1976 Jensen Interceptor

The well-to-do lady or gentleman driver of the late 1960s had a wealth of options when it came to stylish, high-performance grand tourers. Aston Martin, Ferrari, or Maserati were obvious choices, but required specialized and costly maintenance. For some, a Jaguar was too commonplace, a Rolls-Royce too ostentatious, and a Citroen SM too avant-garde. But quietly in the middle was Jensens handsome Italian designed, American powered, and British engineeredInterceptor. Succeeding the fiberglass-bodied CV-8, the Interceptor was redesigned with stylish new steel bodywork designed by Carrozzeria Touring. Jensen continued using bomb-proof Chrysler V8 engines (the 360 at first, later the 440) which delivered exotic car performance, locomotive-like torque, with excellent serviceability and reliability. While body was designed in Italy, they were all built by Jensen in their West Bromwich factory. Initially offered as a 2+2 saloon with its distinctive fish-bowl rear hatch, a convertible followed in 1974, and the distinctive hardtop Coupe in 1975. Regardless of body style, Jensen Interceptors were lavishly appointed with leather upholstery, wool carpet, wood trim, and plenty of luxury equipment.

As Interceptor production reached the mid-1970s, effects from the fuel crisis had put Jensen in financial distress. Company owner Kjell Qvale wanted something different to offer American buyers, but without funding, options were limited. The engineering team devised a new hardtop coupe which debuted in prototype form at the 1975 Earls Court Motor Show. Based on an Interceptor convertible shell, the coupe was adapted with a permanent hard top distinguished by a targa bar and padded vinyl to appeal to American tastes. Jensen subcontracted production of the tops to Panther cars, where final assembly took place. In these latter days of Jensen Cars, record-keeping was spotty at best, but marque expert Richard Calvers extensive research uncovered 46 known examples built between 1975 and 1976, making them among the rarest of all Interceptor variants.

This 1976 Interceptor III Coupe is likely one of the best surviving examples of this rare variant we have encountered. As a Series III model, this car benefits from many improvements including revised seats, re-designed front end, factory air conditioning, GKN alloy wheels, and Chryslers mighty 440 cubic-inch V8, backed by a Torqueflite automatic transmission. Information from the Jensen Owners Club suggests this car was originally finished in white over black upholstery, though it has been restored in this attractive, factory-offered shade of Aruba Red over a lovely biscuit leather interior.

The hand-built nature of the Interceptor can make them particularly challenging and quite costly to restore, but it is clear that this car has had cost-no-object care lavished upon it. The body is straight and crisp, as are the bumpers, sill trims, and factory alloy wheels. The unique Coupe hard top retains the correct factory trim and is correctly finished with black vinyl.

With the Interceptor, Jensen had arguably the best interior accommodations this side of a Rolls-Royce. Spacious, sublimely comfortable, and covered in swaths of leather and wood in the finest English tradition, it is a wonderful place to spend a long day behind the wheel. This car exemplifies 70s Grand Touring with its beautiful biscuit leather covering the front and rear seats, door cards, kick panels, console, dash, and even the headlining. Beige wool carpets are tidy, and the wood veneer dash is in good condition, housing Jaeger instruments and aircraft-inspired switchgear. This car has been tastefully updated with a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel and a modern Pioneer stereo head unit with a flip-out screen.

Under the bonnet, Chryslers 440 cubic-inch V8 is tidy and well-detailed with an honest, usable appearance that points to quality care and maintenance. It is equipped with a single 4-bbl carburetor, power steering, the original-type air conditioning compressor, and factory Jensen fluted valve covers.

The rare and distinctive Interceptor III Coupe may represent a small footnote in Jensen history, but it is nevertheless a stylish, interesting, and highly capable GT. This beautifully presented car would undoubtedly garner plenty of attention in casual shows and regional concours settings, but it will truly shine when you load your bags, set your driving playlist on the stereo, and waft off into the countryside for a weekend of touring cosseted in distinctly British luxury, and with the assured, effortless performance of a big American V8 engine.

Offers welcome and trades considered