Tuesday 9th April 2013

Jensen Viperceptor: You Know You Want To

This Jensen ain't no ordinary Interceptor

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The Jensen Interceptor is a favourite for the discerning PHer, indeed making it into the final rankings of the 100 Greatest Cars Of All Time (according to PHers) not so long ago.

There's an awful lot of work in this car

Having recently seen an exceptional burgundy Mk2 Interceptor lovingly restored – and available to hire - by Great Car Escapes, the mind wanders to the market for classic Interceptors. And then gets diverted by the Viperceptor, the ultimate 21st century modernisation of the original and fitted (clue is in the name) with an 8.3-litre Viper V10.

The beast in question is the vision of Brook Anderson, who began the project back in 2010 with a 1974 Jensen. Alongside the team at Valley Gas Speed Shop in Hampshire they set to work on creating the Viperceptor, two years of work realising this creation with 510hp and 535lb ft of torque and now for sale at an appropriately burly £149,000.  

In case the standard V8 isn't enough...

You can argue the toss over the marriage of modern mechanicals and the sacrifice of an original car in the name of ultimate power – and our friends at Classic and Sports Car already have – but as an alternative to that other Viper powered Brit bruiser, the Bristol Fighter, it’s a compelling package. And as a true one-off makes the Bristol look positively common.

 

 

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JENSEN VIPERCEPTOR
Price: £149,995
Why you should: It’s an Interceptor with a 510hp Viper engine – what more reason do you need?
Why you shouldn't: You can buy an original 7.2 V8 Mk3 for £100,000 less and have just as much fun

See the original advert here and a website dedicated to the build here.

[toppstuff]

It's a lovely idea but poorly executed IMO.

Somehow they have managed to make an elegant design look properly ugly.

[Davey S2]

Love the idea but that one just doesn't do it for me.

[marksx]

Modern mechanicals yes. Pig ugly 'modern' body. No thanks.

The LS3 powered one shown on Top Gear a few years ago was much more tasteful.

[adzpz]

Looks like a product of Discovery Channel's Chop Shop!

[MacW]

Needs spacers, looks like it's sucking it's cheeks in.

Other than that I quite like it. Not sure I like it to the tune of £149k but then I don't have £149k so the question is moot

[007 VXR]

[premio]

I love it!

[Dr Interceptor]

I've seen this car in the flesh, and have also seen a number of the Cropredy Bridge LS engine conversions... this car just looses too many of the Intereceptors design details for my liking.

I'm oot.

[haloboy]

Yeah but No but Yeah... Good effort I just think it lacks elegance. To brutal me thinks.

[TaylotS2K]

Only the other day I was looking at the Jensen's in the classifieds. Up there with the Muira for the coolest looking cars of all time for me. This doesn't do it justice looks wise.

[0a]

It would have been cool if it was completely standard on the outside...

[tobinen]

I think it's a great idea but just not quite there in the looks dept. Wouldn't say no though.

[TaylotS2K]

More pics here

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/k...

[Captain Muppet]

I love everything in front of the door mirrors except the wheels.

I hate the slot in front of the rear wheels, hate the mirrors, hate the rear lights and hate the wheels.

I'd quite like to be able to refer to my car as "the first of the V10 Interceptors".

So on balance I'm in. If someone can give me enough money to buy it, and some new wheels, rear lights, mirror and fill in that slot.

Although I'd rather spend that much on hundreds of other things.



I've just realised that I love the front because it reminds me of a modern Challenger, so maybe just one of those instead.

[anonymous-user]

It's the mirrors that are wrong. Really, really wrong.

[jbrisley]

They should have really kept more original styling, just noticed those wing mirrors awful!

[toppstuff]

I don't think the designer understands the original Interceptor at all.

It may well be sorted mechanically, but in terms of style and image it's a total failure in terms of being a modern interpretation of the Interceptor.

The Interceptor was all about being classy and understated. American muscle car in a Italian suit, by Vignale and Carrozzeria.

This looks like a tracksuit from JD Sports.

[andyps]

It has taken an elegant, almost timeless design and added far too much too it. In my view, the original was so good because of the lack of adornment that this has too much of. I'll take mine with standard looks please.

[mickymellon1]

that is ruined - mirrors and wheels are the worst

[Rochellc01]

what, am i the only person that thinks this looks A LOT bteer than the original design.