1971 Jensen Interceptor II

Jensen's C-V8 replacement debuted in 1966 reviving a name first employed in the 1950s. However, several of the firm's traditions were broken in that the design was outsourced to Carrozzeria Touring and the bodies made of steel not glass fibre. Early shells were built in Italy, by Vignale, prior to production being established at Jensen's Kelvin Way plant in West Bromwich. Power came from a 6,276cc (383ci) Chrysler V8, driving through either a four-speed manual or three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission to an LSD Salisbury rear axle. Specification included electric windows, reclining seats, wood-rim steering wheel, radio with twin speakers, electric clock and reversing lights.

Production of the Interceptor II (occasionally called the Mk.II or Series II) commenced in October 1969 and lasted for two years. This particular car has a chassis prefix, #123, so was one of 694 right-hand drive, UK cars powered by the E-Series 383ci V8 generating around 330 bhp. Pleasingly, it still wears its original registration number, HMK 6K, and from the history file we can see that it left the factory on 09/08/1971 finished in Silver Grey over Black Leather and optioned from new with Sundym Glass, Voxon Radio Cartridge Player, Air-con, and Town & Country Horns.

The rebuild of this exquisite Jensen, undertaken by Kestrel Classic Cars of Redditch, Jensen Marque Specialists, commenced in 2013 but unfortunately stalled in late 2014 due to the owners ill health, with the Interceptor not seeing light of day for the next seven years until the time was right to finish the build. Superbly presented in Stratosphere Blue with a full Black Hide interior the ground up rebuild shows excellent attention to detail throughout setting this particular Series II at a level that few achieve. The detailed restoration has left no stone unturned including a complete bare-metal body refurbishment, an engine, gearbox and drivetrain rebuild by American V8 Specialist David Gilliver, a total rewire, re-chroming by Derby Plating, a full retrim - in hide of course, all finished to the very highest of levels. The car has been sensibly upgraded for modern day usage including uprated cooling, a high-torque starter, an alternator and a modern air conditioning system.

With a mere 120 shake down miles completed, a period of further running-in is recommended to achieve the very best from this outstanding Grand Tourer. Having been undervalued for many years the Interceptor has recently seen somewhat of a resurgence with interest and demand for correctly restored examples increasing at a pace. Your earliest inspection is welcomed and encouraged to fully appreciate the lengths taken to return this elegant GT to the road.