Rust-free. Lotus DOHC engine. Getrag 5-speed transmission. Convertible top. Not just one, but two famous and storied manufacturer names. How can you not love the later model Jensen-Healey JH5? Apparently, not everyone feels the same way, because this car sure looks “down on its luck.” You can find it for sale here on Facebook Marketplace where the asking price is a mere $2,900. Naturally, it’s located 2,504 miles away from me in Lake Elsinore, California.
That particular license plate was only used in California from 1982 to 1987 (trivia: it won a design award) so we know the car has been off the road for a long time. We have no idea how many miles the car covered before it was taken off the road (or why it was taken off the road) but I believe that’s even an original J-H exhaust system poking out beneath the bumper.
The seller included this shot to illustrate that even the trunk floor is rust-free. In case you’re not familiar with these cars, they were envisioned as a successor to the Austin-Healey 3000 but with more modern components. The mash-up between Lotus, Vauxhall, and Jensen components works surprisingly well, but teething issues with the DOHC four-cylinder (later used in the Esprit) gave the car a poor reputation from the beginning. Earlier cars used a four-speed transmission that was considerably weaker than the Getrag unit.
It’s pretty obvious that this car has been open to the elements for quite a while. It’s a shame those seats are as degraded as they are because they are actually quite comfortable when in good condition. The wires hanging out under the dash don’t inspire confidence either, but it’s not terribly difficult, just time-consuming, to sort out the electrical system.
I was glad to see the timing belt was intact on the front of the ‘907’ engine. The unit actually works quite well now, and since this one will almost undoubtedly have to be rebuilt, the new owner will have the chance to incorporate improvements that were made to the engine as it progressed through the Esprit’s life. This is a car I would definitely check out if it were closer! Have any of you ever driven a Jensen-Healey or its cousin the Jensen GT?
For that price take the engine and transmission out and throw the body away. Would loved to have found something like this when I had my Europas.
I agree with you , scrap engine /trans combo (better to sell )and rebuild with a modern setup and enjoy this nice 2 seater topless car
Dont forget to shave these ugly bumpers
I think you need to re-read bobhess’s comment, Claudio.
Hi Steve
I had read and understood it
But my view is to replace engine and trans
I should have added something to clarify my view or indicate sarcasm or ?
I agree with both of you, a lot of cool things could come of this! Whether you sell the engine/trans on to fund conversion with a modern system (just spitballing but maybe an electric engine, or Miata donor), or keep the engine/trans and rebuild/build it up to something more, so many options. I agree about the bumpers, but I always liked this body style for some reason. Seems like a love it or hate it kinda thing.
This looks like a solid “starter”, and the only thing that hurts its looks are the girders front and rear.
Lose those hideous safety bumpers and fabricate what should be in that space. New interior/seats. Shave and angle the windshield until it has a roadster look. Beef up the suspension. Finally…rip the entire drivetrain out and squeeze the most powerful BMW straight six that will fit..
You don’t have to fabricate anything, just backdate to the earlier cars’ bumpers.
There’s no such thing as a bargain Jensen-Healey.
Bought one in about this condition for $50 at an auction. Locked up engine. I’m a master tech, have the tools and knowledge..Got it home, walked around it and said “Why?”. Sold it for $500 to someone who had one. Looking at this one for $2900? I up that to “WHY???!!??$$??!?????????
100% correct. Great fun driving ridiculous experience to own. Great support and easy to find parts. But not a money maker you need to want to own it forever. The $2900 price should get you a crappy daily driver. I bought 2 on ebay that didnt run at $800 a pop and my checkbook rebuilt them and painted it for under $8k. Was a blast to drive and got it over a 100mph without realizing it. This owner has a $500 car at best because no knowledge of car so youre buying a brick.
I love Jensen-Healey’s. Though I’ve never owned one, I have come close to buying one a couple times.
In 1974 I ordered a Cosworth Vega. When the Cosworth was delayed till 75, I went shopping for something else. I looked at the Jensen-Healey, and really liked them, but end up buying a new Trans Am. Later I got a job with a company car, and went looking for a toy. I came close to buying a year old Healey, but bought my 62 Corvette instead.
Even 45 years later I still think the Jensen-Healey may be the best handling car I’ve ever driven.
I notice you don’t regret buying the Corvette over the JH. LOL
Had one in 1975 bloody brilliant trim left a lot to be desired
Way back in 1975 or 1976 I test drove a new Jensen Healey and it was a very cool car. IIRC it was burgundy with a tan interior and it stickered at around $6k. I guess I must have decided that was more than I wanted to pay so I didn’t buy it but looking back now, I wish that I had.
When these were new I worked for one of the largest dealers for these cars. Absolute rubbish, junk, garbage, worthless cars. Whenever I saw one one road, I’d advise my companion to watch as something would surely fall off as it went down the road. We had a fair number of celebrity customers as well as ordinary people. No one liked them for long.
A J-H can be a great performer. We went twice to the SCCA runoffs in D-production.
Very strong engine, could use more braking.
For a parts bin of different mfg’s parts it did well especially with the 5 speed. Not around long enough to establish itself sadly. A lot better car than the truck-like AH 3000
This is a interesting dilemma. For a few thousand more you can find a running, drivable JH. But that being said if these cars continue to be parted out they will disappear. Without knowing the condition of the engine that price might be a tad high. Just my opinion.
But keep in mind – you refer to a “running, drivable JH” – if you find such, it is only a temporary condition anyway. Non-running, with leaking of oil, coolant etc is the natural and long-term state of these cars. I have probably driven more (when they were brand new) than anyone else on this forum. And the tops also leak, notoriously letting rain into the interior such that when the new one’s arrived off the transporter, one of the first things we did, especially if rain was imminent, was remove all the rubber bung hole plugs from the floorboards under the carpets so that the water could flow out, almost as fast as it leaked in! Why doesn’t my earlier comment show up?
Had a 74 JH with the 4-speed. Loved that car… it’d pull nearly 70 MPH in 2nd gear, allowing very spirited merging on the expressway. Cornered well, but nothing like my 75 Lotus Elite (which had same engine, but with 5 speed). That Lotus was like a go-kart on rails. Miss them both, but the Elite more.
I had a red 77 Elite years ago, too many problems, luved those rear seats!!
I had one years ago, so i know better now. Pass.
Sure..change the drivetrain..Then you have a grotty interior and suspect build quailty for what’s left. This was built during the depths of British labor trouble. There is a reason these companies went out of business!. I drive a Subaru powered VW Westfalia. The difference in that and what you propose is that the main problem with 80’s VW vans was the engine. What is wrong with this car is everything AND the engine..At over 400K and places like the Dalton highway, the van doors still close with a nice tight “thump”. The only time you’ll hear that noise in the Jensen is when something falls off the car….
Thats just about the right price for an engine in the UK, the gearbox is also worth about £800
I met Geoffrey Healey a number of years ago – nice man, but the one thing he would not talk about was the Jensen Healey! I guess it was a familial embarrassment.
This car has the Jensen GT motor and the Getrag 5 speed transmission, the car is well worth the asking price just for the drive train. These are one of the best British sports car I have ever driven. Handling is phenomenal and no lack of power. Compair to an MG of the same vintage and you will find the Jensen to outperform in every respect.
I’m pleased to report that someone has purchased this car and seems very happy with it!
I just don’t understand all of the fuss about the powertrain dooming this car for an enthusiast *today*. We live in an era of unparalleled potential powertrain swaps, and no one is going to shed any tears over “authenticity” with a J-H!
So sell that dodgy Lotus engine and 4-speed, and put a Buick/Rover 215 (same as the MGB-V8, TR-8, TVR, et al) and a 5-speed transmission in there, and with some other sensible upgrades (and yes, a lot of restoration labor), you could have something very usable and attractive for a very modest investment. EVERYTHING else is addressable (things “fall off”? Not if you know how to properly tighten them down, pal).
With E-type roadsters all north of $100K, and A-H 3000s (another mongrel) hovering around $50K, you could have a sorted-out J-H for probably $20K total, and with that Anglo-American small-block V-8 under the hood, drive trouble-free in ways a Jaguar or A-H owner could only fantasize about.
Damn — I’ve nearly talked *myself* into doing this!
I owned one for many years, a 74.5 no cats but 5mph bumpers. Installed 15″ Compomotive Wheels star chrome outlined black, koni shocks and springs, Mallory distributer, mikuni carbs, upgraded 3 core radiator, recaro seats!!! MB Quart speakers, upgraded stereo system and amp, factory hardtop, sport mirrors, upgraded brakes willwood calipers and pads, yellow! Loved the car but started a family and needed an SUV