1971 Jensen Interceptor Mk2

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 modern twist.

Our seller bought ‘DLM 26J’ from us back in May of this year, attracted by the presence of a J-series engine as much as its stunning condition and understated modernity.

He planned to further improve areas like the interior during his ownership, but the unplanned need to buy a new daily driver means his newly-purchased classic has to go much sooner than planned. 
 

The factory colour of Berkeley Brown has been changed to a fetching shade of silvery-blue, a move that saw it gain timeless elegance albeit it, possibly, at the loss of a little period charm.  

The resto-mod also brought with it a pair of carbon weave-effect bumpers, a modern twist that suits the Interceptor’s retro-lines perfectly and brings to mind cars like the Singer 911, something the clear front indicators and pressed aluminium black-and-silver numberplates reinforce.

Yet that futuristic look is tempered by the continued presence of a black vinyl roof and chromed sill covers, both stalwarts of the late sixties and seventies; if you’re going to drive a classic, you want to maintain a few key touchpoints.

The curved rear screen, one of the Interceptor’s most distinctive flourishes, quite literally rounds off the car’s profile, while smaller features like the quality of the louvres in the bonnet and front wings hint at the car with which the car has been curated since being repainted.

Another nice touch are the badges, which have been left in their gently patinated state, something you might worry looks scruffy, but the result is (yet another) gentle nod to the car’s 50-year past.

New pinstripes have been applied though, as has a fair quantity of chrome brightwork: Balancing the competing demands generated by a restoration is a tricky task, but this one shows you can modernize a car without ripping out its soul.

The five-spoke, 15-inch alloy wheels are free of scuffs, scrapes, and other kerbing damage, and they are 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.

The presence of a badge on the radiator grille proclaiming membership of the Jensen Owners’ Club and a Vignale badge on the boot seal the deal.

The black vinyl roof is in an excellent condition with only slight bubbling in one small spot. The rubber overriders are also free of scuffs and scrapes, and the overall impression is of a car that hasn’t seen a lot of use since being restored.

Which leaves little in the way of obvious flaws bar cracked rear light lenses, a perished seal around the top of the passenger’s door, very light wrinkling to the rear of the roof, a mark across the pinstripe on the offside rear wing, and tarnishing and pitting to the chrome on the B-pillars and the driver’s door handle.
 

The interior retains much of its hard-won patina, most obviously in the leather covering the two front seats, which has lost some colour and gained some cracks, including a deep one on the outer edge of the base of the driver’s seat.

Yet, like Clint Eastwood, to our eyes this aging adds character without losing any of its charm. #YMMV may vary and if you prefer your car’s looking a little less lived in then there is no shortage of trimmers who would sort it out for you.

But, our advice would be to live with it for a while and to take the time to absorb some of that romance and history before you make any decisions you might regret.

Because there is an awful lot to like in here. The basic design, for a start, including seats that include soft pillows for headrests, a sporty steering wheel, and a bank of instruments and controls that wouldn’t look out of place in an aeroplane.

The wide transmission tunnel is very of-the-period too, as are the individual rear seats that cup their occupants like an Arne Jacobsen chair – and that rear seat is in an excellent condition, as is the pleated headlining. The back of the front seats is in a decent condition too, as are the door cards, so if you did decide to get the facings of the front seats retrimmed, you could probably leave most of the rest as it is.

Not the rear quarter panels though, nor the cubby box lid as these are damaged.

You could also add tidying the boot to the list of jobs to do. Ditto replacing the gear knob, although you could probably do these yourself.

Finally, while the Philips radio might look better than it sounds, who cares about listening to music when you’ve got a Golden Commando under the bonnet?
 

And what an engine it is! Boasting the highly desirable J-series, which has a higher compression ratio than the emissions-driven, low-compression G-series that replaced it, the early MKII Interceptors enjoy better performance than the cars that came after them.

Better handling too, as the engine in this one weighs less than the 7.2-litre Jensen was forced to fit in an attempt to compensate for the loss of performance caused by their quest to conquer America.

Most therefore consider the eastly MKII cars like this one to be the sweet spot in the Interceptor line-up.

As you’ll have predicted by now, this one runs well. The Powerlite starter motor spinning the 6.3-litre Golden Commando V8 engine into life with ease, and the Edelbrock carburettor gulps air with a satisfying rasp that hints at the car’s proven 225bhp and 360lb.ft of torque.

It rumbles and burbles at a steady idle, never letting you forget that even more noise is only an ankle-flex away. It’s got good oil pressure too, and one of the best exhaust notes of its era.

The engine bay is dominated by a chrome air filter cover, a nice touch that sets the scene for the rest of the ancillaries. Sure, you could tidy up some of the wiring if you are of a fastidious nature but most of us will be too mesmerized by the engine to notice anything else.

The underside looks very good too. Some of the underseal is flaking away in places but this should be easy to sort out as it doesn’t look to be anything more than a cosmetic issue at this point; the MoT record runs out in 2017 but up to that point no tester had ever mentioned structural corrosion.

We’ve spotted a stainless-steel exhaust under there too, and the Jensen comes with some spares. Please see the photos for details of what is included.
 

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.

Please don’t think that it’s been neglected since then though because there are plenty of bills, some of them substantial, for work since then including the restoration in 2018-21.

It’s even got a rolling road report from October 2020 that confirms the J-series engine produces 225bhp alongside 360lb.ft of torque.

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… 
 

We’ve got a bit of a soft spot for the Jensen Interceptor because it looks amazing, goes very well, and converts money into noise better than almost anything else.

It’s got real presence too, and everyone loves ‘em, which will make a difference every single time you drive it; spend the same amount of money on a Porsche and you’ll be blanked at every junction, but in this they’ll be falling over themselves to let you out.

We can also guarantee a conversation every time you fill it up – and given the Interceptor’s prodigious thirst, that means you’ll be doing a lot of talking.

And all this could be yours for between £25,000 and £30,000, which represents a fraction of what it would cost you to restore one yourself.

Sure, there jobs still to do, but you’ll be doing them in the knowledge you’ll be adding value at every stage

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’.