1973 Jensen Interceptor

First registered in 1973, this Jensen Interceptor MKIII has the full-fat 7.2-litre V8 under the bonnet – and yet even that wasn’t enough for a previous owner because it’s also been fitted with some interesting tuning bits as well as a new fuel and ignition system. 

We imagine it goes very well indeed.

The subject of a serious investment by both its previous and current keepers, it still offers its next owner the chance to add value by finishing up the few jobs that remain outstanding, not least because it’s being offered with no reserve so will sell from the very first bid, no matter how derisory that might be.

Food for thought, eh?

With consistent shutlines and an absence of dents, dings and other damage, the red coachwork on this Jensen looks terrific, doesn’t it? The chap who’s selling it is a dealer who’s sold 64 of these to date, so he knows that one of the Interceptor’s few problems is the bodywork – so when he says this is “good and solid and straight” he’s speaking with the benefit of an awful lot of hard-won experience.

Originally brown, it’s new and slightly in-your-face red colour is very of the period too and we love the vibrancy it brings to the illegal rave that is the Interceptor.

The 15-inch alloy wheels aren’t only in a decent condition but they are also fitted with a set of Toyo Proxes tyres that all have good tread left on them.

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 work still to do there is some rust on the offside rear wing, the bonnet, the offside front wing, the nearside door, the front and rear valences, and the tailgate. 

There is also some micro-blistering to the paint, pitting and rust to the chrome on the rear bumper and the window frames, and the rear bumper doesn’t sit straight. 

Yes, the interior is grubby and could do with being valeted but if you can get past that – and you should, because few jobs would be more satisfying or transformational than a deep-clean – you’ll see it’s actually in a good condition.

The tan leather seats in the front are still plump and shapely, and while a few of the stitches have eased a little, the actual leather is still in a good condition with only one small hole on the outer bolster of the driver’s seat. 

The rear seats are even better, the pleated headlining is still taut and undamaged, and the door cards and the rest of the leather trim also looks good.

The Moto-Lita steering wheel is a terrific touch and the wooden gearknob looks like something a 1960’s Bond villain would use to launch a missile. 

Aside from the need for a good clean and feed of the leather, the carpet in the driver’s foot well could do with being replaced. That done, you’d be left, we imagine, with a nicely patinated interior you could be proud of. 

The Jensen had been converted to run on LPG and that conversion included the removal of the entire fuel system including the petrol tank, fuel lines, and carburettor.

The seller removed the LPG system and reinstated the bits that had been taken off, which wasn’t only a huge undertaking but an expensive one as you can see from the invoices.

The engine was rebuilt in 2008 to a higher specification than standard, starting with the engine being stripped down to a bare block. It was then re-bored and reassembled with a reground and balanced crankshaft and resized connecting rods, new bronze valve guides and valve seat inserts, new competition bearings, new forged high-compression pistons, rings and pins, a high-volume oil pump, a performance camshaft, and a full competition exhaust including, later, tubular headers.

It’s had plenty more work undertaken recently including a water pump, alternator, HT leads, and battery, so it’s well worth browsing the 92 photographs that comprise its history file to see for yourself what’s been done by the seller as well as well-known experts such a Cropredy Bridge Garage, CJBS, Martin Robey, and others.

We are told the engine is good but it arrived with us with a flat battery, so we haven’t been able to film it starting and running as we usually would.

The Interceptor 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… 

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

Yes, it needs some work but the Interceptor is a bona fide legend and is always in demand, which makes our guide price of between £20,000 and £30,000 seem reasonable, not least because it offers the winning bidder the opportunity to have an awful lot of fun for not a lot of money.

Sadly, the vendor is losing his garage premises, which means it’s got to go no matter what so he’s prepared to offer it with no reserve: That already impressive fun-to-cost ratio might end up being even better than you think.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, 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, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.