1973 Jensen Interceptor III (J-Series) Automatic

Highlights

• 7.2-litre Chrysler V8 and TorqueFlite automatic

• Extensive engine work, including a new camshaft and cam followers and water pump, high flow oil pump, high torque starter motor, fuel pump, alternator, voltage regulator, distributer

• Vented disc brakes front and rear with new discs, pads, and caliper overhaul

• Edelbrock 750 carburettor and Spax Krypton gas adjustable damper

• Gloss black painted chassis and underside

• Blue metallic paint over dark blue leather

• New windscreen

• In current ownership since 1986

Overview

Big V8, room for four and a whole lot of glass: the Jensen Interceptor's recipe is a simple one. Carrozzeria Touring penned the shape before Vignale refined it, giving the car that signature glass tailgate. It's all about effortless Mopar torque, wrapped in a body that's as handsome on the driveway as it is usable on a long trip.

That torque comes from a 7.2-litre Chrysler V8, driving the rear wheels through a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic. Double wishbones up front, a live axle on leaf springs at the back and discs all round complete the picture. It's a genuine four-seater too, making it a true all-rounder, and production ended in 1976 with 6,408 Interceptors built in total.

This 1973 Interceptor III, a J-series car according to the vendor, wears Byron blue metallic paint and a red coachline over dark blue leather. It's been a busy few years for it, with the engine, brakes and gearbox all treated to significant work since 2020. Vented discs sit at both ends, and the satin black chassis and floor make the underside photos a lovely thing to scroll through.

Inside, the original dash layout keeps the 70s GT atmosphere intact, with a row of auxiliary gauges to keep an eye on that V8. (Unable to find a suitable clock replacement a neat electronic clock has been fitted) In current ownership since 1986, it comes with an extensive itemised spending log and a crate of paperwork to back it all up. Fresh running gear, a striking colour scheme and that big-hearted V8 make this an Interceptor that's ready to be driven and enjoyed.

History and Documentation

• First registered 08 Jun 1973

• In current ownership since Nov 1986, with two former keepers according to the original registration document

• Colour change to metallic Byron blue recorded in 2021 (previously white, photo available)

• Historic vehicle tax class, with no current MOT recorded

• HPI clear

• Itemised spending log of 120 lines covering Nov 1986 to Sep 2026, totalling £17,298.94, plus invoices in a history folder; (At time of writing the air con has not been recommissioned, but the car is booked in mid-November 26 to have this done)

• Documented work: Sep 2026 (reconditioned FAG brake servo, brake fluid), Aug 2026 (core plug issue resolved, new camshaft and followers, new water pump fitted), Jun 2026 (aluminium water pump), Mar-May 2026 (specialist labour, carburettor labour, tappet followers and gaskets), Feb 2026 (electronic distributor), Nov-Dec 2025 (front and rear vented disc brakes, bleed screws, seals, bump stops), Jul 2025 (high-power alternator), Mar 2025 (Edelbrock 750 carburettor and ancillaries), Mar 2023 (fuel pump), Jun 2022 (battery), May 2021 (high-volume oil pump), Apr 2021 (reconditioned steering rack), Mar 2021 (Powermaster starter motor, parking sensors, alarm and central locking, rear LED fog lights), Feb 2021 (radiator fan switch), Jan 2021 (Sundym front windscreen), Jul 2020 (master cylinder seal kit, FAG master cylinder, steering rack seal kit), Jun 2020 (gearbox refurbishment by Oakdean Transmissions), Apr 2020 (timing chain, brake caliper, ignition leads, engine mounts, hub oil seals, shock absorbers), 2012 (right-hand front lower wing), 1996 (new radiator cores), 1990 (two door skins, O/S front lower wing repair panel), 1987 (stainless exhaust system), 1986 (cylinder heads overhaul, leaf spring overhaul)

• Workshop manuals for the Jensen Interceptor II/III/SP/FF and the Chrysler 440 CID Mopar engine, plus a large wiring diagram

• Canvas tool roll with jack and wheel brace

• Crate of paperwork, including a 1990 dealer valuation letter and Jensen Owners' Club membership cards dating back to at least 1989

• Two keys, the vendor tells us (one key on fob photographed)

• 57,234 indicated miles on the five-digit odometer; total mileage is confirmed as accurate and backed up with MOT certificates and the fact the car has been dry sorted on axle stand for much of my ownership, due to work and family commitments

Interior

• Dark blue leather with blue carpets and cloth-faced headrests

•  Slight scuffing on the drivers seat and a small patch (30mm square) of carpet pile missing from the drivers carpet

• Four individual seats, with two rear buckets sharing a centre armrest and twin ashtrays

• Driver's seat shows creasing throughout, with scuffing and some colour loss on the outer bolster; no tears

• Other seats are creased with patina and no tears

• Original dash layout with large speedometer, Jaeger rev counter, a row of auxiliary gauges, electronic clock and eyeball vents

• Dash covering is creased at the O/S end

• Aftermarket digital radio with USB

• Gear knob and throttle pedal show wear

• Some exposed wiring under the dash by the steering lock - this is wiring to the stoplight switch and wiring and variable timer for the fuel priming pump; all cable tied neatly

• Carpets are complete, with no wear-through visible - See note above re small patch of pile missing

• Headlining is not visibly sagging

• Boot is trimmed in black bound carpet with light marks and scuffs

Exterior

• Byron Blue metallic paint with red coachline and black vinyl roof

• Chrome bumpers with rubber-faced overriders, quad headlamps and an Interceptor III grille badge alongside a Jensen Owners' Club badge

• Five-spoke alloys look refurbished with no kerbing visible; we're told they were refurbished, and the 2020 log lists wheel polish and paint

• Avon Turbospeed 205/70 VR15 tyres with very little wear from new, plus a matching alloy spare on a Dunlop tyre

• The front valance, while not original, has been fabricated to a high standard by the current owner and can easily be replaced if desired

• Later additions include halo-ring front driving lamps, front and rear parking sensors, auxiliary red LED rear fog lamps, a glass-mounted aerial and door mirrors - drivers mirror adjustable from inside

• Even gaps across the majority of the car, and ride height looks level in profile

• The vendor rates the bodywork very good to excellent with a few minor blemishes, but with no accident damage, and reports rusted panels were replaced; the log supports this along with pictorial evidence

• Slight paint ripple beneath the drip rail at the top of a rear quarter panel by the tailgate

• N/S front overrider rubber is slightly cracked at the top corner (notable scuff)

• Scuttle panel just below the windscreen has a ripple (scrape, possible dent)

• O/S stainless sill trim is kinked near the front wheelarch (scrape, possible dent to trim)

• Front valance has a slight textured refinish on both sides, with light marks on the lower lip (light surface mark)

• Small paint chips at the tailgate seal edge on both rear pillars which have been sorted using matched touch-up paint

• Vinyl has small light marks on the vinyl

• Light scuffs on the O/S front overrider rubber and a small scuff on the N/S rear overrider

• Lower rear valance carries light marks and minor chips

• Door handles and drip rail ends show light pitting, while the chrome is generally bright

Mechanical

• 7,212cc Chrysler V8 petrol engine

• Three-speed TorqueFlite automatic gearbox, refurbished by Oakdean Transmissions in 2020

• Rear-wheel drive

• Classic Road & Rally resolved a core plug issue in Aug 2026, fitting a new camshaft and followers and a new water pump recently

• Edelbrock 750 carburettor and ancillaries bought in Mar 2025, with carburettor labour invoiced in May 2026 and an electronic distributor in Feb 2026

• Vented discs front and rear supplied in late 2025, plus a reconditioned FAG servo invoiced in Sep 2026

• We're told the brake overhaul also included new pads, caliper seals and master cylinder

• Spax Krypton gas adjustable damper fitted, and the leaf springs are painted with fresh fixings and bushes

• Chassis, floor and suspension are finished in satin black; reportedly the underside was taken back to bare metal and given four coats

• Twin stainless silencers, with the exhaust heat wrap torn in two places

• Light oily film around the transmission pan, there is a very slight oil drip coming from the bottom of the bell housing. The felt engine oil seal was replaced while the engine was out; with no active leak confirmed

• Twin electric cooling fans, a high-power alternator and a Yuasa battery with isolator

• According to the vendor, the battery is about four years old and kept on trickle charge

• The vendor tells us it starts on the button and drives well

• Reportedly dry stored on axle stands for approximately most of the seller's ownership

• Air conditioning compressor fitted, but we're told the system hasn't been recommissioned but is booked in for mid-November 2026

• Recent engine, brake and gearbox work leaves it ready to use

Summary

With a 7.2-litre V8, a refurbished gearbox and a raft of fresh engine and brake work, this Interceptor III has had serious mechanical attention. It looks the part too, in Byron blue metallic over dark blue leather, and 40 years in current ownership have left it with a paper trail to match. It's ready to use, so the next owner can get straight on with enjoying that V8.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Grantham, Lincolnshire