The British sports car scene of the 1970s offered plenty of choices, but the Jensen-Healey stood out as a bit of a hybrid—part Lotus, part Jensen, with American safety standards in mind. This 1973 Jensen-Healey, listed here on craigslist in Edmonds, Washington, hasn’t seen the road in decades, but it offers a promising starting point for someone ready to take on a project. Thanks for the tip Curvette!

According to the seller, this roadster has been sitting since 1986, making it nearly 40 years since it last saw active duty. Despite its long slumber, the car is described as very solid, which is no small thing given the era’s tendency for rust and structural issues. That alone makes it worth a closer look for anyone familiar with British classics. The paint shows its age and the car will need a complete restoration, but the bones appear to be in place.

Under the hood originally sat a 2.0-liter Lotus twin-cam four-cylinder, known for making the Jensen-Healey one of the quicker small sports cars of its day. With 140 horsepower on tap, it had more punch than its rivals from Triumph or MG, though it also came with the quirks of a Lotus powerplant. The seller doesn’t mention whether this engine is still present or if it turns, but any buyer should expect to give the drivetrain a full rebuild.

The car includes both tops, soft and hard, which is a valuable bonus since many convertibles from this era have long since lost their factory hardtops. Having both options adds flexibility and value, especially once the car is back on the road. The clean title further simplifies the process, as paperwork issues can often complicate project car ownership.

Like many Jensen-Healeys, this one represents an interesting piece of automotive history. Produced for only a brief span between 1972 and 1976, just over 10,000 were built in total. That makes them far less common than the MGs and Triumphs they competed against, and they remain a great way to stand out at a British car gathering.

From the photos and description, this looks like a straightforward restoration candidate, solid body, rare parts included, and plenty of potential for someone with the time and space to bring it back. Whether you’d restore it to original spec or build a more modernized driver, this ’73 Jensen-Healey seems like a worthy project.

Would you put the effort into reviving this rare Anglo-Lotus collaboration, or would you pass on the challenge and stick with a simpler MG or Triumph project?