The Jensen Interceptor was introduced in 1966 and combined Italian styling (by Carrozzeria Touring) with brute American power delivered by a series of large capacity Chrysler V8 engines.
The Interceptor rapidly became the GT of choice for thrusting businessmen of the time and was also a favourite among celebrities. Tony Curtis, Henry Cooper, Jack Niklaus, Cliff Richard, Tony Jacklin, Ginger Baker and John Bonham all succumbed to the power of the Interceptor.
The model progressed through three iterations, Mk I, Mk II and Mk III. Each an improvement on the last.
Chassis no. 136/8251 is a MK III example and was first registered on the 5th March 1973. A copy of the factory production record on file shows it was first ordered in yellow with black roof and black interior, but the order was soon amended to Pacific blue with black interior and body colour roof. A rare and very attractive colour combination it retains today.
The car was supplied new via Hughes of Beaconsfield Ltd. to first owner David Lewis Management of London before being acquired shortly afterwards by a Mr. A. S Byre of High Wycombe.
Fast forward to 2014 and the car was in the possession of a Wimbledon-based collector who stripped the car and sent the component parts to Jensen specialists Rejen of Winchester for restoration and assembly which was carried out between 2017 and 2019.
Rejen refinished the body in its original colour of Jensen Pacific Blue whilst the original interior was in such good shape the decision was made to preserve it. The owner supplied a rebuilt 6.3 Chrysler unit to Rejen for installation - the more powerful 6.3 engine being superior to the later 7.2 unit. A new Edelbrock carburettor was fitted, and the fuel tank was dipped, repaired and refinished. The gearbox, steering rack and steering pump were all reconditioned and the brakes were rebuilt with new reservoirs, calipers, discs and pads. Other new parts included water pump, full exhaust system, radiator, coil, alternator, stainless sill covers, airbox, copper fuel lines, throttle cable, battery box, tyres, and fuel pump. Several upgrades were also incorporated into the build including a Fen- air air-conditioning system, Fastwind starter motor, electronic ignition, double-dip headlights and suspension poly bushes to improve handling.
Excluding the engine rebuild, the final invoice for the restoration totalled over £52,000. On completion Rejen provided a written valuation of £65,000 and confirmed the car ‘bodily, mechanically, and electrically in excellent order and considered it a Condition A example’.
Today the car remains in excellent order and is accompanied by a history file containing restoration invoices, copies of factory build sheets and factory correspondence. The next owner can now enjoy the fruits of the extensive labour and expenditure that have been poured into this very attractive example.
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