Jensen Interceptor would you have one?

[S2Mike]

Hi Folks, I have found a Jensen Interceptor Mk111 6.3 V8, at a reasonable price, gonna try a swop for my MGB,plus a little cash, had not really considered one of these as most are big money deals, just putting the question out there, Would you have one if you got the chance??
Is there anything major to look for, inspite of it having just passed MOT.

[vixen1700]

If it's a MkIII, it'll be a 7.2 not a 6.3.

Yeah, I'd have one if I owned an oil refinery.

[PoleDriver]

I'd love one, but I'd get a very good independent inspection carried out first!

[rudecherub]

There were a few MkIII's with 6.3's well MII 1/2 as ever it was a case of using up the engines in stock.

but III's are usually 7.2

It's going to be the bodywork. It rusts like a 70's car. The american mechanicals are robust.

Fuel consumption is heavy, but because you waft on a wave of torque it's mostly lazy and effortless, I found it not much different to the 4.6 Range Rover.

[nsmith1180]

On the grounds of what it could cost me, NO. I would not have one.

On the grounds of how unbeleavably cool they look. Where do I pay up?

[OzzyR1]

In a heartbeat, I still remember the one my dad had when I was a kid with very fond memories. Gorgeous smell of old leather and that big curved rear screen.

Don't think I'd be able to afford to run it though, I seem to recall not ever seeing double figures when we worked out mpg...

[vixen1700]

The Crack Fox said:

Oh my word, people are talking about MPG, go and sit on the naughty step the lot of ya'.

Nearly bought one in tha late '80s, Cobalt Blue with magnolia hide and a nice unrestored patina, but even then the fuel consumption scared me out of it. Laughed with a mate about it, that it would only be any good for driving to petrol stations in.

But yeah, they're lovely alright.

[OzzyR1]

The Crack Fox said:

Oh my word, people are talking about MPG, go and sit on the naughty step the lot of ya'.

LOL, I know its not normally a topic of conversation on PH but it is a bloody important one if the OP doesn't know of their reputation for binge drinking already.

With petrol at £7/gallon and a hefty right foot one of these beasts can knock back £1/mile in petrol alone.

[rudecherub]

vixen1700 said:

The Crack Fox said:

Oh my word, people are talking about MPG, go and sit on the naughty step the lot of ya'.

Nearly bought one in tha late '80s, Cobalt Blue with magnolia hide and a nice unrestored patina, but even then the fuel consumption scared me out of it. Laughed with a mate about it, that it would only be any good for driving to petrol stations in.

But yeah, they're lovely alright.

A while ago I had Jensen FFII, and a Audi RS2, and drove my dad's 4.6 Range Rover frequently.

Jensen returned 14-16, as did the RR, and the Audi 18/19 - if you're in single figures you're obeying the instructions printed under the centre box, and or something is wrong.

My dad had a 7.2 in the '80s he saw 17-18 on the motorway. Sitting at 80 the engine isn't working hard.

[TheProfessor]

Jaw dropping car the first time I saw one in the flesh as a 10 year old.

Occasionally come across a left hand drive convertible in the local villages in the summer months.

Watch out for rust as they can go expensively bad on the bodywork front.

Mechanics are straight forward from what I believe.

Worth trying to view the recent (last series?) Wheeler Dealers where they picked up a White series 3 and put it back on the road.

Regards

[Vilhelm]

I'd have one of these, even if they are stupid expensive. I'd probably have an original, too.

[Dr Interceptor]

I do have one.... She's in very fine fettle too

[RDMcG]

Magnificent cars - I would have one if it was in fully restored condition.- terrifying to try to revive one, I think.

[rudecherub]

Vilhelm said:

I'd have one of these, even if they are stupid expensive. I'd probably have an original, too.

If was spending silly money, I'd either go with the Viper engine... or more an all aluminium hemi.

http://bouchillonperformance.com/P5153312_13.asp

which is more akin to the Jensen FFF which was for many years the fastest 0-100-0 car.

[S2Mike]

Thank you all so far, its a scary ride, £1 a mile ouch ! but it is tax exempt so with the saving I can fill the tank twice a year, but YES what a cool motor!! Thanks to The Crack Fox, reading the production figures this looks like a really rare beast, one of only 3 with that engine paint and interior leather combination, there was only 288 built altogether that year. So now I wonder why such a reasonable price?
If the guy doesn't want a swop with the MG, I dont have the funds to pay cash so will share the info on here because someone should buy and love this gorgeous car.

Edited by S2Mike on Friday 6th July 12:28

[Dr Interceptor]

S2Mike said:

Thank you all so far, its a scary ride, £1 a mile ouch ! but it is tax exempt so with the saving I can fill the tank twice a year, but YES what a cool motor!! Thanks to The Crack Fox, reading the production figures this looks like a really rare beast, one of only 3 with that engine paint and interior leather combination, there was only 288 built altogether that year. So now I wonder why such a reasonable price?
If the guy doesn't want a swop with the MG, I dont have the funds to pay cash so will share the info on here because someone should buy and love this gorgeous car.

Make sure you give it a REALLY good look over, and then look over it again! Talk to some of the specialists out there, Appleyards, Rejen - see if they have seen or worked on the car - they'll be able to tell you what kind of fettle its in.

Appleyards is the place for your parts, phone up, give him your card and the parts arrive the next day. They can also supply a full set of parts diagrams - its a big ring bound book, costs £25 but the exploded diagrams make any work much easier.

Mine is a very rare one too - being just one of 86 RHD UK Convertibles, and one of just four (out of the 509) painted Primrose Yellow - possibly the only UK RHD Primrose Yellow Convertible. If you get a good one though, you won't regret it... the feeling of cruising along, looking down that bonnet, with the throb of a Mopar V8 under your toes... beautiful.

Make sure you join the JOC too... its only thirty odd pounds a year, and there's a wealth of knowledge out there!

[Dr Interceptor]

... and chance for another one of mine

[fourwheelsteer]

I'd have one in a heartbeat. As a weekend car doing a few thousand miles a year who cares if it won't do 20mpg? But I'd only want one that I was certain was in good condition - last thing you want to discover is that it has a serious rust problem.

I'd also prefer an early one as I think the grille, wheels and interior were all nicer on the early cars.

[S2Mike]

To be honest the MGB, for which I pay road tax, with "spirited" driving is only fractionally better at 22mpg, and I dont really do that. . . . . . much !! Ha HA..
( I lie so badly)
so if I get the chance and it looks solid enough????
The money from the MG was supposed to fund a newer everyday car, but the old VW will do for a while longer with an opportunity to cruise.

[fireturk]

Dr interceptor, I know there is a Jensen garage in Cropredy (near Banbury), do you know of this garage/ their reputation? Just curious as I always pop in to have a look at what they have when I go to Fairport's annual bash at Cropredy.