1972 Jensen Interceptor Mk3

Lot details
Registration No: NRX483K
Chassis No: 128/4630
Mot Expiry: July 2011

Jensen's striking replacement for the slant-eyed C-V8 first saw the light of day in 1966, and in calling it Interceptor the company revived a name it had first employed in the 1950s. However, the newcomer broke some of the firm's established traditions in that the design was outsourced - to Carrozzeria Touring - rather than penned in-house, and the bodies were made of steel rather than glass reinforced plastic. The early shells were also built in Italy, by Vignale, prior to a production line being established at Jensen's plant in West Bromwich. Power was initially supplied by a 6276cc Chrysler V8, driving through either a four-speed manual or three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission to an LSD-equipped Salisbury rear axle.

The MKII model of 1969 brought revised frontal styling and ventilated disc brakes. Introduced at the October 1971 Earl's Court Motor Show, the Interceptor III was visually distinguished by cast headlight surrounds, GKN alloy wheels and a comprehensively revamped interior. By May 1972 the engines on RHD cars had been increased in capacity to a whopping 7212cc. A distinctive looking Grand Tourer, Interceptors were bought by celebrities as diverse as Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, British Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington and World Motorcycle Champion Phil Read.

The 1972 Interceptor III being offered is a right-hand drive model with a 6276cc engine driving through a TorqueFlight automatic gearbox. Its blue coachwork is complemented by a black leather interior. There is a extensive history file available with the Interceptor, the paperwork in which suggests it has only covered some 10,000 miles since 1988 and only just over 70,000 all told. The gearbox was apparently reconditioned in 1990 and the Jensen treated to an £11,000 refurbishment in 2004. The vendor is the fifth owner and bought the MKIII just a few months ago with a view to exporting it to Malta. However, with hindsight he feels it's the wrong car for so small an island - hence the sale.

He describes the coachwork as "very straight" and the paintwork (new in 2004) as "good". He says the engine "runs well" and the transmission is "good". The car is taxed until the end of June and MOT'd into July 2011.