Jensen Interceptor

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Jensen Interceptor

Manufacturer	Jensen
Production	1966-1976 6,408 produced
Predecessor	Jensen CV8
Successor	none
Class	Grand Tourer
Body style	2-door 4 seat saloon 2-door 4 seat convertible 2-door 4 seat coupé
Engine	6276/7212 cc (383/440 cu. in.) V-8
Transmission	4 speed manual automatic
Wheelbase	105 inches (2667 mm)
Length	186 inches (4724 mm)
Width	69 inches (1752 mm)

The Jensen Interceptor was a sporting GT-class car hand-built in the United Kingdom by Jensen Motors between 1966 and 1976. The car broke with Jensen tradition by having a steel bodyshell instead of glass-reinforced plastic and by having the body designed by an outside firm, Touring of Italy, rather than the in-house staff. The early bodies were Italian-built, by Vignale, before production began in West Bromwich.

The engine was a Chrysler V-8 initially of 6276 cc (383 c.i.) with optional manual (Mk I, only few built) or TorqueFlite automatic transmissions driving the rear wheels through a Powr-Lok differential in conventional Dana rear axle. The engine grew to 7212 cc (440 c.i.) in late 1971 with 4-bbl carburation. The SP (Six-Pack) model of 1971-73 offered 3x2-bbl carburation, only 232 built and has the distinction of being the most powerful car ever to have been made by Jensen.

The Mk II was announced in October 1969, revised frontal styling and vented disc brakes. The Mk III of 1971 had revised seats, fully-cast alloy wheels plus some other improvements. The Mk III was divided to G-, H- and J-series, depending on the production years. The "J" version of Interceptor III was the most luxurious Jensen built.

Jensen were one of the first manufacturers to equip a production car with four-wheel drive, in the shape of the 1967 Jensen FF (Ferguson Formula). At the time it was hailed as a remarkable development, coming also with anti-lock brakes and traction control. The car was four inches (100 mm) longer than a 'standard' Interceptor, with the addition of two side vents on the front flanks. Press from the time quote "drag-strip" performance when describing the car. 320 Mk I, 109 Mk II and 15 Mk III FFs were made.^[1]

Jensen Interceptor III Convertible (1974)

A convertible with powered soft top was introduced in 1974 mainly intended for the American market but also sold in Europe. 267 convertibles were made.^[1]

Rarer still is the Coupe version with just 60 made^[1], derived from the convertible and introduced in 1975, just a year before the company's demise. It could be said though this version detracted from the rakish, stylish looks of the GT.

The Interceptor was briefly re-introduced in the 1980s as the Series 4 (S4), as a low-volume 'specialist' motor car in much the same way Bristol continue to market and manufacture their cars. Though the body remained essentially the same, a newer, so called 'cleaner', engine was used and the interior slightly re-designed with the addition of 'sports' front seats as opposed to the armchair style of the earlier models.

It wasn't to be, however. The then owner sold up in 1988 to an engineering company believed to be in a stronger position to manufacture the car, and they did commence development work on a series 5 (S5) Interceptor which lasted until 1993, until once again receivers were called in. The end of "Gentleman's Express".

A brand new Jensen, the SV8, was created in 2001. It was a two-seater sports model, around the size of a Porsche 911, and was priced at £40,000. Production ceased in 2002, with the company going bankrupt after only a handful of cars were produced.

[edit] Jensen Interceptor in Popular Culture

Interior of an Interceptor

Jason King played by Peter Wyngarde drove an Interceptor in his eponymous TV series.
Harry Rule, played by Robert Vaughn, drove a metallic brown Jensen Interceptor in the 1972/73 series of "The Protectors".
'Commander Straker' (Ed Bishop) drives an Interceptor in episode 'Confetti Check A-OK' of UFO (TV series), rather than his usual turbine-car.
Inspector Lynley (Nathaniel Parker) drives one in the earlier seasons of "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries". He drives a Bristol in the later seasons.
A 1976 Briazs Blue Jensen Interceptor Series 3 Saloon was driven by The Saint in the six made-for-TV movies in 1989 starring Simon Dutton as The Saint. This particular car was supplied directly by Jensen, who upgraded the front grill, wheels, and other accessories make it look more like the Series 4. After filming, the Saint's Jensen Interceptor was anointed with a plaque on the dashboard heralding its Saintly duties, and sold to a Doctor in England.
Quoted in the track 'Teenage Dad On His Estate' by Morrissey on the deluxe edition of 2002's You Are The Quarry - "Teenage dad on, on his estate; He's happy - so leave him alone; With his baby and his modest home; He's happy - so leave him alone; With his Jensen Interceptor; It's just a runaround"
Also "The Royal" A ITV hospital series driven by the hospital administrator
Vinnie Jones suffers an Interceptor breaking down in a 2007 commercial advertisement for the RAC. The fault is apparently rectified by replacement of the air filter.
for other appearances see the Internet Movie Cars Database at IMCDb