke steering wheel, a bank of instruments and switches, and a wide transmission tunnel, this is seventies’ motoring at its finest.

And, like the coachwork, the details are as beguiling as the Big Picture stuff. Like the pillowy soft headrest cushions, the period Philips radio, and the way the curved rear seat securely cups its occupants.

The leather has weathered the passage of more than half a century impressively well and is generally in a good condition, especially on the door cards. The front seats do show some colour loss and creasing, but there’s plenty of life left in them yet. 
 

Lift the heavy bonnet, and the first thing to draw your eye is the Edelbrock carburettor’s chrome cover, a dash of flash that sets the tone under the bonnet. Huge and wonderfully shiny, it leaves you in no doubt that the Interceptor is powered by some serious engineering.

This introduction to the 6.3-litre Golden Commando V8 engine doesn’t flatter to deceive either because the history file includes a rolling road report from October 2020 that shows it develops 225bhp and 360lb.ft of torque.

As you can see, the starter motor fires the big V8 into immediate life, while simultaneously injecting a hefty dose of adrenaline into the driver’s veins.

It rumbles and burbles at idle with good oil pressure, and when provoked the induction rasp at one end is joined by a profundo exhaust note at the other.

Few cars sound as good as a well-sorted Interceptor.

Work to do appears to be minimal although those of a fastidious nature might like to tidy up some of the wiring.

The underside is very good too, and while there are a few odd spots of flaking underseal, this doesn’t look like it’s anything more than a cosmetic issue at this stage.

NB: Some spares are included. Please see the photos for details.
 

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar the marker for having a change of colour.

The history file also includes the original build card and inspection sheets, plus repair invoices and guarantee claims dating back to 1971.

But please don’t think that it’s been neglected recently because there are plenty of bills, some of them substantial, for work since then including the restoration in 2018-20.

The Jensen doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies… 
 

If you like Old School bruisers with an impeccable pedigree (and Oliver Reed’s thirst) then an Interceptor would be right up your street.

And if it is, and you don’t fancy the hard graft of restoring one, then this example will save you a lot of effort – and money.

Because no one comes out of a restoration with anything left in the kitty, so to find an example that someone else has done the heavy lifting on makes complete sense.

Especially when the estimate is as low as this.

How low? Somewhere between £23,000 and £28,000 low, which is an absurdly small sum for a car like this.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.