1974 Jensen Interceptor

In 1971 the Interceptor was released in MKIII guise with the engine uprated to the 440 cubic inch (7.2L) version of the Chrysler V8 in 1973. Being now in its ultimate, and most developed guise the Interceptor III was the most successful achieving the highest production figures of any Jensen at 3432.

Our example is indeed a MKIII example from January 1974 and considered to be a sought after “J-series model” based in its “4C” engine number prefix. The car left West Bromwich (Jensen were building their own bodies at this stage) in a black livery with a tan vinyl roof and tan upholstery. The Jensen’s 2244 chassis number prefix denotes the car as a factory right hand drive model for the “home market or the Far East."

As it happens the car was exported to meet its first owner, a Mr Hwang Chi, in Hong Kong. The car remained in Hong Kong before being re-imported to the UK in 1977. The second owner, Mr Monaghan of Glasgow, bought the car in 1979. At this stage it had covered a mere 9,000 miles. Mr Monaghan placed the car in storage in 1984 before eventually parting with it in 1989. Third owner kept the car only briefly buying it with 16,800 miles recorded, but the fourth, a Mr Jones, picked up numerous awards in the late 1990’s with it at various Jensen Owners Club Concours d’Elegance. In 2001 the Interceptor was sold to a new owner in Wales and subsequently into the hands of Bespoke Auto Developments restoration company. Here a bare metal respray (in 2013), and suspension rebuild was performed. The engine was also rebuilt to include new pistons, performance cams, and exhaust manifold.

Current owner, Derek, acquired the Interceptor in 2014 as a finished project. Despite that Derek commissioned various well-chosen refinements and upgrades from specialists Bespoke Auto Developments. These included improvements to engine and suspension and the fitting of a tuned exhaust system. A later A500/A518 transmission was fitted with manual overdrive. Cooling and lighting systems have been upgraded together with more modern air-condition componentry. What a stunning example!
 

Touring Superleggera were never going to come up with anything less than sublime for the second-generation Interceptor, of course. It’s blend of Anglo-American charms led Jay Leno to aptly describe it as “like a Dodge Coronet that went to college at Oxford,” wearing a finely tailored Italian suit presumably. 

Our car still presents in its original black livery but now doing without the original vinyl roof. This finish is thought to date from around 2001 and looks pretty good on it, too. The paintwork is smooth and professionally applied and mainly without notable defect. There is a minor degree of bubbling in places such as around the rear window, but you need to be at close quarters to spot it.

The brightwork and cabin glass all appears to be in excellent shape with that impressively shaped rear window compete with splaying heating elements looking as eye catching as usual. The higher calibre than usual, upward inclined, straight tailpipes look particularly impressive, and lend some clues as to the power lurking beneath the sharp suit.

Unusually but commendably, the Interceptor rests on a set of the original and correct GKN five spoke alloy wheels. These are 17-inch items with an open design and presenting in good condition. There is a jot of kerb rash noted and a little staining to the spoke faces. It is minor, however, and easily rectified if desired. These are shod with a matching set of recent looking Pirelli P6000 tyres in a 235/50 configuration.
 

The cabin of the Interceptor was described in Jensen’s own brochure as a “sports touring car with adequate seating for four people and a boot to match.” Presumably the slightly lukewarm “adequate” provides some leeway if your rear seat passengers are a little on the large side.

There is plenty of room in the front, however, and the upholstery in this example is courtesy of a supple grey leather stitched into a Bentley-esque diamond pattern to the seat centres. The leather for these is perforated whilst the smooth bolsters wear unperforated hide. The rear seats are actually surprisingly commodious and identically trimmed. The whole treatment back here is decidedly sculptural with only the head and leg room likely to fall short for some.

The door cards are dressed in matching grey leather and even feature the stitched diamond motif to the arm rest tops. The headlining is the delightful signature Interceptor arrangement of padded and padded and pleated fabric. The carpets present in a complementary grey shade.

The dashboard serves up an appropriate level of drama and theatre for a car named Interceptor. A full set of seven (including the clock) instruments are fitted and are of the British Jaeger, white on black variety.

The speedometer and tachometer are directly ahead of the driver. Four auxiliary gauges have individual deep-set positions in the centre and are canted significantly towards the driver. Beneath these sit four eyeball air vents, the clock and lower still a bank of chunky rocker switches. A period Becker Monza cassette player is also noted. The generous boot is carpeted in black and houses a bagged car cover.
 

The power output of the behemoth Chrysler V8’s output was hotly disputed in the 1970’s with a change from gross horsepower to nett happening around this time just confusing matters. The detail aside contemporary road tests recorded top speeds in excess of 130mph and 0-60mph times in the eights.

This car has benefitted from numerous upgrades during its history, too. Some likely to enhance power output and delivery and most sure to enhance the driving experience on today’s crowded roads. Chief amongst these is the fitment of the 1989 Chrysler Torqueflight transmission with manual overdrive.

On lifting the forward hinged bonnet, the physical heft of the V8 is evident. The canted, Jensen embossed cam covers are so far apart that the steering wheel sized Edelbrock air cleaner and cover doesn’t come close to filling the gap between them. The condition under here is very good overall and clearly well cared for and oft visited. The underside of the Jensen is clean, straight and well finished, too.
 

When our document archive extends to over 100 images, as it does here, you can be pretty sure the maintenance of a car has been diligent. Our archive starts with the V5 registration document in the name of the owner. The Jensen is an Historic Vehicle based on age and so considered MoT exempt and zero rated for excise duty in the UK. The car was last MoT’d in 2016 at 77,776 miles. A Jensen Certificate of Origin is also on hand.

The bulk of the remained consists of a positive flurry of invoices from all stages of the car’s history and well worth browsing through. Some of those aforementioned show awards are also present. A period Interceptor III handbook is present as is a photographic record of earlier restoration work.
 

The Jensen Interceptor is one of “those” classic cars. The ones that most people recognise and know a little about even if they are not innately car people. Those cars never attain that status without good reason and the Interceptor’s sublime mix of sophistication, raw V8 power and eccentric British provenance is too charming to resist.

This example is a later MKIII J-series car and, as such, probably the purist’s choice. It presents beautifully and has benefitted from fastidious maintenance and a host of thoughtful improvements. If you like your classics both achingly svelte and impressively muscular, and who doesn’t, then bid on this fine Interceptor today.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £35,000 - £40,000.

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 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’.