1972 Jensen Interceptor III

Just saying the name ‘Jensen Interceptor’ can send a tingle down many a classic car enthusiast’s spine. Right from the beginning, it was a name dripping in charisma, mystique, a little bravado and more than a little controversy. And so it has gone on over the years, with everything about the car up for discussion, from who bought them new, through what happens to them if you don’t look after them, to how far fifty quids’ worth of petrol will stretch, and even how far all its wiring would stretch! Bottom line is; you want to know as much about these as you can when you’re buying. And the great thing about this car is that we know so much.

‘It’s a really right car - a matching numbers car - and one that’s had an awful lot of money spent on it,’ says Ryan who has the Jensen for sale. Thinking about the way it drives, he adds; ‘There’s so much torque. And it drives very smooth for something so old.’ (There might be a fair few folk reading this saying; what d’ya mean ‘so old’? But we’ll let that go.)

He also reminds us that this is one of the ‘G’ Series MkIIIs, of which there were only 332 built between 1971 and ’72 and which sported Chrysler’s slightly lighter and leaner 6.3-litre V8. Probably only around 15 percent survive.

This one has done far better than just survive; it has been cossetted, cared for and restored, and, for the past four years, has lived in a climate-controlled ‘Carcoon’, coming out for a run only on sunny days.

This is a good-looking car, which sits well on its suspension. The Interceptor has a lot of long, heavy doors, lids and panels, but there is no sagging anywhere along its cool Italian-styled length, and all shut lines remain even.

The paint colour can make or break an Interceptor, and in this shade of metallic burgundy/maroon, this example looks every inch the Seventies GT for any international man of mystery. In the pictures, you will see there is a comprehensive photo-album, documenting the car’s bodywork restoration in the Nineties. Some 20 years later (we’re not sure of the exact dates), the Jensen’s paint and brightwork are still looking very good. Those broad panels retain a deep shine. The surface is free from polishing swirls and the finish is consistent across the car. The vinyl roof too is looking very tidy and still has a very good colour match with the bodywork.

There are some small flaws in the finish; a retouched chip virtually through to the metal below one of the windscreen wipers and a small bubble on the rear wing. And there are stone chips to the black-painted metal light surrounds. We are being picky, we have to be when the rest is this good.

There is more chrome than you think on this car - sills, windows along the roof edge and the big rear hatch. It is in very good condition with no pitting.

Chrome and light surrounds are looking good - no discolouration or signs of corrosion beneath the brightwork. Nor are there any dents or dings to upset those very straight edges. And the rubber-faced overriders on the big (and equally shiny) bumpers look good too.

Grills and vents look very tidy and the model and maker’s badges are luckily intact or nicely refurbished. Take a moment too to notice the number plates - the numbers aren’t spray-painted on - they’re hand finished metal. Tasty. (For clarification, the Jensen is being sold with the reg no CJF 111K)

The interior of the big GT has a very tidy but gently ‘lived-in’ patina. The leather in general is good, with most panels retaining their colour and shape nicely. Edges and stitching are largely good. There is some dulling of the colour to flat panels and slightly more wear on those large door arm rests, buts it’s all still in good condition. There is also some wear to the outer bolster of the driver’s seat, though the quilted centre panels (and of those in the back) are newer - replaced in the last couple of years.

The walnut burr trim retains its grain and colour, though the paint is peeling a little from the metal panel holding the rocker switches below the dash board. The Blaupunkt Hi-Fi is more modern, as is the (still authentic-looking and very tidy) Moto-Lita steering wheel.

That immensely wide leather dash retains a good colour and has not warped - not something to take for granted; it’s amazing just how bent out of shape (and how hard to correct) the interiors of these big Seventies coupes can get. The interior chrome - ash trays, seat fittings and door furniture are in good condition, with only one or two spots of very light pitting. The carpets are excellent - they were also replaced in 2017.

All switches are present and correct and apparently working, though Ryan says the air conditioning isn’t at the moment, though he hasn’t investigated why. Altogether, the cabin is a nice complement to the exterior of the Jensen. A nice touch is that the (original) handbook still fits snugly under the strap on the reverse side of the centre console compartment lid.

The Interceptor’s engine bay looks very well sorted - engine block, heads, ancillaries, ducting and wiring - all look healthy without any signs of corrosion, leaks or overheating. Battery and oil filter look to be new, and those all-important fans facing the big radiator appear in good shape too. The under-bonnet insulation looks almost new - suggesting there’s certainly enough cooling going on. It is not a concours engine bay, but very tidy. Its appearance certainly corresponds with the sheer volume of invoices for servicing and reconditioning to be found in the service history. Indeed, the motor underwent a very expensive (you can underline that) and extensive rebuild with Spenser Lane Jones back in the early 2000s.

Looking further around the underside of the car, the Jensen appears strong and solid. There is a little surface corrosion to the floor pan and some to the frame retaining the spare wheel, but cross members, sills and wheel wells all look solid. Leaf springs and hangers also look healthy, as do the coiled springs and dampers. Those distinctive GKN alloys are very tidy too having been fairly recently replaced.

There are a lot of big bills across several owners with this car. They include ‘routine’ maintenance that was both extensive and thorough, as well as major restoration projects - such as the engine rebuild in 2005. More or less every mechanical facet of this Jensen - steering, suspension, transmission etc. - has been worked on and is listed in in an invoice somewhere.

What is even more reassuring to the next owner is who has done the work; the likes of Spenser Lane Jones, Cropredy Bridge Garage and, more latterly, ReJen. These are the kinds of addresses you want to see in any classic’s history file - top drawer restoration and marque specialists with a very solid reputation. Hence the car looks and drives the way Ryan says it does. You know the work has been done right.

There’s a lot to give us confidence in this Jensen - not least its gorgeous looks and the way it drives. Add to that the successive owners who have been prepared to put an awful lot of money into this car, so you can imagine its attendant lifestyle has been correspondingly careful.

As well as ticking the condition and history boxes, we can also add rarity; remember this is one of the few 6.3-litre G Series cars left. It is also an ‘un-messed about with’ example (careful restorations notwithstanding). It started life as a G-Series - and it remains that car - with its original engine.

All in all, a right car. Our estimate of £35,000 - £44,000 represents very reasonable value.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located in Poole, Dorset; 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’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.

BORING, but IMPORTANT: Please note that whilst we at The Market always aim to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available, we cannot claim they are perfect analyses of any of the vehicles for sale. We offer far greater opportunity for bidders to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding than traditional auctions, and we never stop encouraging bidders to take advantage of this. We do take a good look at the vehicles delivered to our premises for sale, but this only results in our unbiased personal observations, not those of a qualified inspector or other professional, or the result of a long test drive.

Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using simple cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality.