The Jensen GT was a one-year wonder, built across 1975-76 until the company ceased to operate. As a result, only 511 of the British sports cars were ever built, and just 269 are reported to have ever made it to the U.S. Which makes it unusual that this is the second one of these cars that has popped up on Barn Finds in the past week. We’re told this one runs and drives well and wears an older paint job that’s worn in a couple of places. This rare automobile is in Portland, Oregon, and available here on craigslist for $12,000. Thanks, Matt H, for the lead on this neat car!
With its 2+2 seating design, the Jensen GT was the “shooting brake” version of the Jensen Healey sportster. The car was powered by a Lotus 907 Twin Cam, 16-valve engine which was paired with a Getrag 235 5-speed manual transmission. At just over 2,400 lbs., they were able to perform well by the standards of the day. At 47,000 miles, the version of this set-up that’s in the seller’s car is said to still get the job done.
This car is far from perfect, but if you were looking for a weekend car that no one else in your circle has, this might be it. The green paint still has a shine to it, but the photos show it chipping in a couple of places from a repaint some years ago. The interior has been redone more recently and things look to be in order, but the color choice is odd and not likely original. Where tan may have been before, there’s red and black upholstery material now.
A Jensen GT (or a Jensen Healey roadster for that matter) is a $24,000 car of Concours quality. But the production numbers don’t lend themselves to a plethora of parts being available, both mechanical as well as body and interior pieces. These are said to be cool cars to drive, but don’t damage one if you can help it!
If the car’s good then the asking price is fair. The hard top is a much better car all around and this looks like a nice one.
Another British Ferrari Breadvan.
Parts aren’t hard to find. I sometimes go to a Jensen supplier for my V-12 Jaguar parts.
Do they have Jensen parts though? ;)
The engine is Vauxhall-based, so shells, rings etc. should be easy enough.
The ‘long roof’ was the best of all the designs of the Jensen GT. Too bad it was still a Jensen and came with a nightmarish engine. (BTW I HATE those velour seats!)
Parts ARE available. There is a company in Arizona that carries most. I forget the mane.
This looks like a fair deal if you can handle those seats. I had a regular JH and a Lotus years ago. I hope it sells.
This one looks much better than the one you listed a few days ago. If I’m going to drive 1000 miles for the first one and this one is 500 miles farther for the same money I’ll go to Portland instead
Talk about London buses… you wait for a Jensen GT and then two come along. Replace those seats with something resembling the original and/or less vile.
Think the issues with the engine were solved by the time the GT was out. Still lacking in torque and not suited to a GT driving style.
Remember that the seats in these came in some interesting colors. Don’t recall anything like this though. Green, black, and red. What a color combination.