Lot details Registration No: HEA 1D Chassis No: B383EXP115 Mot Expiry: 30/4/09
By the mid 1960s Jensen was renowned for innovative, high-performance grand tourers. Among the first manufacturers to utilise fibreglass bodywork and disc brakes, the West Bromwich concern had recently begun experimenting with four-wheel drive. However, its board of directors was divided over where to pitch and how to price the C-V8 replacement. While, Richard and Alan Jensen wanted to target the lucrative American market with a cheaper in-house penned convertible (codenamed P66), Managing Director Brian Owen and Deputy Chief Engineer Kevin Beattie favoured a more exclusive approach; namely enlisting the styling talents of an Italian carrozzeria (much as Aston Martin had done with the DB4). The matter was settled in February 1966 when Jensen's financial backers, the Norcros Group, sided with the Owen / Beattie camp. Shortly afterwards Ghia, Touring and Vignale were all asked to submit proposals for a new four-seater fixed head coupe based on the C-V8's tubular steel chassis. Touring came up with the favoured design but were in a perilous financial state and so unable to make it production ready. Instead, they sold the rights to Owen and Beattie who then approached Vignale. Occupying premises in Grugliasco, just outside Turin, Vignale were already busy bodying cars for Lancia and Maserati but gladly took on the Jensen contract. Built-up around a C-V8 chassis (number 2142) and completed in mid-1966, the prototype Interceptor was then used as a development mule before being destroyed by the Works some thirty-five years ago. However, it provided a number of valuable lessons which were incorporated by Jensen's engineering department in the construction of two Experimental Interceptor Chassis, EXP115 and EXP116. According to renowned marque expert Richard Calver, author of 'A history of Jensen - All The Models' and 'The Story of Jensen - The Chassis Data':
"The two experimental chassis were sent for bodying to Vignale, to be ready in time for the Motor Show launch in October 1966. EXP115, which is the car you are considering, was road-registered as 'HEA 1D' on 15th September 1966 and used for press demonstration purposes in advance of the 1966 Motor Show. The usual practice was to have cars available for use by the press and other cars which were show cars only, not road driven and prepared solely for display on the stand. EXP115 was not one of the show stand cars - these were chassis 2515 and 2516, 'HEA 2D' and 'HEA 3D'. Experimental cars were sometimes destroyed in those days after outliving their purpose, and sometimes not. EXP115 was renumbered and sold as the first of the production series cars, number 115/2495. EXP116 was also renumbered and became 115/2496. 2496 survives in very rusty unrestored condition in Australia".
Although hand-built by Vignale, EXP115 boasted a similar specification to its later siblings. Equipped with independent coil-and-wishbone front suspension, a Panhard rod located 'live' rear axle, rack and pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes, it was powered by a Chrysler 6.3litre V8 engine allied to Torque-Flite automatic transmission (though, interestingly the latter lacked a 'Park' facility). Finished in Mist Grey with black leather upholstery, a livery that accentuated its imposing quad headlight frontage, futuristic single-piece glass hatchback and sleek fastback profile, 'HEA 1D' appeared in numerous publications including: Autosport (14th October 1966), Autocar (5th January 1967) and Motor (4th February 1967) magazines. With a reputed 325bhp and 425lbft of torque on tap, Autocar found the steel-bodied coupe capable of 0-60mph in 7.3 seconds, 0-100mph in 18.8 seconds and 133mph; figures that made the Jensen one of the fastest four-seaters of its generation.
By December 1967 EXP115 had covered some 25,000 miles many of them in the public eye (making it probably the most famous and photographed Interceptor of all at that time). Sold off by the Works for £3,100 - a scenario that the strictures of Type Approval etc would make difficult today - the past forty-one years are believed but not warranted to have added just 57,000 miles to its odometer reading. Thought to have been repainted in 1989 (or so the accompanying paperwork would indicate), it pleasingly retains such experimental features as the non-Park facility automatic gearbox and special wooden door trim inlays. While, period touches to the gently patinated interior include an original Radiomobile 8-track stereo system complete with various 1960s album cartridges! Featured in 'Jensen Interceptor, The Complete Story' by John Tipler and 'A history of Jensen - All The Models' by Richard Calver, 'HEA 1D' also appeared on the BBC's 'The Car's The Star' programme during October 1994. Apparently referred to by the Jensen Owners' Club as 'Old Number One', the hand-built Vignale coupe is further understood to have been off their radar for the past ten years or so. Riding on correct type steel wheels, it is described by the vendor as being in "very good overall" condition. An important part of Jensen's history, 'HEA 1D' is offered for sale with original green registration logbook, copy bill of sale from Jensen Motors Ltd to its second owner, statement of origin, assorted copied factory correspondence, instruction manual, sundry other paperwork and MOT certificate valid until April 2009.
With the growing interest being shown in 1960s GT cars how long can it be before Interceptor prices start to rise and what better candidate than 'HEA 1D' as the prime mover?
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