1975 Jensen Interceptor III Convertible

Débuting at the March 1974 Geneva Motor Show, the Interceptor Convertible was based on the same tubular chassis as its fixed-head sibling (albeit with suitably strengthened sill sections and windscreen pillars). It retained the same independent coil and wishbone front suspension, a 'live' rear axle and four-wheel disc brakes. Powered by a 440ci (7.2litre) Chrysler V8 mated to TorqueFlite automatic transmission, the new model was supposedly capable of 0-60mph in 7.6 seconds and 126mph. Intended as a rival to the Rolls-Royce / Bentley Corniche pairing (which it undercut in the UK by almost £7,000 at £9,863) the open Interceptor soon attracted a celebrity following. Owned by the likes of Cher, Frank Sinatra, Lynda 'Wonder Woman' Carter and financier Winthrop P. Rockerfeller, it was upgraded in late 1975 with the introduction of the 'Qvale dashboard' (a full width wooden affair). Only in production for two years, during which a mere 267 are thought to have been made (with 87 supplied to the home market), the Convertible remains the most rare and sought after Interceptor variant.

Supplied new by Charles Follett Ltd, and purchased in 1997 by the current vendor, this 1975 Jensen Interceptor Convertible Mark 3 has been an eighteen year labour of love.To fully appreciate this special car we need to know a little about its owner. He currently owns three other Jensens, is a prominent member of the Jensen Owners Club and is, modestly, very knowledgeable about the Marque. His cars are his passion, and he is known to be particularly fastidious about detail to the point of continuing to cosmetically enhance his Jensens in a "process of continued improvement".This particular car repaid his efforts this year by winning the J.O.C. 'Concours d'Elegance' Silver section.

Around three years ago this car was subject to a full body restoration to a very high standard. Taken back to bare metal, the shut lines and panel gaps were laboriously adjusted, the panels 'flatted' to within an inch of their life and the shell was then painted in striking Nightfire Red Metallic.

During the years prior to the re-spray, a vast amount of work had been undertaken by the vendor at various times as his other projects permitted.The engine and gearbox were naturally rebuilt, as was the front and rear suspension, the braking system and the steering rack. All the fuel lines were replaced, as was the fuel pump which now has a spare in parallel in the boot in case of a failure, and fuel feed to the carb now comes over the bell-housing avoiding the problems of heat-soak to the under-bonnet pump and making hot starting much less of a lottery. In addition, a new stainless-steel exhaust was tailor made and fitted and the underside of the car was then carefully Waxoyl'd.The engine bay was re-wired, and everything put back neatly using new or refurbished components and the whole area is dominated by a large chromium plated air-filter which sits atop an Edelbrock carburettor (the original is available and will be with the car at the time of sale).

Sat back on its refurbished GKN alloys and new tyres, the final job was a luxurious full re-trim in acres of Magnolia leather and quality carpet, making the interior of this car a very special place to be.

The big 7.2 litre V8 burst into life at the first turn, made all the right noises and was almost turbine smooth with no unseemly knocks or rattles. All the dashboard gauges appeared to work correctly and the vendor informed us that all the electrics, including the power roof, do what they are supposed to do which, given the nature of the man, is no surprise. He modestly describes this svelte piece of West Bromwich architecture as a "very nice car", and wouldn't use the term "Concours" even though it has enjoyed recent success in that discipline. Only allowed out on dry days, this Jensen has patently led a very sheltered recent life and is displaying an unwarranted 34,629 miles. The car is accompanied by a large history file which includes the original factory Handbook with the chassis number (9919) inside, a copy of the original factory Check List, copies of the period factory Warranty Records from the Jensen Motor Company in Birmingham and even old sales invoices from 1978. In addition, there is a Statement of Origin from Jensen Motors, a rare original Jensen Sales Sheet and every invoice during its current ownership. Amongst these, is a receipt from Derby Plating Services for £1500 for bumper chroming and one from October 2012 for £854 in respect of the gearbox rebuild. All of this makes interesting reading and offers an insight into how this glorious car has been maintained, improved and pampered by its careful owner for the last 18 years.

Interceptors have for some time been languishing in the Doldrums in financial terms, no doubt as a result of the potentially ruinous cost of a full restoration, however, things are changing now and they are following other exotica in a Northerly direction. Compare this fabulous seventies convertible with an Aston of the same vintage and it seems to me like stunning value.