It would be fair to say that during the 1960s, only a tiny handful of British automobile manufacturers had genuine high-performance engines in their arsenal. Those that did weren’t in a hurry to share their powerplants with the opposition, motivating those companies to think laterally. America was the home of affordable power, and forging working relationships with companies like Ford resulted in machines like the Sunbeam Tiger and the AC Cobra. However, those cars were modified versions of existing models, and Jensen didn’t wish to pursue that path. It developed the Interceptor, and by slipping a Chrysler V8 under the hood, it produced a genuine Grand Tourer with mountains of reliable power and torque. Our feature car is a 1971 Interceptor Mark II that is a stalled restoration project. It needs love, but the winning bidder will commence the process with a rock-solid foundation. The owner feels it needs a new home, listing it exclusively with us at Barn Finds Auctions.
The history of this Interceptor is one of bad luck because it is a restoration project that stalled twice. A previous owner sent this rust-free Light Cherry Red Californian classic to a paint shop for a total restoration. The paint shop owner stripped the car but passed away suddenly. The vehicle returned to that owner’s garage, where it sat for nearly thirty years before he also passed away. The bad news is that some removed parts disappeared during the process. However, the good news is that the car is about the most solid project candidate you will find in the market, and the new owner won’t face any cutting or welding with this gem. Several underside shots in the gallery below this article confirm that this beauty has no history of rust problems. The panels sport a few bumps and bruises, but all are repairable with minimal effort. The side glass is present, but the hood, windshield, back window, and back window frame are missing. That isn’t the end of the world because the current owner has a contact who has a replacement back window and frame that they will sell for $750. Finding a hood may require patience, although purchasing one from the car’s home country via sources like this eBay listing could be viable. The owner rightly points out that if an enthusiast has a rusty Interceptor sitting in their workshop, swapping the required parts from that car to this might be a cost-effective way of reviving this classic. Regardless of which path the buyer chooses, this should be a straightforward and rewarding project build.
You only needed to climb aboard an Interceptor to discover that Jensen’s primary focus was on luxury. Buyers received acres of supple leather, plush carpets, air conditioning, power windows, and a comprehensive set of gauges that allow the driver to monitor the vehicle’s health. This car adds an AM/FM radio/8-track player to the mix, helping to relieve boredom on long journeys. The paint and trim combination was one of the motivations behind the owner purchasing this classic, with the Light Cherry Red paint and Tan leather interior creating a stunning visual impression. Time has not been kind to this interior, meaning a complete restoration is on the cards. The owner has the original front seats and a fiberglass back seat frame. A retrim is required, and there are several ways the winning bidder could tackle this. A few UK companies produce high-quality reproduction trim kits and will ship internationally, but following the secondhand path via the usual online websites is another option worth considering. The owner located this Mark I interior in the UK, and if the winning bidder is unconcerned about originality, this complete Mark III interior could be an ideal choice. As with the exterior, an enthusiast with a non-viable Interceptor project occupying their workshop could use that as a parts source to recapture this car’s lost youth.
The secret of the Interceptor’s success rests under the hood. Jensen did not have the resources to produce its own powerplants, often purchasing engines and transmissions from other British companies like Austin to slip into their engine bays. It knew the Interceptor demanded an engine with genuine performance credentials, but sourcing something appropriate locally proved impossible. The company had collaborated successfully with Chrysler previously and did so once again by purchasing the company’s legendary 383ci V8 and A-727 TorqueFlite transmission. What it got for its money was a proven and bulletproof drivetrain providing mountains of power and torque. When our feature car rolled off the line, the 383 churned out 330hp and 420 ft/lbs of torque. It is easy to forget that Jensen created the Interceptor as a Grand Tourer because its performance figures sit firmly in muscle car territory. It could despatch the ¼-mile in 14.5 seconds. If the driver kept the foot to the floor, the needle would comfortably nudge 135mph. Our feature car retains its numbers-matching drivetrain, although it doesn’t run or drive. The owner tried to coax it back to life, but a faulty starter motor thwarted his attempt. He had budgeted a rebuild as part of the restoration, and considering we’re dealing with standard Chrysler components, that part of the build should prove affordable and straightforward.
The seller has provided photos of the car’s grille and Rostyle wheels. The grille is included with the car, but the rims and tires are currently on his other Jensen. The rims have been polished, repainted, and appear to be in nice condition. If the buyer wants them, they can be included with the car for an additional $800. The seller can mount them on the car prior to shipping, so it arrives rolling on its original wheels.
Jenson Interceptor project cars that cross our desks at Barn Finds often suffer from significant rust issues. This 1971 Mark II has avoided that fate, making it a prime candidate for a faithful restoration. Tackling a project as exotic as a Jensen will intimidate some enthusiasts, but it shouldn’t. An Interceptor is no more complicated than any other classic from this era. Unlike many European vehicles, the drivetrain combination is pure American muscle, meaning parts are readily available and affordable. It will take patience to return it to its former glory, but the finished product will be one of the world’s greatest Grand Tourers that will turn as many heads today as it did when new. If you’ve dreamed of owning a British classic, bidding on this Jensen could be a good starting point.
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Mileage: TMU
- Engine: 383ci V8
- Transmission: Three-Speed TorqueFlite
- VIN: 125/5424
- Title Status: Clean
Bid On This Auction
- CL bid $3,600.00 2023-06-26 10:37:17
- Labley bid $500.00 2023-06-26 04:50:02
- Corey bid $300.00 2023-06-20 13:07:03
just a typo in the header, all thru the write up it’s said to be a 71
ya know i could be persuaded to add a brit invasion car to the stable.
this is a very interesting ride. i wonder what the range would be with that 24 gallon wallet busting fuel tank?
It would be based on the range of your wallet
The time you save on the mechanical resto will be consumed by LUCAS …
A complete rewire would save problems and gremlins down the road , so ,who makes a harness to replace it ?
Hi, guys,
You can buy a complete new wiring harness for the Interceptor MK3, LHD or RHD from this Company.
https://www.autosparks.co.uk/jensen-interceptor-mk3-forward-wiring-harness-1
Then you no longer need to use Lucas ” The Prince of Darkness” wiring!
Used to be an old guy in my hometown that could rewire anything. He would simply pull a harness out of usually an impounded vehicle he had sitting around. He was slick. Don’t take a degree or an expensive kit sometimes.
I thought these had 440’s?
Me, too.
I can confirm the cost of restoring the interior is huge. I restored every aspect of my MK III, but made the mistake of not getting a quote for the interior until I’d done the rest. The number was so high I stopped right there. I still have the car and the paint is still beautiful – but it should be; it hasn’t seen daylight in 38 years! The electrical system is a doddle compared to any new car’s system.
@Fred R. They had 440’s beginning with the MKIII of ’72, but mainly to recover from the power-sapping emission controls just introduced. Earlier cars had 383s but were probably more powerful.
Larry, you should have saved $10 a month , your interior would be ready now ! I rode around with a ratty interior until the kids finished school , it was easy then as i had plenty of money to spend for myself…
I probably should have, but instead I just bought more project cars! The quote was $6000 way back then – I wonder what it would be now. No problem, though. When he was 11 my son asked his mom “When Dad dies, can I have the Jensen AND PARTS?” Not only was the little rat counting on my demise, he assumed I would not be finished. He’s 40 now, but the car is in my will – that’ll fix him!
Me, too. I thought they had 440s.
kids college / interior?; kids college / interior? now w/the last’s graduation you all can tell my choice (2 Fridays ago).
No more garage space I’d hafta get glass’n paint right off – 6 projects in frnt of it… If that back can ‘hatch’ it might B a consideration. Saw a few in person back in the day (“Boston” has as many ‘exotics’ as SoCal). Dont remember much about them but – luxurious, hi weight to power ratio. Live 2 hrs away now, no visits in 40 yrs.
The world needs more Jensen Interceptors, and I can think of a lot of worthwhile projects, but a very needy Jensen Interceptor is not one of them.
383 or 440 they could be had both ways Iv had both You really can’t tell the Dif U can do 120 in a snap The real ? Is how bad off are the Calipers and Rotors
Last I heard hard to find
It’s an interesting car and all… but personally, I’d rather have a 68 Charger any day!
Especially considering an expensive “sports” car was only available as a boring automatic shift grocery getter.
Boring !!!!
Have you ever driven an Interceptor with a 383 motor down the road, its powerful and fun and certainly not a “grocery getter”
You obviously don’t know what you are talking about and also their was a manual version, which they sold very few.
Unfortunately, only very rich people could afford a Jensen Interceptor, like
Frank Sinatra, Cliff Richards, Farrah Fawcett, Rockefeller, Quinn Martin and Princess Anne to name a few famous rich owners.
And rich people do not want to drive a manual 2 ton car.
Like the Studebaker Avanti it was based on, 90% of Avanti’s were automatics as they were bought by affluent people, who wanted power and luxury without having to use a clutch.
But an automatic Avanti is also great to drive, fast and fun!
Lisa, I understand your opinion, that affluent people need others to do for them, ie shift a transmission. And that press & go is “fun to drive”, to each his/her own, but in my opinion, having control of shifting a car, especially a high end sport car is far too much fun to do without.
I drove a 383 When she ran
Passed everyone but the gas station Could use a independent
Rear end But real comfy
We are almost to the reserve. It wouldn’t take much more to win this one guys!