1972 Jensen Interceptor Mk3

Lot details
Registration No: NRR890K
Chassis No: 128/4430
Mot Expiry: None

Jensen's handsome replacement for the angle-eyed C-V8 first saw the light of day in 1966, and in calling the model Interceptor the company revived a name it had first employed during 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 engine, 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 right-hand drive Interceptor III being sold was apparently first registered on January 1st 1972 and is powered by the 6276cc engine mated to automatic transmission. The vendor informs us it was extensively restored in the early '80s and resprayed by marque specialists Cropredy Bridge Garage. A decade later it was purchased by a garage in Ripley, where it was displayed for seven years. The vendor acquired it during 1998 and had it resprayed once more two years later. The rear axle was replaced in 2003 and the engine overhauled in 2008 following a timing chain failure. 'NRR 890K' has reportedly been garaged since November 2008 and would now benefit from some attention to its bodywork, paintwork and interior trim. However, the vendor regards this 'matching numbers' Interceptor as an "honest car" and feels it could still be "mechanically sound". An interesting project at an affordable price, it is accompanied by a history file (Cropredy Bridge Garage invoices, sundry later restoration photos etc), book and several Jensen magazines.