The Jensen GT was an enclosed version of the Jensen-Healey open-air sports car. It was only produced for a single model year and just over 500 copies were made. It was a 2+2 grand touring coupe with a small back seat powered by a Lous 2.0-liter inline-4. As a rare car, it’s a shame to see one become a junkyard dweller which appears to be the case here. Offered as a rough project, this GT is in Bellingham, Massachusetts, and is available here on Milford Auto Clinic for $1,500.
Mechanically the same as the Jensen-Healey, production of this automobile ceased when Jensen Motors fell into financial disarray and finally into receivership in 1976. Shared with the J-H was its 5-speed Getrag manual transmission. The car looked bigger than it was, coming in at just under 14 feet. We don’t know the history of this GT and the odometer reads under 27,000 miles. So, it either fell into disgrace early on or saw the clicker turn over.
The condition of this vehicle is fair on a good day (and poor in all the others). If bought, would you attempt a costly restoration which may only be supported by its rarity? How many of these cars could possibly be left, especially the ones that managed to get imported from England to the U.S.? But if you already have one of them, could it be the donor car find of the year? Thanks for the tip, BF reader Henry Reining.
Neigh said the horse.
Shame – I agree with that sentiment.
Oh brother!! Y bother???
If the outside door handles work, any of the glass, taillight lenses, wheel trim rings and/or trim salvageable, it might be worth some of that but even that’s a stretch.
Sad to see a once good-looking, classy car get neglected this way.
Featured on this site November 4th of last year when it was listed on Craigslist, unfortunately no price was mentioned. At $1,500 it’s probably getting close to the point where either someone restoring another Jensen will step up to buy it or to part it out.
Steve R
Looks like it smells! But probably hard to find parts .
How sad!!
Quite a rare thing, but probably destined to be broken up – not least for the drivetrain. At that point, it becomes hotrod material…
Is that a TR2 next to it?
Could be any of a TR2 through TR3B based on the trunk hinge.
A little of the grill is showing in one of the photos Derek suggesting it is a (or was) a TR3A. TR2s never had a grill as such and TR3s are quite different to the one you can see.
Whats sad is, from what I’ve read, in ’76 these were about $10,000 new. That was a hefty price tag. Consider this, a new Vette was about $7600 give or take. A new Coupe Deville was almost $9100 to start. So you are in Cadillac price territory. How, on earth did it wind up like this? I’d be polishing it every weekend. ( well……. ok, maybe I’m exaggerating a little, but I’d at least dust it off and drive it and enjoy it. )
In a way, because of its rarity, like Russ mentioned I wonder if someone would take a shot at restoring it. At the very least it has valuable parts on it like Nevadahalfrack and others mentioned. It shouldn’t be crushed. But, man how did something this special get here???
Only 500 manufactured, in the whole wide world? Way back 50 years ago? So, you’re definitely not rebuilding this one back to stock. It was a good looking car, though.
Somebody should have called CPS on that owner.
(Car Protective Services)
Judging by the driver floor pans and being in Massachusetts, I would think the underneath is gone. That being the case, it’s just a ‘parter’ especially for the guy who has one! The exterior steel looks pretty good though…. I would pass on a restoration…….
Only possible value here is the rear window – nothing really else salvageable. Like when the big Jensen Interceptor goes bad, sometimes only the rear glass fishbowl is the only value left.
it would be an interesting vintage racer if eligible
The Jensen GT is eligible for vintage racing, though I don’t ever recall seeing one in racing in vintage or SCCA. With the SVRA (Sportscar Vintage Racing Association) both the Jensen Healey and the GT race in Group 8. In SCCA Healey’s and GT’s raced in D Production (based on the induction system Healey’s might have raced in CP too, but the weight of the GT would have limited it to DP I think). Jensen Healey’s made great race cars, especially those built and prepped by Huffaker Racing in the 70’s. There are a few still racing successfully in both SCCA and vintage.
I’ve always loved the Healey and GT. Around 75-76 a friend who owned a used car lot had a very clean low miles Healey that I came very close top buying. The only reason I passed on it was it was painted a terrible mustard yellow color.
I always thought that Jensen Healey’s were kind of cool, particularly the Jensen Interceptor packing a Chrysler V-8 up to and including the 440. At one time this was a neat car, but I’m afraid that those days are long gone. It’s a shame, but I’m not even sure if this is a viable parts car.
Love the seller’s site. 1.1 litre V6?
I’d definitely like to “ Book a test- drive”.
It’l probably buff out…
I had a friend in the early 80s who owned a Jensen Healey convertible. He finally got tired of shoveling cash in it to keep it running and got rid of it.
Now we know where BMW got the inspiration for the 1998-2002 Z3 coupe. The styling was panned as “clown shoe” and “bread van” by critics. Well, this Jensen is like Nebraska: Honestly, it’s not for everyone.
The seller might consider just giving it away. That seems easier than dealing with potential buyers.
I mentioned that in the Mustang II junk that was recently posted – just pull up with a flatbed and the seller will most likely be sporting a big smile while watching it being hauled away.
@PRA4SNW- Absolutely. It is most likely age-related, but I couldn’t be bothered taking calls and sorting out paper work for a pile of iron oxide. I would also be afraid if someone did kick the tires there would nothing left but dust.
yes, I brought a few ford EBs back in the ‘80s like this but would not get close ( to them or this if this shape) now. Shame, esp since estate (I picture earlier model bumpers, wood dash, leather seats, etc).
Junkyard find? Needs to stay in the junkyard…