Lot details Registration No: OEA 939 Chassis No: 541/1265803 Mot Expiry: Nov 2011
Having reorganised the ailing coachbuilder W.J.Smith & Sons, budding stylists Alan and Richard Jensen assumed control of the business in 1934, renaming it Jensen Motors Ltd. The company's pre-WW2 products included numerous sports bodies for Wolseley, Singer, Standard and Morris chassis, and a one-off Ford-based design for actor Clark Gable. Its post-WW2 manufacture gathered momentum in 1946, following the arrival of Eric Neale from Wolseley. His first offering was the Austin-based Interceptor of 1950, then came the revolutionary 541. The newcomer was previewed at the 1953 Earls Court Motor Show and was the first four-seater to wear a fibreglass body (though, customer deliveries did not begin until 1955). It was powered by a triple carburettor, 135bhp version of Austin's 3993cc straight-six engine, which was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox with optional Laycock de Normanville overdrive. Suspension was independent by coil springs at the front and featured a 'live' hypoid bevel axle, leaf springs and Panhard Rod at the rear. Braking was initially by 11in servo-assisted drums, but uprated to discs all round for the De Luxe variant of 1956 - another first for a British four-seater car. By employing fibreglass for the main body sections (the entire front hinged forward to give optimum access to the engine) and aluminium for the doors, the 541 was considerably lighter (2,690 lbs) than its predecessor and no mean performer. Indeed, a 1955 example tested by Motor magazine achieved the 0-60mph dash in 10.8 seconds and a terminal speed of over 115 mph. Widely held to possess among the most striking automotive silhouettes of the 1950s, the luxury sports coupe remained in production until 1963 by which time a mere 546 had been made.
The right-hand drive 541 offered is finished in British Racing Green with a Dark Green and Black interior. The vendor informs us that the paintwork, brightwork, carpets and electrics have all been renewed in recent times, the overdrive refurbished and a stainless steel exhaust fitted. He regards the coachwork, paintwork, transmission and interior as "excellent" and the engine as "very good".
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has an MOT until November 2011.
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