Lot details Registration No: YYY384M Chassis No: 9441 Mot Expiry: October 2007
No doubt influenced by the rendering of an Interceptor soft-top included amongst Touring's original design drawings for the luxury GT, Jensen boss Kjell Qvale commissioned Experimental Department Head Brian Spicer to begin work on a production version in December 1971. Debuting at the March 1974 Geneva Motor Salon, the resultant Interceptor Convertible was based on the same tubular chassis as its fixed-head sibling (albeit with suitably strengthened sill sections and windscreen pillars). As such, it was equipped with independent coil and wishbone front suspension, a 'live' rear axle and four-wheel disc brakes. Powered by a 440ci (7.2litre) Chrysler V8 mated to TorqueFlite automatic transmission, the new model was supposedly capable of 0-60mph in 7.6 seconds and 126mph. Intended as a rival to the Rolls-Royce / Bentley Corniche pairing (which it undercut in the UK by almost £7,000 at £9,863) the open Interceptor soon attracted a celebrity following. Despite being owned by the likes of Cher, Little Patti, Frank Sinatra, Lynda 'Wonder Woman' Carter and financier Winthrop P. Rockerfeller, it remained in production for just two years during which a mere 507 are thought to have been made (with 87 supplied to the home market).
Finished in Metallic Blue with cream leather upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in "good" condition with regard to its 7212cc engine, three-speed automatic transmission, electrical equipment, interior trim, chassis, bodywork, paintwork and wheels / tyres. Reportedly first owned by Sir Alfred McAlpine, 'YYY 384M' is believed but not warranted to have covered just 46,800 miles from new (with a mere 700 of those being recorded in the last eight years). Riding on alloy wheels, it is offered for sale with old MOTs dating back to 1998 and a current MOT certificate valid until October 2007.
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