Jensen-Healey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Jensen-Healey | |
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| Manufacturer | Jensen |
| Production | 1972-1976 |
| Class | sports car |
| Body style | 2-door convertible 2-door coupé |
| Engine | 1973cc Lotus 907 engine |
| Transmission | 4 or 5 speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 92 inches (2342 mm) |
| Length | 162 inches (4115 mm) |
| Width | 63 inches (1613 mm) |
| Height | 48 inches (1213 mm) |
The Jensen Healey is a convertible sports car that was originally produced between 1972 and 1976 by Jensen Motors, Ltd. Over these four years, roughly 10,000 vehicles came off of the West Bromwich assembly line. Though financial difficulties both internal and external buried Jensen in the mid-1970s, the car continues to possess a devoted (if very small) following.
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[edit] Design
With the demise of the Austin-Healey 3000 import car dealer Kjell Qvale was looking for a new product to replace it. He entered into discussions with Donald Healey and Jensen Motors (who had built the bodies for the Austin-Healey). Kjell Qvale became a Jensen shareholder and Donald Healey the chairman. The Jensen Healey was designed in a joint venture by Donald Healey, his son Geoffery and Jensen Motors. Having just put time in at the British Motor Corporation, it was hoped that Healey could help to contribute the sense of style that made the Austin-Healey such a hit.
[edit] Exterior and appearance
Generally speaking, Jensen Healey cars are small two seaters with convertible tops. In 1974, US government-mandated rubber bumpers were attached, and a closed, fastback Jensen GT was introduced in 1975.
[edit] Engine and auxiliary components
Many engines were tried out in the prototype stage including Vauxhall, Ford and BMW units. The Vauxhall 2.3L engine met USA emission requirements but did not meet the power target of 130hp. A German Ford V6 was considered but strike crippled supply. BMW could not supply an engine in the volumes needed so Jensen looked to Lotus who had a new, untested engine available. So all Jensen Healey models came equipped with the then-new 1973cc Lotus 907 engine, a two litre, dual overhead cam, 16 valve all alloy powerplant. This setup puts out approximately 144 brake horsepower, topping out at 119 miles per hour and accelerating from zero to 60 in 8.7 seconds. Vehicles for European distribution and sale contained dual Dellorto carburetors; those available in the states had Strombergs. The oil cooler was absent in the earliest models.
A popular engine upgrade involves increasing the displacement to 2.2 litres by installing a crankshaft with a longer stroke and employing higher compression and several other engine breathing improvements to raise horsepower to over 200. The initial transmission is a four speed Chrysler unit sourced from the Sunbeam Rapier. Later a Getrag five speed was used. Interestingly on the five speed gearbox the fifth gear is not an overdrive gear but a direct 1:1 ratio.
[edit] Suspension and Braking
Suspension was simple but effective with double wishbone and coil springs at the front, and a live rear axle with trailing arms and coils at the rear. Brakes consisted of discs at the front and drums at the rear. The suspension, steering gear, brakes and rear axle were adapted from the Vauxhall Firenza with the exception of the front brakes which were from the Triumph Spitfire.
[edit] Interior
Jensen Healey interiors started out austere and functional, with plastic centre consoles and all-black colour schemes. (Some earlier models do sport brown interiors, however.) Later, aesthetic extras such as wood grain and padding as well as air conditioning were added. 1976's Jensen GT went even further by offering elaborate burrwood dashes and paisley seats.
[edit] Common issues
Oil leakage was commonplace in the first few years of production, though the problem was eventually addressed by aftermarket cam cover gaskets made from reusable rubber. Poor body panel fit was also typical of these early Jensen Healey models.
The plastic fuel line tees used below the Stromberg carburetors in manufacturing have also been known to fail, leading to engine fires. As a result, many enthusiasts replace them pre-emptively with metal tees.
As with most British and Italian sports cars of the 1960s and 1970s rust is also a major weakness in the Jensen-Healey. With the unibody infrastructure of the Jensen-Healey, this is a major problem. The outer sill sections of these cars are the primary support structure for the convertible cars. The closed box sections in the sill structure are very prone to rust damage. Some of this is due to road dirt being thrown up from the wheels bypassing aging rubber seals around wheel well closure panels.
[edit] Demise
The oil crisis hit Jensen Motors hard, greatly damaging the sales of their very large V8 Interceptor model and thus degrading their financial condition as a whole. The Jensen GT was then hurriedly brought to market, requiring massive labor expense and taxing the firm's budget even further. As the Jensen Healey continued to garner mediocre sales in the United Kingdom (though the car was relatively popular in the United States), the situation proved to be too much for the company, which, amid strikes, component shortages and inflation, proceeded to liquidate in 1975 and close their doors in May 1976.
Parts for these cars are available from, among others, Delta Motorsports in Phoenix, AZ and the Jensen Healey Preservation Society.
[edit] Racing
Jensen Motors ran a factory team to capture the SCCA D Production Championship in 1973 and 1974. This effort was put together by Huffaker Engineering in California. The initial drivers in 1973 were Lee Mueller and Jon Woodner. In 1974 the lone entry was Lee Mueller. Although this was a new car, the Jensen-Healey went on to become one of the few cars in SCCA History to capture a championship in its first year of racing (1973). Lee Mueller captured a second D Production championship in 1974. The factory support ended in 1974, however the West Coast Jensen-Healey dealers combined to put together a late effort in 1975. Huffaker built a new car and although beginning the SCCA season late Mueller, driving again, was able to qualify for the runoffs in Atlanta. A third championship nearly came to pass but the Healey was edged out by the Ex C Production Triumph TR 6 factory team car of Group 44 racing, driven by John McComb. The Huffaker factory cars were later campaigned by the likes of Carl Liebich, Stefan Edliss, Tim Lind, Joe Carr,Tom Kraft and Jim Reilly. Bruce Qvale and Joe Huffaker Jr. from Huffaker Engineering, located at Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma California, successfully campaigned a Jensen Healey in SCCA E Production, winning the SCCA title in 1995. As of 2005-2006 Ron Earp of Cary North Carolina is campaigning a 1974 Jensen Healey in SCCA Improved Touring S class.
[edit] Models
Jensen Healey Mk I, March 1972 - May 1973, VIN 10000 - 13349 (3356 manufactured)
Jensen Healey Mk II and JH5, August 1973 - August 1975, VIN 13500 - 20504 (7142 manufactured)
Jensen GT, September 1975 - May 1976, VIN 3000 - 30510 (509 manufactured)
