In the rarefied world of classic Grand Routiers, those high-powered, coachbuilt sports tourers accommodating four adults, the Jensen Interceptor occupies a special place as one of the most elaborately engineered and designed examples to originate from England during the Swingin' Sixties.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
Not unlike AC Cars, Bristol, and a host of other British manufacturers, Jensen had enlisted an Italian studio to help with the styling of their automobiles, while counting on the reliability of good ol' American Vee Eight power plants.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
Hand-built by olde Worlde craftsmen in limited numbers for a decade, between 1966 and 1976, Jensen Interceptors have recently seen a healthy uptick in value, and deservedly so. To the cognoscenti, this will come as no surprise: with 6.3-liters of pure American muscle, a Jensen can give a contemporary Aston Martin or Jaguar a run for the money.
|
|
Click on any of the above images for a full-size view
Built during February of 1971, this Jensen Interceptor, VIN *125/5278* is one of just 693 Interceptor MK II's ever produced. A documented one owner car and life-long California resident, it was purchased on November 26, 1971 in Los Angeles, by Mr. John "Jack" Spoor Broome, heir of one of the largest California land grants, the Rancho Guadalasca in Ventura County. This fabulous ranch, nestled between the Santa Monica mountain range and the Pacific ocean, once exceeded 250,000 acres and is said to still be one of the biggest citrus producers in the country, with over 23,000 acres of trees. Mr. Broome was not only known for his lemons and oranges, though, he also was one of the biggest philanthropists in the area, single-handedly establishing the Channel Islands University's library with a $5-million donation.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
Fully documented, the Jensen comes with its original California title (the small one, known as "pink slip") issued in 1971, its original first registration, as well as its original owner's handbook including the MK II supplement and the seldom seen, original Routine Service Voucher booklet. In it, Mr. Broome always noted tire purchases, so we can trace the car's actual mileage. Using it regularly for the first decade or so, the Interceptor was henceforth treated to semi-retirement in one of the owner's garages. On average, the Jensen was driven less than 3,250 miles annually. Following Mr. Broome's passing at the ago of 91, in 2009, we've acquired it from his estate.
The Interceptor still proudly displays both of its original-issue, blue-and-gold 1971 California license plates like badges of honor. These early, six-digit blue plates are seen very infrequently today, especially since they are not part of the State's Y.O.M. (year of manufacture) program and only true California natives will be able to display them. Sunkist license plate frame is the owner's nod to his heritage -- and main source of income.
 |
Built the traditional way, with a huge twin-tube chassis to which the all-steel body was welded, creating a rigid assembly, the Jensen nevertheless was susceptible to rust as it lacked modern corrosion inhibitors. Thankfully, this California resident has been spared the brown cancer; it's bone dry -- if a little dusty from use on the ranch's dirt roads -- underneath and does not need any rust repair. If you know your Interceptors, you might breathe a sigh of relief! Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view |
|
|
|
Click on any of the above images for a full-size view
Above photos showing the undercarriage in greater detail. There are no annoying fluid leaks; everything is very tidy.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
The Vignale-bodied Jensen possesses a muy macho stance. It is large but manages to look understatedly elegant, pleasantly different from any other car on the road, a fact not lost to the auteurs of the recent box-office hit "Fast And Furious VI" which prominently featured an Interceptor as the female lead's ride. Though much of the movie was filmed in England, the birthplace of the Interceptor, the production crew had trouble finding the four Interceptors they needed for lack of availability of un-rusted examples and ended up purchasing their cars from California instead. Go figure.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
Clean engine compartment houses the strong American heart of the Jensen, the bullet-proof 383 cu.in. big block MoPar engine, the very powerplant that propelled many Musle Cars down the quarter mile in a hurry, over 40 years ago!
|
|
|
|
Click on any of the above images for a full-size view
This particular 6.3-litre Chrysler motor, a 325hp, 10:1 compression, high-torque version, is the car's original, matching numbers unit. It sounds super strong and runs even better. About 15% more powerful than the Series III's larger 440, due to higher compression, a bigger cam and general absence of government-mandated, power-robbing smog equipment, it truly is the last vestige of the muscle car age.
All that power is transmitted to the pavement via a bullet-proof Chrysler Torque-Flite automatic transmission. To aid in man-handling the beast, our Jensen is equipped with rack-and-pinion power steering and 4-wheel power disc brakes.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
Citrus Yellow paint, quite naturally the owner's favorite, is the car's original color. Repainted once, the paint is very glossy and remains in very nice condition; apart from a few imperfections such as two palm-sized touch-ups on the bonnet and a few other signs of use, there are no unsettling defects. Dents and dings are notably absent. Brightwork is in very good to excellent condition throughout. The fragile chrome bumpers look especially nice; they appear to be free of damage or pitting, with just minimal signs of age.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
Jensen wears its factory-installed, period Rostyle wheels, shod with Bridgestone B420 narrow-whitewall 215/70-15 radial tires all the way around. Wheels are in good condition, just two of the center caps are currently missing, with replacements on order.
Let's now focus our attention on the car's interior.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
Jensen's sumptuous cockpit fascinates with its originality. Behold the immaculate, pleated vinyl headliner and working dome lights.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
IN typical British fashion, the no-nonsense cockpit features array of gauges by JAEGER, SMITHS, STEWART WARNER and KIENZLE, mounted in the leather-clad fascia and center console with HVAC controls, JENSEN cassette-radio, and shifter for the smooth Torqueflite.
E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g works perfectly on this car, including the clock and the radio!
|
|
|
|
Click on any of the above images for a full-size view
Conceived to compete with the finest GTs of the period, like Gordon Keeble, Aston Martin, Citroen SM and Mercedes-Benz, as well as exotics of the Maserati Mistrale, Iso Grifo and Ferrari 330 variety, the Interceptor offers all the amenities a Gentleman driver would expect.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
German RECARO reclining seats with chrome fittings, the best money could buy and the avowed pinnacle of luxury during the Sixties and Seventies. Driver's seat has been re-upholstered in leather to a high standard, passenger seat is still original, with leather that is patinated but still intact.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
Rear leather fauteuils remain in amazingly fine condition. Yes, Guv'nor, the Interceptor is a Grand Touring car for the family man.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
Ready for a test drive? So are we, but before we leave, let's take a good look at the trunk.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
Huge rear greenhouse glass lifts out of the way to reveal spacious trunk. A rolling shade protects valuables from preying eyes.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
This Interceptor comes with its original (partial) tool kit and jacking equipment. Nice!
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
Tuesday, July 16, turned out to be a splendid summer day here in downtown Ventura, and we were excited to take the big Jensen for a test drive and shoot these photos.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
The Interceptor starts instantly, its twin exhaust pipes burbling with gusto. Put the shift lever into the "D" position, and off you go. With its taut suspension -- coil springs, wishbones, and sway bar up front and a traditional live axle (aided by a Panhard rod) out back, the car rides excellently on any surface. Big disc brakes on all four corners are superb. Steering has just the right amount of power assist. This is Grand Touring at its finest!
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
The MK II doesn't display any bad manners. It doesn't smoke or run hot -- to that end, we just had Alan of Santa Barbara Radiator, one of the last old-school craftsmen in southern California, install a huge new radiator core, at considerable expense. The big 383 sounds smooth, powerful, and never breaks a sweat.
American power combined with classic British accommodations inside a beautifully styled Italian envelope: it doesn't get better than this!
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
Returning home, we're in love with the big brute, and we're not the only ones: wherever we parked, eager onlookers approached to ask questions ("What is it?") and express their admiration for this very rare, fine-looking Brit.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
Rarely will you see one of these entirely hand-built cars come up for sale at auction; people who own these cars hold onto them until death do them part, which is what happened to this particular one-owner example. It seems that after the stellar rise in values of Chrysler-powered Monteverdis and Facel Vegas, their similarly equipped Bristol and Jensen Interceptor cousins are following suit very quickly!
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)
Here is your opportunity to acquire a fabulous, original example of a true hand-built 1960s Supercar for less than the price of a new Toyota Prius. With its unique, one-owner California provenance, it may be one of the last worthy representatives of the most highly celebrated era of motoring to come to market.
Now that's a hybrid to love!
Addendum:
We sold this fabulous Interceptor in the summer of 2013.
Back to Californiaclassix' Hall of Fame or Home.