The Jensen Interceptor was a relatively low volume grand touring machine that was built in England for more than a decade. The cars relied on engines and transmissions from Chrysler for propulsion. Some 6,407 of them were produced in three series during their run, with 1,047 in 1972 alone, being one the car’s strongest sales years. We don’t know how many of these automobiles made it to the States, but many of them did. This 1972 edition saw limited use before going undercover in 1976. It needs restoration, but as it’s said to be 99% complete, hunting for rare parts might not be daunting. It’s available in Encino, California and here on Hemmings Classifieds for $9,995. Thanks, Jt, for finding this gem for us!

Jensen Motors brought the Interceptor to life in 1966, hand-built at the Kelvin Way Factory in West Bromwich, England.  While Jensen had used glass-reinforced plastic for its body panels in the past, the new Interceptor would employ a steel body-shell. The body itself was designed by an outside firm but produced in-house. To many Americans, the Jensen was reminiscent of the early Plymouth Barracudas because of its large, curving wrap-around rear window that was also a tailgate. Initially, Jensen used Chrysler’s 383 cubic inch V-8 and TorqueFlite automatic transmission driving the rear wheels, but later shifted to the larger 440 engine. As it was detuned for use with unleaded gasoline, the 440 only produced 250 to 280 hp SAE net depending on model year. Jensen hit a financial wall in 1975 (as did many automobile manufacturers) due to the energy crisis and economic downtown. The company went into receivership for a while and then production of the Interceptor came to an end in 1976. Source: Wikipedia.

This third series Interceptor III from 1972 is said to have just 4,000 miles on it. It was parked in a garage in 1976 and there it’s been ever since. Some work has been done on the body (which generally looks solid), but we don’t know if this happened before, during or after it emerged from captivity. There are a few light dents and the possible existence of bondo in the rear end. The photos and seller indicate the car is largely complete and rust-free. The interior looks good, as well, and may only need a good cleaning to be presentable again.

The 440 V-8 and automatic transmission are said to be numbers-matching, but there is no indication if the car runs. So, we must assume that it does not and will require some mechanical attention. Ironically, we understand that the 440s were slower than its 383 brethren because the engines had been so restricted to meet emissions standards of the day. The internet says that Interceptor III’s were well-built cars and pricey for their day, built for crossing Europe at high speeds. Fuel economy was poor and likely hurt the car’s sales potential in an era of fuel-conscious car buyers, even if money was not an object (supply was).

The resale value of these cars is all over the place. There are several Interceptors III’s on the internet and they run from $20,000 to nearly six figures, condition, and model years being the determinant. The less constrained 383’s may add a few bucks as well as being a convertible vs. a coupe). If you’ve had your heart set on one of these cars and don’t mind restoring it, this might be a good buy. The fact that the drivetrain was made by Chrysler will make the job easier.