1971 Jensen

During the ten years of production the Interceptor steadily evolved with a number of different models culminating in the ultimate SP model launched in 1971 as the company flagship. Featuring a 7 litre V8 engine with six pack carburettor producing 385 bhp, it was one of the most powerful road cars of the time and looked the part too with on trend vinyl roof, cool fully louvred bonnet, air conditioning and Learjet 8 track stereo.This fine example of the SP is only the 5th produced of 219 right hand drive cars for the UK market. Finished in its original shade of yellow with black leather interior and vinyl roof it was delivered new to Phillip Berg Ltd on the 25th of November 1971. A second owner, a Mr Anthony C Rose purchased the SP on the 1st March 1978 and retained it until the 14th September 1980 when third owner, a Mr David P Whitehead of Haslemere, Surrey purchased it. The fourth owner from the 2nd of May 1984 was a Mr Alan D Marchant, again a resident of Haslemere. He laid the car up in 1986 at which point it had covered 42,016 miles from new.

In April 2014 the Jensen was fortunate to have been spotted for sale by the fifth and last owner, a resident of Gloucestershire who had been looking for an SP for some time. At this point the car was in very original but tired order, however it was running and complete, a perfect candidate for a restoration which began in 2016.

A substantial history file and even a fully illustrated book published by this last fastidious owner shows that the SP was completely stripped with the body off the chassis and every item replaced or refurbished to the highest standards prior to reassembly. The list of works is fully documented but too exhaustive to list here, but suffice it to say, no compromises were made including many upgrades to overcome the Jensen bugbear of poor reliability. For example, the engine now features a new Holley carburettor, the biggest that will fit, more powerful and reliable than the original six pack and an accepted upgrade in Jensen circles. However, the fully refurbished original six pack accompanies the car along with the associated parts. The cooling system, brakes and suspension system are similarly upgraded as was the air conditioning. The chassis and body were fully refinished and the interior retrimmed as necessary in the correct black Connolly Vaumol leather.

Finished in 2018, this must now be one of the finest examples of the SP about and most importantly it drives superbly and everything works correctly, including the original Learjet 8 track, currently with Tommy by The Who appropriately in the player.

A great example of the ultimate Interceptor restored without compromise.