Some of you may be familiar with the 1972-75 Jensen-Healey, a sports car intended mainly for the US market to fill the gap when the Austin-Healey 3000 couldn’t be economically modified by 1968 to meet new federal regulations. A tortured gestation produced a good but not great car, featuring a newly designed Lotus twin-cam 16-valve engine that eventually became the powerplant for the Esprit, once the design issues had been worked out at Jensen’s expense. For 1975 and 1976, Jensen moved the basic platform upmarket, producing a shooting brake (two-door wagon) version with a beautiful new interior. This one is listed for sale here on Craigslist in Playa Del Rey, California, for an asking price of $6,400 (a reduction from the original price of $7,200). Thanks to frequent finder Zappenduster for calling this rare car to our attention!
The shooting brake’s name was changed to Jensen GT, but the improvements were short-lived, as the GT only lasted two model years, and only 511 were produced, with 293 of those being left-hand-drive cars. This car is said to have only 28,438 original miles and features a dash and interior in fantastic condition. No rust is mentioned, but the pictures are low-resolution and hardly comprehensive. I do know the headlight nacelles were originally body color around the edges, so it’s possible at least part of the car has been painted.
This picture of the Lotus powerplant is from a 1974 Jensen-Healey brochure. The GT featured the same engine (although the transmission was upgraded from 1975 on to a ZF five-speed considered much stronger than the original 4-speed). One difference, however, is that US models featured two Stromberg CD175 carburetors rather than the Webers or Dellortos in the picture. It’s very common for US cars to have received a carb upgrade, and since the seller doesn’t share underhood pictures, who knows what’s there. I’d hope for Dellortos! However, the seller tells us that they attempted to fit a Pertronix electronic ignition and the car hasn’t started since. Speaking as someone who has screwed up a Pertronix installation once, I can tell you that the systems are pretty robust and I’ll bet some wiring sleuthing can figure out the issue. If not, a new system is available here for $340, and detailed installation instructions and possible issues from the Jensen Healey Preservation Society are here. And, if worst comes to worst, you can always go back to points!
You can see the plush (for the time) interior here; I can attest that the Jensen seats are much more comfortable than most of its contemporaries, although I’ve always found the two-spoke steering wheel a bit odd to grip.
You can tell your significant other that you are buying a “practical” hatchback–right? Mine wouldn’t buy it, though. I’ve honestly never seen a GT with an original interior this nice.
Jensen called the GT the “Good Thinking Car” in their advertisements at the time. I’m thinking someone tried a bit too hard to come up with a “GT” phrase! You’ll note they characterized the rear seats as “occasional”. Honestly, they could only be occupied by children, and small ones at that.
This is the back cover of the only US brochure for the GT. The blacked-out area above the front bumper never made production that I’m aware of, and the 5-mph bumpers were certainly uglier than the elegant stainless ones fitted to the 74 and earlier Jensen-Healeys. I certainly think $6,400 is reasonable for the car–how about you?
Regardless of how easy of a fix the seller might think it is, right now it’s a non running project. Potential buyers have no way to check out the cars mechanics, brakes, steering, transmission or electrical, the price should always reflect the downside risk. Sellers tend to downplay a cars troubles and the amount of time, money and effort to get them running, that’s something buyers often learn the hard way.
I’m not sure about pricing for these, but I don’t think they are in high demand, thus a lower price may be needed to move this to a new owner.
Steve R