Imagine this 1960 Jensen, as red as Santa’s suit, screaming into the gravel turnabout driveway of a towering Connecticut mansion, dust settling like fog as the owner jumps out in full Safari gear. He runs into the house, only to return in a few minutes with a map in hand, punch the gas and create another plume of dust as he drives off into the setting sun. Such is the life of the original owner of this amazing rarity, found here on eBay, that has been lovingly restored from front to back, top to bottom.
Ok – so it’s a beautiful example of one of the 193 541R’s produced by Jensen from 1957 to 1960. And it’s one of the last 541R’s produced, ever. This one rolled off the factory floor in April, as the company began producing its successor – the 541S. All good by itself, but this particular model has ownership history that few can claim – owned by Charles Darwin’s great grandson, who was also the nephew of economist Lord John Maynard Keynes. Boy, talk about living up to the standards of an over-achieving family!
In fact, Keynes did have an adventurous life, following more in his great grandfather’s spirit of travel, he refused the schooling and expected family career choices – instead pursuing the unusual, the unknown, the obscure, and the impossible. A real-life Indiana Jones, Keynes went on to document unexplored Africa, write for National Geographic, accumulate one of the foremost private collections of rare books and manuscripts, had a personal relationship with Jackie Kennedy Onassis, made documentaries of his adventures, and (thankfully for us) collected fast, expensive and beautiful sports cars.
Very few details of the auto collection of this amazing man have been recorded, but we do know all were rare, and most were one of a kind. This car, restored to the pristine condition Quentin would have found it in when he purchased it, is described by the seller as “…absolutely one of the finest and rarest complete Jensen 541R in existence!” I’d change that just a little, and call this 541R one of the finest, rarest and most historically significant Jensen 541R in existence!
I love this car. That being said, it’s way out of my price range. That light colored carpet is going to be tough to keep clean. Does the body look a little high?
Very uniqu and unusual
Gorgeous interior. Gorgeous car!!!
Damn……. quick, what are the winning Powerball numbers! I love it!
I had no idea these existed! I see a bit of Jaguar, AC Cobra, Mercedes and somehow it all works. Gorgeous car, beautiful styling, a treat to see it against green grass and trees as the wind chill hovers around -44F!
This is a barn find, how? I just had to say that. Happy Holidays.
It’s in Santa’s barn.
This is very well photographed, it looks better in the photos than in person. We always considered them quite homely and as a result were quite inexpensive on the market.
Nobody mentioned that the adjustable Grill is missing.
I actually had the great pleasure of driving a clients 541 just last week. What an experience! Car has a pneumatic turn signal switch and many other confusing levers and switches.
Great exhaust note and and very involved,hands-on driving.
Good times!
Sharing as I do, the same unusual Christian name as the origional owner, coupled with a dreamy love of all Jensen cars….i will try and follow the continuing life story of this splendid machine.
Comes with a King Dick Tool Box ????
Awkward dimensions…but juuust enough Italian penned sexiness.(Brits kinda hit or miss on design)
And seriously clean.
Shares the back light lenses with my AC Ace Bristol. At least one big difference: my car is aluminium, this one is plastic (GRP).
Wow what a breath taking beautiful car. That is the first one I have ever seen. I had no idea they were even made at all. I was only familiar with Jensen Healeys. Now I have a new car to research and learn about.
At $98+K on EBAY, this car is woefully underpriced.
An absolutely beautiful example of the marque.
Ended: Dec 27, 2017 , 12:59PM
Winning bid:US $98,022.00
[ 14 bids ]
What size engine does this car have ?