Automotive

The Jensen Interceptor...

The Interceptor was styled in 1967 by the great design house,Touring of Milani. At the beginning of the production the bodies were built by Vignale in Italy before Jensen switched production to the UK. The car’s most distinctive feature was a large curved glass hatchback.

The Interceptor was equipped with a 7212cc Chrysler V8 with TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The sound from the quad pipe exhaust system was one of the cars memorable features.

Jensen wanted the car to be technically advanced as well as beautiful and created the Jensen FF. It was the world’s first performance car with permanent four-wheel drive and anti-lock brakes and had a longer wheelbase, twin vents in the front wings and a bonnet scoop. FF stood for Ferguson Formula, the tractor company behind the all-wheel drive system, while the ABS was by Dunlop.

The first series MK1 have particularly desirable interiors that changed in later versions.

Sadly the Interceptor was the car that financially broke the company. In 1973 the fuel crisis was the beginning of the end for Jensen and the Interceptor, sadly by1976 both were gone. Several companies have tried to restart production with very limited success.

Jensen Interceptor performance and specs

Engine	6276cc 16 valve Chrysler V8
Power	325bhp @ 4600rpm
Torque	425lb ft @ 2800rpm
Top speed	133mph
0-60mph	7.3seconds
Fuel consumption	13.6mpg
Gearbox	Three-speed automatic
Dimensions and weight
Wheelbase	2675mm
Length	4775mm
Width	1753mm
Height	1346mm
Kerb weight	1675kg

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A lovely legend, this Interceptor. Any informations on its performances? [nt]

By: amanico : June 28th, 2019-02:09

Performance and specifications updated for you. [nt]

By: Cpt Scarlet : June 28th, 2019-03:26

Not impressive the maximum speed. 214 Km / h. And the weight is consequent, too. I was expecting a bit faster in the max speed and acceleration. [nt]

By: amanico : June 28th, 2019-03:29

Remember it was designed...

By: Cpt Scarlet : June 28th, 2019-03:31

As a Grand Touring car and not as a sports car. Torque was the the important statistic

We should try to compare it to a E Type. [nt]

By: amanico : June 28th, 2019-03:33

A sports car [nt]

By: Cpt Scarlet : June 28th, 2019-03:34

You see a few around in Surrey... I always admired the rear window shape, very unusual [nt]

By: Centurionone : June 28th, 2019-03:16

The rear window was a great design feature.....

By: Cpt Scarlet : June 28th, 2019-03:29

Sadly it is also a cause of many cars corroding. Water gets trapped in and around the shut line.

I think 60's and 70's were more about form than function..My all-time favourite is XJS, so distinctive , a classic like Citroen DS !

By: Centurionone : June 28th, 2019-03:37

...

The XJS has been much underrated...

By: Cpt Scarlet : June 28th, 2019-03:40

The Series 1 pre HE cars are becoming scarce, my tip, by a good one now.

No message body

With the different series, as the early ones were not very reliable from what I heard. [nt]

By: amanico : June 28th, 2019-06:21

Basically It’s like this...

By: Cpt Scarlet : June 28th, 2019-06:33

Early cars from 1975 are becoming recognised as classics. These cars will all need restoration but could be a good long term proposition. If you want something more drivable buy a post April 1994 car or even better a 1995 onwards Celebration Edition car.

Just seen in my quartet hen I was a child [nt]

By: brauner : June 28th, 2019-05:53

Jensen Interceptor I - Engine Weight and why it matters

By: cazalea : June 28th, 2019-06:43

Let me say first I love the look and concept of the Interceptor. I’ve always wanted one. But not yet bought one. I did some research on American engines fitted into Euro sports cars (I’m using US units) Buick / Rover alloy V8 215=318 lbs Chevy small-block...

Rust... Jensen was not famous for that reason and some assembly issues, on another Jensen which is dear to my heart, the Volvo P1800. For the two first years, Jensen assembled them, indeed; [nt]

By: amanico : June 28th, 2019-06:58

Cars of this era weren’t galvanised or ..

By: Cpt Scarlet : June 28th, 2019-07:04

Designed to avoid water traps.

True. Rust is the first thing to check on any vintage car. [nt]

By: amanico : June 28th, 2019-07:05

If you can see it ...

By: Cpt Scarlet : June 28th, 2019-07:49

Box sections can be difficult to check

Under a bridge, in a workshop, it is doable. Then the other thing is to use a magnet. [nt]

By: amanico : June 28th, 2019-07:50

Try getting...

By: Cpt Scarlet : June 28th, 2019-08:44

an endoscope. ...

No need for that. The old way. [nt]

By: amanico : June 28th, 2019-09:15

Send your ferret in ??? [nt]

By: Cpt Scarlet : June 28th, 2019-09:32

No, that's for other missions. [nt]

By: amanico : June 28th, 2019-10:19

Further thoughts...

By: Cpt Scarlet : June 28th, 2019-07:01

I agree with you Mike and would add that the problems that the Jensen Interceptor had were fairly common with cars from this era. Jensen had financial difficulties and Aston Martin went into administration in 1973. I have driven a few different Intercepto...

Jensen Interceptor II - the car that was full of itself

By: cazalea : June 28th, 2019-07:22

I don’t mean the Interceptor was proud, but when you opened the door you said, “Lovely - but where will we put anything?” It’s already full! Upholstered with 7 hides, carpeted with 6 sq m of wool rugs, huge transmission tunnel - little space for 2 people ...

My kind of interior... [nt]

By: amanico : June 28th, 2019-07:24

Given the chance would you buy one ? [nt]

By: Cpt Scarlet : June 28th, 2019-08:02

Jensen Interceptor III - they don’t make them like this anymore (thank goodness!)

By: cazalea : June 28th, 2019-09:01

As others have stated, these cars came from an era when rustproofing as not a high priority. My book — Jensen Interceptor, the Complete Story, by John Tipler, says: The basic chassis tube assembly was built in a day, brought into the factory on a jig, and...

Well... No. I saw too many P 1800 Jensen in such a very bad condition that I was worried hen I bought mine. [nt]

By: amanico : June 28th, 2019-09:16

As car enthusiasts we seldom allow our head to rule our heart :-) [nt]

By: Cpt Scarlet : June 28th, 2019-09:38

Very true. About 18 years ago I was traveling with a long-time friend when he let me know he was considering selling his 356.

By: Emil Wojcik : June 28th, 2019-10:34

I immediately told him I was buying it and I didn't need to see it since I looked at it a dozen years earlier. He refused to take my money until I looked it over carefully. But reality is, I was afraid if I looked at it too closely I might find problems t...

I was praying to not discover something when I bought the P 1800.... Exactly for the reason you described. I wanted to have it, so much! [nt]

By: amanico : June 28th, 2019-10:37

Strange, isn’t it?

By: cazalea : June 28th, 2019-10:49

I’ve bought a number of cars despite knowing they were crap. In general I mean, not the specific one I bought (I hoped). Recently I got a Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid. I bought it rather than lease - partially to get the rebates and such, but also because it...

A nice car indeed, the front looks a bit similar to the Bristol with Chrysler's engine. The rear is unique and rather nice! It is always a pleasure to see one on the road, although infrequent. Best, É. [nt]

By: eklektik : July 1st, 2019-11:50

Automotive

The Jensen Interceptor...

Jensen Interceptor performance and specs

The Jensen Interceptor...

A lovely legend, this Interceptor. Any informations on its performances? [nt]

Performance and specifications updated for you. [nt]

Not impressive the maximum speed. 214 Km / h. And the weight is consequent, too. I was expecting a bit faster in the max speed and acceleration. [nt]

Remember it was designed...

We should try to compare it to a E Type. [nt]

A sports car [nt]

You see a few around in Surrey... I always admired the rear window shape, very unusual [nt]

The rear window was a great design feature.....

I think 60's and 70's were more about form than function..My all-time favourite is XJS, so distinctive , a classic like Citroen DS !

The XJS has been much underrated...

To tell you all, it is one of those I am considering getting... [nt]

Jensen or Jag? [nt]

Jag. [nt]

XJS ? [nt]

Yes. [nt]

I can post some information if you are interested [nt]

With the different series, as the early ones were not very reliable from what I heard. [nt]

Basically It’s like this...

Just seen in my quartet hen I was a child [nt]

Jensen Interceptor I - Engine Weight and why it matters

Rust... Jensen was not famous for that reason and some assembly issues, on another Jensen which is dear to my heart, the Volvo P1800. For the two first years, Jensen assembled them, indeed; [nt]

Cars of this era weren’t galvanised or ..

True. Rust is the first thing to check on any vintage car. [nt]

If you can see it ...

Under a bridge, in a workshop, it is doable. Then the other thing is to use a magnet. [nt]

Try getting...

No need for that. The old way. [nt]

Send your ferret in ??? [nt]

No, that's for other missions. [nt]

Further thoughts...

Jensen Interceptor II - the car that was full of itself

My kind of interior... [nt]

Given the chance would you buy one ? [nt]

Jensen Interceptor III - they don’t make them like this anymore (thank goodness!)

Well... No. I saw too many P 1800 Jensen in such a very bad condition that I was worried hen I bought mine. [nt]

As car enthusiasts we seldom allow our head to rule our heart :-) [nt]

Very true. About 18 years ago I was traveling with a long-time friend when he let me know he was considering selling his 356.

I was praying to not discover something when I bought the P 1800.... Exactly for the reason you described. I wanted to have it, so much! [nt]

Strange, isn’t it?

A nice car indeed, the front looks a bit similar to the Bristol with Chrysler's engine. The rear is unique and rather nice! It is always a pleasure to see one on the road, although infrequent. Best, É. [nt]

Aaah, the Bristol! That was a very nice car! [nt]

Got married in a 406 owned by some excellent friends :) [nt]

I liked it a lot. [nt]

Not in a church ? [nt]

You know, these days anything is possible :) [nt]

I’m all for that 🥂 [nt]

Bristol...

Another thread :) [nt]