1974 Jensen Interceptor

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond and is therefore 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 £25,000, then £1,250 is added, making the total amount payable of £26,250.

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 £250 for processing the NOVA application, 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 thus allow you 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 started or driven the car so cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

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

With the proviso that we haven’t been able to start or drive this car and can therefore only attest to its cosmetic condition, we think this 1974 Jensen Interceptor III

is an honest, original and relatively well-preserved low-mileage example of both the marque and the model.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, the car comes with no history or service records.

We know that the car was first registered new in the UK on 27.8.74.

We know that on the occasion of its last MoT on 9.8.11, its mileage was recorded as 49,959.

We know that, today, the odometer reads 51,912 miles.

We know that it was bought by a gentleman from Barrow-In-Furness on 31.8.2011.

We know that it was last taxed (for 6 months) on 7.1.12.

We also know that it was sold by Classicmobilia Ltd of Milton Keynes, via a Swiss intermediary, into the vendor’s collection of static display cars on 10.5.12.

And we’re guessing from the badges above the front bumper that at least one of its previous owners enjoyed racing powerboats somewhere in Lancashire.

The bodywork is fairly true, the panels are straight, and there are relatively few dinks, dents, creases, folds, nicks or scrapes to report.

From 5 metres, this is a very attractive and eye-catching example of a Series III Interceptor.

Get closer and it becomes evident that there is some bubbling and blistering in various places around the bodywork.

The bonnet has perhaps the most notable bubbling, but there are other examples to be found on the front wings, on the passenger door, below the rear screen and in various places along the sills.

That said, the bubbling is by no means endemic and much of it appears to be superficial. But it will need to be addressed and, obviously, sooner would be better than later.

The chrome work is pretty good in most places, although there are some scratches here, and a spot of foxing there.

The wheels, which appear to be basically sound, could no doubt be refurbished without too much trouble or expense.

The petrol filler flap has decided that it no longer wants to close.

The interior is really pretty good – and impressively original and authentic.

The leather front seats have a patina consistent with their age and could do with being shown a damp cloth, but they’re comfortable, supportive, functional and undamaged.

The rear seats look to have been rarely visited by passengers and are in very decent fettle.

The carpets are good all-round, as are the door cards, headlining, sun visors and the leather around the centre console

The dashboard, instruments, gear selector and steering wheel are very much of their era and are in strong condition.

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

The boot looks good and is currently home to assorted mats and a box of sundry parts. Lifting up the carpets here or elsewhere in the car reveals nothing more alarming than the expected bloom of rust dust.

As expected, there is some rust and flaking in and around the sills, but the extent to which this extends, or whether or not it affects the structural integrity of the vehicle, are questions you’ll want to answer for yourself.

Everything appears to be in its right and proper place in the (very full) engine bay.

Although we haven’t started the engine, we have turned it by hand and can say that it isn’t seized.

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

Currently, it has neither an MoT certificate nor a V5.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

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

That said, provided the car’s engine and mechanicals prove to be in proper working order, we think this could well be a particularly good example.

Yes, there is some bubbling to attend to on the bodywork and the sills will need looking at. But the underlying car seems to us to be fundamentally sound and well worth restoring to some or all of its former glory.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £25,000 - £35,000, plus Bonhams bond payment and £250 NOVA fee.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; 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’.