1955 Jensen 541

Registration No: 832 HFM
Chassis No: 541435206
MOT: August 2025

• Current ownership since 2010
• Offered with a large history file
• Subject to much expense by the current vendor
• Displaying a credible 68,300 miles

First registered as ‘XTC 3’ in November 1955 and in current ownership since 2010, this 541 has been subjected to a comprehensive amount of expenditure in the vendor’s tenure. Now registered 832 HFM, it comes with a large history file which includes a breakdown of costs incurred to the tune of some £17,848 between August 2010 and September 2022 with noted specialists including Richard Appleyard, Four Ashes and Rejen. This includes new wheels and tyres at a cost of £2700 exc. VAT on 9 August 2022 supplied by MR Autoservices Midlands Ltd. Finished in maroon with cream seats and red carpet, it currently displays a credible 68,300 miles and is also accompanied by an old-style green logbook and expired MoT certificates dating back to the 1980s.

Like its contemporary Interceptor, Jensen's 541 flowed from the pen of Eric Neale, and first saw the light of day at the 1953 London Motor Show, with production commencing the following year. It had many points of interest. For example it was the first Jensen to feature a predominantly glass reinforced plastic body, the entire front section of which hinged upwards in order to give optimum access to the engine compartment. The material was chosen to overcome the relative post-war shortage of steel, and provide an economical solution to the problem of manufacturing a complex design in small numbers. There was also the benefit of a reduction in weight and, with the contribution of alloy-skinned doors and Perspex rear windows, the newcomer's overall dry weight was 2,690 lb versus the Interceptor's 3,020. Interestingly, not only was the body impressively light, but aerodynamic too - the drag coefficient of 0.39 being notably low for a large car of the period concerned. So to another first - in Deluxe specification, the 541 was also the first British four-seater car to be equipped with Dunlop disc brakes all round.

The innovative body was mounted on a rigid steel chassis and the ensemble powered by a triple carburettor version of Austin's proven DS5 engine, complete with Weslake high compression cylinder head. The resulting output of 135bhp was sufficient to propel Motor magazine's test car to 60mph in 10.8 seconds and on to a mean top speed of 115.8mph. The unit drove through a four-speed manual transmission for which there was the option of Laycock de Normanville overdrive. Suspension was independent at the front by wishbones and coil springs, while the live rear axle was supported by leaf springs and further located by a Panhard rod. A total of 226 541s are known to have been built between 1954 and 1959, 53 of which were the Deluxe version that featured all the otherwise optional extras as standard. The original 541 was supplanted by the 541R and then 541S, bringing total series production to c.546, of which the Jensen Owners' Club believes less than 150 remain in existence.

For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk
07943 584760