1968 JENSON INTERCEPTOR

With this particular car, it would be difficult to imagine a stronger expression of all that is the 1960s. In an era when Great Britain was still a country bursting with creativity and world-leading innovation in music, fashion, technology and engineering, and “La Dolce Vita” wasn’t a strapline but a very real way of life for the carefree International Jet- Set, this particular car was right there in the middle of it.

Jensen, one of Britain’s most prestigious car manufacturers, introduced the Interceptor in 1966. Its styling, by one of Italy’s “Go-to” studios, Touring of Milan, was perfect from the word go. This was coupled with a cabin exquisitely trimmed in finest Connolly leather and Witon carpet. Its looks are still a crowd-puller almost 60 years on. Under this very multi-national collaboration, the Interceptor was blessed with an all- American Chrysler “383” 6.2 litre V8 engine and corresponding Torqueflite auto transmission.

Jensen, not content with producing a stunning trans-continental express, then decided grand innovation was the order of the day. They embarked on a highly ambitious project incorporating further collaboration, and incorporated the Ferguson Formula 4-wheel drive system into an Interceptor. This necessitated lengthening the car between the windscreen and the front wheels, to accommodate the 4x4 central transfer box. A pleasing by-product of this was that the visual proportions of the car were slightly more balanced, with the bonnet to cabin ratio giving the car an even sleeker and more purposeful look. As if this wasn’t enough, a state-of-the-art antilock braking system called Maxaret and produced by Dunlop was also incorporated by the Jensen engineers into what would become the FF. This system was aircraft technology, being used on various jet-powered planes ranging from the de Havilland Comet to the military. These features were so advanced, it would take Audi 12 years to catch up, before they launched the Quattro drivetrain (with ABS) themselves.

This particular Jensen FF was commissioned by Jensen themselves for their own PR to be a showcase for the model. Recently refinished to Concours standards in its stunning original colours of Mist Grey over Crystal Blue, SEA 444G led an extraordinary early life. Enter one Sig Giovanni Agnelli, the richest man in modern Italian history, who employed over 3% of Italy’s industrial national workforce and controlled over 4% of Italy’s total GDP through his majority ownership of the FIAT car concern. More than that, he was also a socialite par excellence, who entertained heads of state and the most beautiful people in his one of his villas or on board his yacht.

Jensen’s press office received a telex requesting that Jensen loan Sig. Agnelli a car for evaluation purposes. Not the sort of man to say not to, after rigorous preparations, this car, original registration SEA 444G, was transported to Italy for his personal use. This was in the summer of 1968, when “Il Avvocato” as he was known, was partying with the likes of Jacqui Kennedy, Sophia Loren and countless other Names that were globally famous and inaccessible. It is obvious that this car joined that rarefied world during his use of it.

Over a period of 30 years, the car resided in a museum in the warm climate of Australia. Following its re-patriation to the U.K., starting with the complex monocoque body on top and underneath, we have carried out, in consultation with some of the most knowledgeable marque experts, a highly detailed restoration of this car. It has been described as one of the best prepared FFs extant, and it drives every bit as well as it looks.

With the Hyperbole of todays world, it is rare when you feel you can say that this FF is probably one of the best and most comprehensively historied Jensens in existence today and is more than just an investment but will be an absolute pleasure and delight for its next owner to enjoy.

With an almost-unmatched provenance, with all original correspondence throughout the car’s history on file, this Jensen represents an opportunity to own an exquisite piece of 1960s art, ready to enjoy and add another chapter to its life.

With an asking price of £225,000, the next owner will undoubtedly own a unique piece of British car manufacturing history that will never again be repeated.