1969 Jensen FF

Unveiled in 1966 at the London Motor Show, the Jensen FF was immediately voted Car of the Year by the motoring press based on its outstanding technical ability. FF stood for Ferguson Formula, the four wheel drive system developed by Harry Ferguson for racing cars, that split the torque unequally between the front and rear wheels resulting in sure-footed and excellent handling, especially for such a big GT. This combined with Dunlop Maxaret anti-lock braking another first – which are almost unnervingly good compared to other classics of the era is what led the pundits to call the FF the World's Safest Car. Looks-wise, the extra vents, squared-off front, and half-foot longer wheelbase give the FF’s game away. Underneath, the chassis rails have moved outboard to accommodate the Bill Chatterton-designed Ferguson four-wheel-drive system. By winning huge plaudits when new was perhaps the reason for the existence of the FF - to reaffirm Jensen as a forward-thinking can-do firm. Even today, passers by conspicuously admire the FF and are quick to mention the four wheel drive and ABS. A true cognoscenti car.

The car presented here is currently owned by such a person, a real marque enthusiast who has curated a collection of some of the finest Jensens in the UK. This is a 1966 Jensen Mk1 FF (chassis #119/102) ordered new in Crystal Blue paintwork with Beige leather, and supplied through the Jensen distributors, A.R.D. Garage (Cwmbran) Ltd. and purchased by Welsh businessman Mr R. F. Arnatt  during late 1968. #119/102 remained a Welsh-owned car from 1969 right up until 2008, having had four diligent owners in the meantime. In the early 1990s, the then-owner undertook a large amount of work to the car, including an engine rebuild in 1992, an overhaul of the brakes and suspension, plus some bodywork renovation, including full rust protection to the tubes, new sills and a repaint. In 2008, #119/102 was acquired by the Jensen Museum and they felt that some of the historic bodywork restoration was not up to standard, which led to car being stripped back to bare metal. This proved very worthwhile, since the Museum could then have the Crystal Blue colour-matched and applied perfectly (the paint colour being spectrographed from an original Jensen Motors colour chip). At this time, the original leather also required some restoration work, whilst the original (tired) carpets were replaced with a full new Wilton set.

Due to #119/102 being undoubtedly one of the best and most original examples of a Mk1 FF, our vendor acquired the car in 2014. He set about a full recommissioning of it after its long-term storage, utilising the skills of the museum specialists and then a workshop at Bicester Heritage. In more recent times, the gearbox was fully rebuilt by Jensen specialists, Cropredy Bridge Motors, whilst the brakes, suspension and other items were overhauled in November 2021, at a cost of £6,134.24. The specialist skills and attention of Cropredy Bridge Motors has meant #119/102 has wanted for very little. The car is accompanied by numerous historic invoices for maintenance, a CD-ROM of the bodywork restoration, plus copies of more recent invoices for recommissioning/specialist work and has an MOT valid until August 2023.

In summary, this is a great opportunity to own a piece of British motoring history that is absolutely on-the-button and would make a fine addition to any collection featuring landmark classics.