Jensen CV8
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Jensen CV8 | |
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| Manufacturer | Jensen |
| Production | 1962-1966 |
| Predecessor | Jensen 541 |
| Successor | Jensen Interceptor |
| Body style | 2-door saloon |
| Engine | 5916–6276 cc V-8 |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual 3-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 105 inches (2667 mm) |
| Length | 184 inches (4674 mm]] |
| Width | 67 inches (1702 mm) |
The Jensen C-V8 was a sports car.
It was the successor to the 541 series of Jensen motorcars and shared their use of fibreglass as a body material (only the door skins were metal).
The C-V8 used big block Chrysler engines, at first the 361 and from 1964 the 383 in³ which produced 330 bhp. A few were fitted with standard transmissions but most left the factory with the excellent Chrysler Torqueflite automatic. Since the majority of C-V8s were made for the British market, only 8 examples were made in left-hand drive (LHD) and such cars are prized today by European and American collectors.
As a result of the fibreglass bodywork and the fact that the large twin-tube frame was set in from the perimeter of the car, many examples of this model have survived the years in better shape than many contemporary vehicles and continue to provide a comfortable high performance driving experience.
Being able to achieve a top speed of 136 mph, run the quarter mile in 14.6 seconds and 0 - 60 in 6.7 seconds made this an automobile whose performance was unmatched at the time by any other production four seater.
The styling was done by the factory, and was ...controversial. It was decidedly unusual and the slant eyed look either repelled or attracted people with little middle ground. This perhaps contributed to the relatively small total production from 1962 to 1966 of 500 cars.
The car was upgraded to Mk II specification in 1963 with Selectaride dampers fitted to the rear. The 1965 Mk III had both pairs of front headlights made the same size and a dual circuit braking system.
The Jensen CV-8 Mk II was featured in the ITC television series The Baron made in 1965/66.
