1976 Jensen Interceptor

The history of the British-based Jensen Motors Limited company dates to 1922 when it was known as the W J Smith & Sons Limited Company. Brothers Alan and Richard Jensen changed the name to Jensen Motors Limited in 1934, and it would remain in business through 1976. The name was revived in 1998 and dissolved in 2011.

Following World War II, Jensen offered a luxury saloon named the PW, although production remained limited due to the scarcity of raw materials. The Interceptor followed in 1950, wearing a body designed by Eric Neale and was produced through 1957. The Jensen541 of 1955 was clothed with fiberglass bodywork, and its radiator grille was covered by a non-traditional driver-controlled swiveling flap. The lightweight C-V8 arrived in October 1962, and with its 6-liter Chrysler V8 engine, it was one of the fastest four-seaters of the era.

The Jensen C-V8 was replaced by the Interceptor, wearing designs by Italian coachbuilder, Carrozzeria Touring. It was introduced in October of 1965 and put into production in the second half of 1966. The bodyshells were built by Vignale of Italy and later by Jensen. Early examples were equipped with a 383 cubic-inch Chrysler Wedge-head powerplant while later cars featured the 440 cubic-inch unit.

For the preceding two decades, Jensen vehicles wore glass-reinforced plastic bodies, but with the Interceptor, the company returned to a steel body shell. The preceding C-V8 model's robust chassis and running gear were retained by the Interceptor with its wheelbase measuring 105.3 inches, its height of 53 inches, a width of 69 inches, and a length of 186 inches. The 383 CID engine was paired with a TorqueFlite automatic or optional manual transmission driving the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential in a conventional Salisbury rear axle.

The interior contained leather upholstery, reclining front seats, and walnut veneer as standard equipment.

The Mark II, announced in October of 1969, incorporated revised front suspension, Girling brakes, and a redesigned interior. Styling revisions were made around the headlamps, bumper and front grille, along with revised rear taillights. Air conditioning was offered as optional equipment.

The Mark III was introduced in 1971 and came with a 7.2-litre engine, better seats, central locking and alloy wheels. An improved, 330bhp version of the 7.2-liter Chrysler V8 on the 'J Series' Mark III arrived in 1974, along with all the equipment, including air conditioning, that had been standard issue on the now-discontinued Interceptor SP. A convertible body style was also introduced in 1974.

The worldwide recession of the early 1970s brought hardships to Jensen by the mid-1970s. The company entered receivership but was allowed to continue production until the available cache of parts was exhausted. 1976 was the final year of the Jensen Interceptor Mark III production. From 1966 through 1976, Jesen produced approximately 6,408 examples of the Interceptor.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2011