[ ADS ON TEST ]
Sam Dawson discovers a comprehensively reworked Jensen that blends classic and modern cues to create a very special car
Resto process included rust-protection
This Jensen Interceptor has graced these pages before. Back in March 2008 it was on our front cover, as we subjected it to a road test and heralded what we now call a restomod, courtesy of Cropredy Bridge Garage operating as Jensen International Automotive. It began life as a 1973 Interceptor III, but as both a reprint of our cover feature – included in this car’s service history file – plus extensive correspondence between JIA and its first post-restoration owner attests, it’s been comprehensively reworked. There’s a Chevrolet LS2 V8 from a Corvette in place of the old Mopar big-block, and the rebuild process included the stripped bodyshell being subjected to an electrophoretic dip process, promising rust resistance as effective as a modern car’s back in 2008. It was the eighth in JIA’s original run of 50 reworked Interceptors.
It's holding up well. Bodywork is very straight, sharp and shiny all round, with perfect shutlines. That said, there is some orange-peel in the paint on the passenger-side C-pillar, and the odd swirl mark from incorrect polishing here and there. There is only one stonechip – on the trailing edge of the bonnet – but in a sign IA’s electrophoretic process has worked, not a speck of rust is visible anywhere.
Interior a mixture of original and modern retrim
The interior is similarly mint, although as with the exterior with its mesh grilles, modern electric door mirrors and oversized – if original-style – wheels, it’s a combination of ancient and modern, even more so as it was retrimmed by JIA itself recently in 2023 at a cost of £24k. The dashboard is as-original, with the exception of the speedometer and tachometer, the former containing a digital mileometer currently reading 6450. The quilted leather seats and door panels aren’t what you would have found on a Seventies Interceptor either but they’re in effectively unused condition, as is the turned-aluminium centre console with its automatic shifter lever straight out of a late-2000s Corvette C6.
It takes a few churns of the starter motor before the V8 catches, but ignition is strong and it runs very smoothly even when cold. On the move, the Jensen handles in a taut, weight-defying manner, the reduced sidewall compression and nose weight compared to the original specification lending it a nimbler and sportier character. The brakes are sharplyeffective, and once run up to a constant 70°C temperature, the oil pressure gauage reads 50psi under load.
Chevy V8 gives more oomph with less weight
Unfortunately, this Interceptor has no documented service or maintenance history prior to 2008. Since the rebuild, there’s every MoT certificate, plus an early snag list from 2010, and evidence of routine maintenance at Cropredy Bridge is included. In 2024, however, work was carried out by Chadwick Bank Garage and J&S Automotive instead.
This is 4WD FF money, twice the going rate for a mint RWD Interceptor. But given its specification, it’s hard to apply normal rules, or find comparable cars. You are, however, paying for a very high standard of work, and a very special car.
CHOOSE YOUR JENSEN INTERCEPTOR
► Replacing the C-V8 and featuring a steel body designed by Carrozzeria Touring and initially built by Vignale, the Jensen Interceptor was launched in 1966 with a 6.3-litre Chrysler V8 and a choice of manual and automatic transmission, although only 22 cars were built with the former.
► 1969 Mark II had revised frontal styling and redesigned twin-cowled dashboard to meet new US safety regulations.
► 1971 Mark III replaced 6.3-litre V8 with 7.2-litre. Triple-double-barrel-carburettor SP version produced 330bhp.
► Convertible added to the range in 1974, followed by notchback coupé in 1975. Original Interceptor production ended 1976.
► Production restarted as S4 with 5.9-litre Chrysler V8 in 1987. Discontinued again 1990.
1973 Jensen Interceptor by JIA
Price £115,000
Contact DD Classics, Kew, London (02088 783355, ddclassics.com)
Engine 6162cc V8, ohv, electronic fuel injection
Power 430bhp @5900rpm
Torque 425lb ft @4600rpm
Top speed 174mph
0-60mph 4.5sec
Fuel consumption 19mpg
Length 4648mm
Width 1676mm
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