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Cheap Starting Point? 1972 Jensen Interceptor

The classic Jensen Interceptor is the kind of classic that can either be quite pricey to buy in top-tier form or dirt cheap if you pick up a train wreck. The middle ground is rarely fertile, which is why this 1972 Interceptor looks like a fair buy at $13,995. The seller notes it is a recent barn find but it certainly looks better than that; the engine still turns freely and the seller notes the frame rails were recently replaced. The interior is original and still quite nice, so some of the uglier aspects of a restoration won’t be a factor here. Find the Interceptor here on craigslist and located in Encino, California.

Thanks to Barn Finds reader Rex M. for the find. The Interceptor went through a few different model phases, but the basic shape remained the same. The body on this example looks quite tidy despite being a barn find, and it’s certainly possible this one was properly stored given the engine bay shows no signs of rodent nests and an interior that isn’t torn up by the sun. The chrome bumpers still look decent as well, but it’s hard to tell whether this car is actually silver in color or has had all the paint rubbed off. Regardless, silver is a great color for one of these, and fairly unusual given most seem to wear dark colors.

The interior is a total bright spot, as like most British sports cars, the cabins seem to deteriorate quite quickly if left unattended. The black leather interior is also downright tidy, almost good enough that I suspect a previous owner took good care of it before the Jensen was parked for an extended period. The matching black dash, door panels, and carpets all appear to be in serviceable conditon,certainly the kind of interior you can spend a day with a steam cleaner and a vacuum to return to the condition it once was in. It’s hard to tell if that’s the original radio, but it certainly doesn’t look out of place for the period.

The 440 V8 made the Jensen a classic best-of-both-worlds vehicle, with British styling and grace paired to the reliability of a Chrysler-built engine. 1972 started the gradual downgrading of the stock performance, as 1971 was the first and last year the 440 “Six Pack” engine was offered. Those are hard cars to find, and quite expensive when you do. This one will still deliver invigorating performance despite being de-tuned to 280 b.h.p., and given the engine still turns freely, I doubt it will take much to get it to fire again given the general condition of the rest of the car. A good buy? I think so, but we’d welcome your opinions below.

Comments

  1. Avatar UK Paul 🇬🇧

    These are heading up in value. Could be a good buy.

    Like 2
  2. Avatar Bill Lucas

    No it’s not the original radio. As far as I can remember they were fitted with a 8 track, silver flap with JENSEN on the RH side?

    Like 0
  3. Avatar ChingaTrailer

    I’m always amazed, common garden variety Mopars seem to sell for more than Jensens! Same engine/transmission but an Italian designed British limited production car with Jaguar sourced brakes and suspension – should be a high dollar collectible. But they’re not. Maybe never as gasoline goes away.

    Encino must be a good place for Jensens. There was a dealer nearby on Van Nuys Blvd just north of Magnolia, another in Reseda and of course Hollywood Sports Cars. I worked for the dealer in Van Nuys. The owner liver in Encino too.

    Like 2
  4. Avatar Car Nut Seattle

    As Jensens go, the Interceptor has always been my favourite cars. Assuming parts are still available and everything works like they should, this could be a good restoration project, a good restomod, or a daily driver.

    Like 1
    • Avatar UK Paul 🇬🇧

      Parts are available. A company bought the tooling in the UK and actually build brand new cars still I believe.

      Like 2
    • Avatar ChingaTrailer

      You say “Assuming everything works . . .” that’s a big assumption, that didn’t even happen when they were new!

      Like 0
  5. Avatar jeff

    I always thought they looked like a spin off of the Studebaker Avanti, just not quite attractive

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Craigo

    Great looking cars but electronics always held me back.

    Great color combination

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Larry Brantingham

    I wonder where the owner found “frame rails” (or even “frame raises” as the ad says)? There are two very strong 4″ tubes, but they’re fully welded into the structure. I think the suspension pieces are normal Alford and Alder components used by several manufacturers in the period, not just Jaguar. My son makes front suspension pivot shafts for both early Maseratis and the Interceptor. There are at least four suppliers of parts for these cars: K&D, now in Maryland, Delta in Arizona, Cropredy Bridge Garage and Martin Robey in the UK. I’ve used all but Martin Robey.

    Like 2
  8. Avatar Frozenbird

    Larry I was wondering the same thing lol, parts like that are not readily available for these. I really wanted one after seeing Letty diving hers in Fast and Furious 28, these are cool cars with so much potential locked up in that 440. The factory leather on their interiors can get expensive though, you need a lot of it and it’s all Connelly Leather.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar FastEddie/OldEddie: pick one

    Is the hood bent, or just not closed? The sellers didn’t mean to say risers, did they?

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Jcs

    Very cool cars.

    Like so many of its type, there is no such thing as a cheap Interceptor. Ask a guy who has owned one. You will either pay now, or you will pay later.

    But you will pay.

    Like 0

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