1969 Jensen Interceptor Mk I

First shown in London at the October 1966 Earls Court Motor Show, the Jensen Interceptor Mk l was produced for just three years and only 1,024 were examples built, of which just 923 were in right-hand drive. The Interceptor was as much Italian as British, designed as it was by Carrozzeria Touring with the bodyshells built by Vignale, delivered to the West Bromwich factory to be paired with the inimitable 6.3-litre Chrysler V8 and mechanicals. The interior was quintessentially British, finished in hand-trimmed leather and polished walnut. When new, the Interceptor cost substantially more than an Aston Martin and was double the price of an E-Type Jaguar. In today’s classic car market, the Interceptor is only rivalled by the considerably more expensive Aston Martin DBS, which it matches in comfort and performance, but at half the price.

This late-production Mk I was supplied with Crystal Blue coachwork on 5th March 1969 to a dealer in Wolverhampton, before moving to another dealer a month later at a retail price of £4,452.54. Bought and subsequently first registered to a Mr Kerger of London on 14th April 1969 before becoming the property on 30th June 1994 to a Mr Hartwell. During his ownership, the car received significant attention to the front wings, and was fitted with new sills and rear arches whilst the interior saw the seats re-trimmed in leather and new carpets installed. The engine was also rebuilt at this time and, as was common at the completion of such comprehensive works during this period, the odometer was zeroed. The car then travelled some 2,500 miles before a period of long-term storage and was subsequently purchased on 20th August 2015 by Peterborough Classic Cars, whose receipted recommissioning works included the rebuilding of the cylinder heads and overhauling the brakes, at a cost of £5,769.

Our vendor, a friend of the company who has a passion for British heritage motorcars, bought the Interceptor on 3rd August 2019 and found the car to be not quite up to his standard and, as a stickler for originality, a bare-metal repaint in its original Crystal Blue was undertaken at a cost of £12,000. The car has since benefited from a further £11,000 of maintenance work that included attention to the gearbox and braking system. It's presented to auction with a history file that evidences the car’s early life and the maintenance records from recent ownership. The MOT Certificate is valid until 3rd October 2023 and the odometer reading was 2,800 miles at the time of cataloguing.

Recently used as the 'baddie's car' and chased by The Professionals Capris for our promotional video, the Interceptor started on the button and performed the duties required of it effortlessly. As we wish to remain impartial, it is up to those who watch the video to decide if they see themselves behind the wheel of a Capri or an Interceptor.