1973 Jensen Interceptor MkIII
Discussion
I have just dropped off my SD1 at the London car storage place that I use from time to time, and I saw there a silver Interceptor Coupe - a rare thing indeed (very late, P reg, maybe sold when new by the Administrators of the company) . I will take a photo of it when next there. Its carburetor is off for tweaking.
I was not home last weekend so have not yet had a look in my shed for the spare Interceptor carb that lurks there.
I was not home last weekend so have not yet had a look in my shed for the spare Interceptor carb that lurks there.
Breadvan72 said:
I have just dropped off my SD1 at the London car storage place that I use from time to time, and I saw there a silver Interceptor Coupe - a rare thing indeed (very late, P reg, maybe sold when new by the Administrators of the company) . I will take a photo of it when next there. Its carburetor is off for tweaking.
I was not home last weekend so have not yet had a look in my shed for the spare Interceptor carb that lurks there.
Convertible arse end and an XJ6 rear screen... rare indeed, if slightly ungainly?I was not home last weekend so have not yet had a look in my shed for the spare Interceptor carb that lurks there.
Yes, not the best favoured Jensen ever, and also not really a coupe, strictly speaking. Alleged to be one of the slowest and heaviest variants. I was surprised to see the ugly and thin rimmed two spoke steering wheel in the car, as I had thought that by the end of the line a sporty three spoke drilled steering wheel was a standard fit.
I have a bias towards the Mark 2 Interceptor as the best of the bunch, as it is the fastest one and has a groovy and simple interior.
I have a bias towards the Mark 2 Interceptor as the best of the bunch, as it is the fastest one and has a groovy and simple interior.
A little late to the party , but here we go :-)
Slightly biased , but I am with BreadVan as the Mark 2 is definitely the best of the bunch . Lowest surviving rate at 213 left in the world ( out of 1218 built ) , 6.3 liter high compression engine without the USA smog stuff fitted resulting in high power output at 335 bhp so properly fast by modern standards . The early production ones ( as mine / 19th Mark 2 produced ) have a lot of styling parts of the Mark 1 .
Mark 2's were also the first with airconditioning ( not a feature in the Mark 1 ) , a feature you can definitely appreciate in hot weather ...
Supersonic Velvet ...
Getting properly special and atm still within reach with 'normal' prices as opposed to its direct contemporary rivals of the time ( Aston DBS , Maserati Ghibli , Lamborghini Islero , Ferrari Daytona ...
You could have had 3 Jaguar E types for the price of an Interceptor in 1969 ...
You only have to look at the celebrity list of former owners to know this car was pretty special even in its time .
The only disadvantage was the fact that it had no motorsport heritage , hence the low prices for years and following neglect by then owners to maintain them properly . This results in the low survival rate for Mark 1 and especially Mark 2's as opposed to say Aston DBS .
But .... prices are climbing upwards very quickly as people find out they are really super cars to drive and reliable if taken care of properly .
I myself had the chance to drive and choose between the Jensen and an Aston DBS ( when prices were not yet silly as per today ) and honestly must say the Jensen was a far better driver . Not even talking about the of the engine which as some might know was a bullet proof Chrysler V8 in the Jensen with spare parts and upgrades galore at normal prices , as opposed to Aston's 'fragile' and exclusive engine ( read : expensive ) parts . Still love the look of the DBS , but can only say it really is a big and heavy car compared to the Jensen .
Jensen was ahead of its game at the time ( see Interceptor FF : the first real 4x4 luxury GT 25 years ahead of Audi with their quattro 'vorsprung durch technik' marketing lie ... ) . Interceptor MK2 had 335 bhp as standard as opposed to 285 bhp for the Aston . And that was in standard trim . You could even get a Jensen SP ( Six Pack ) , a souped up hotrodded version of the Interceptor with factory standard 385 bhp . The fastest saloon money could buy at the time .
And if all this doesn't convince you , wait until you here starting one up with straight through backpipes as mine . Makes my rainy day into a sunny one every time .
Happy to answer your questions .
As already stated join the Jensen forum . It is really a close circle of enthousiasts ; not the usual chit chat club of boy racers . At 43 yrs old I think I am th youngest lad there ;-)
Cheers , Harald
Slightly biased , but I am with BreadVan as the Mark 2 is definitely the best of the bunch . Lowest surviving rate at 213 left in the world ( out of 1218 built ) , 6.3 liter high compression engine without the USA smog stuff fitted resulting in high power output at 335 bhp so properly fast by modern standards . The early production ones ( as mine / 19th Mark 2 produced ) have a lot of styling parts of the Mark 1 .
Mark 2's were also the first with airconditioning ( not a feature in the Mark 1 ) , a feature you can definitely appreciate in hot weather ...
Supersonic Velvet ...
Getting properly special and atm still within reach with 'normal' prices as opposed to its direct contemporary rivals of the time ( Aston DBS , Maserati Ghibli , Lamborghini Islero , Ferrari Daytona ...
You could have had 3 Jaguar E types for the price of an Interceptor in 1969 ...
You only have to look at the celebrity list of former owners to know this car was pretty special even in its time .
The only disadvantage was the fact that it had no motorsport heritage , hence the low prices for years and following neglect by then owners to maintain them properly . This results in the low survival rate for Mark 1 and especially Mark 2's as opposed to say Aston DBS .
But .... prices are climbing upwards very quickly as people find out they are really super cars to drive and reliable if taken care of properly .
I myself had the chance to drive and choose between the Jensen and an Aston DBS ( when prices were not yet silly as per today ) and honestly must say the Jensen was a far better driver . Not even talking about the of the engine which as some might know was a bullet proof Chrysler V8 in the Jensen with spare parts and upgrades galore at normal prices , as opposed to Aston's 'fragile' and exclusive engine ( read : expensive ) parts . Still love the look of the DBS , but can only say it really is a big and heavy car compared to the Jensen .
Jensen was ahead of its game at the time ( see Interceptor FF : the first real 4x4 luxury GT 25 years ahead of Audi with their quattro 'vorsprung durch technik' marketing lie ... ) . Interceptor MK2 had 335 bhp as standard as opposed to 285 bhp for the Aston . And that was in standard trim . You could even get a Jensen SP ( Six Pack ) , a souped up hotrodded version of the Interceptor with factory standard 385 bhp . The fastest saloon money could buy at the time .
And if all this doesn't convince you , wait until you here starting one up with straight through backpipes as mine . Makes my rainy day into a sunny one every time .
Happy to answer your questions .
As already stated join the Jensen forum . It is really a close circle of enthousiasts ; not the usual chit chat club of boy racers . At 43 yrs old I think I am th youngest lad there ;-)
Cheers , Harald
Harald1974 said:
A little late to the party , but here we go :-)
Slightly biased , but I am with BreadVan as the Mark 2 is definitely the best of the bunch . Lowest surviving rate at 213 left in the world ( out of 1218 built ) , 6.3 liter high compression engine without the USA smog stuff fitted resulting in high power output at 335 bhp so properly fast by modern standards . The early production ones ( as mine / 19th Mark 2 produced ) have a lot of styling parts of the Mark 1 .
Mark 2's were also the first with airconditioning ( not a feature in the Mark 1 ) , a feature you can definitely appreciate in hot weather ...
Supersonic Velvet ...
Getting properly special and atm still within reach with 'normal' prices as opposed to its direct contemporary rivals of the time ( Aston DBS , Maserati Ghibli , Lamborghini Islero , Ferrari Daytona ...
You could have had 3 Jaguar E types for the price of an Interceptor in 1969 ...
You only have to look at the celebrity list of former owners to know this car was pretty special even in its time .
The only disadvantage was the fact that it had no motorsport heritage , hence the low prices for years and following neglect by then owners to maintain them properly . This results in the low survival rate for Mark 1 and especially Mark 2's as opposed to say Aston DBS .
But .... prices are climbing upwards very quickly as people find out they are really super cars to drive and reliable if taken care of properly .
I myself had the chance to drive and choose between the Jensen and an Aston DBS ( when prices were not yet silly as per today ) and honestly must say the Jensen was a far better driver . Not even talking about the of the engine which as some might know was a bullet proof Chrysler V8 in the Jensen with spare parts and upgrades galore at normal prices , as opposed to Aston's 'fragile' and exclusive engine ( read : expensive ) parts . Still love the look of the DBS , but can only say it really is a big and heavy car compared to the Jensen .
Jensen was ahead of its game at the time ( see Interceptor FF : the first real 4x4 luxury GT 25 years ahead of Audi with their quattro 'vorsprung durch technik' marketing lie ... ) . Interceptor MK2 had 335 bhp as standard as opposed to 285 bhp for the Aston . And that was in standard trim . You could even get a Jensen SP ( Six Pack ) , a souped up hotrodded version of the Interceptor with factory standard 385 bhp . The fastest saloon money could buy at the time .
And if all this doesn't convince you , wait until you here starting one up with straight through backpipes as mine . Makes my rainy day into a sunny one every time .
Happy to answer your questions .
As already stated join the Jensen forum . It is really a close circle of enthousiasts ; not the usual chit chat club of boy racers . At 43 yrs old I think I am th youngest lad there ;-)
Cheers , Harald
Harald that is one very impressive looking Mk II, thanks for sharing. I agree that the Mk II is highly desirable and interesting to hear your comparison with the AM V8. I missed the boat on those back in 2013/14 when prices went haywire. E.g. a lovely 1978 model in Cumberland Grey for sale privately at 29k, snapped up by an investor and a matter of weeks later was back on the market at 44k.Slightly biased , but I am with BreadVan as the Mark 2 is definitely the best of the bunch . Lowest surviving rate at 213 left in the world ( out of 1218 built ) , 6.3 liter high compression engine without the USA smog stuff fitted resulting in high power output at 335 bhp so properly fast by modern standards . The early production ones ( as mine / 19th Mark 2 produced ) have a lot of styling parts of the Mark 1 .
Mark 2's were also the first with airconditioning ( not a feature in the Mark 1 ) , a feature you can definitely appreciate in hot weather ...
Supersonic Velvet ...
Getting properly special and atm still within reach with 'normal' prices as opposed to its direct contemporary rivals of the time ( Aston DBS , Maserati Ghibli , Lamborghini Islero , Ferrari Daytona ...
You could have had 3 Jaguar E types for the price of an Interceptor in 1969 ...
You only have to look at the celebrity list of former owners to know this car was pretty special even in its time .
The only disadvantage was the fact that it had no motorsport heritage , hence the low prices for years and following neglect by then owners to maintain them properly . This results in the low survival rate for Mark 1 and especially Mark 2's as opposed to say Aston DBS .
But .... prices are climbing upwards very quickly as people find out they are really super cars to drive and reliable if taken care of properly .
I myself had the chance to drive and choose between the Jensen and an Aston DBS ( when prices were not yet silly as per today ) and honestly must say the Jensen was a far better driver . Not even talking about the of the engine which as some might know was a bullet proof Chrysler V8 in the Jensen with spare parts and upgrades galore at normal prices , as opposed to Aston's 'fragile' and exclusive engine ( read : expensive ) parts . Still love the look of the DBS , but can only say it really is a big and heavy car compared to the Jensen .
Jensen was ahead of its game at the time ( see Interceptor FF : the first real 4x4 luxury GT 25 years ahead of Audi with their quattro 'vorsprung durch technik' marketing lie ... ) . Interceptor MK2 had 335 bhp as standard as opposed to 285 bhp for the Aston . And that was in standard trim . You could even get a Jensen SP ( Six Pack ) , a souped up hotrodded version of the Interceptor with factory standard 385 bhp . The fastest saloon money could buy at the time .
And if all this doesn't convince you , wait until you here starting one up with straight through backpipes as mine . Makes my rainy day into a sunny one every time .
Happy to answer your questions .
As already stated join the Jensen forum . It is really a close circle of enthousiasts ; not the usual chit chat club of boy racers . At 43 yrs old I think I am th youngest lad there ;-)
Cheers , Harald
Spares prices are great, £60 for a water pump v £900 on an AM V8 !
I joined the Jensen owners club at the NEC show last November. Really friendly and helpful Club and active forum.
Think I just managed to get my foot on the ladder in time with my Mk III. It's at a level I'm comfortable with investment wise with plenty of capacity to improve and develop.
Hi folks, thought it was time for an update on progress with the Interceptor.
Really pleased with progress, the car is receiving some much needed attention aimed at recommissioning for reliable use.
Water pump housing has been removed and the broken bolt extracted from the thermostat housing.
This in turn has revealed a couple of corroded pipes that need changing along with the state of the thermostat cover. Has the appearance of something salvaged from the Titanic rather than the engine bay of a 1973 Interceptor!
View of the engine bay with various ancillaries stripped. Alarmingly it was discovered that the crank pulley bolt was loose!
A few general shots which pick out various things that need attending to and parts to order:
Propshaft oil seal to change.
Speedo drive oil seal also leaking
Both manifold gaskets need changing and downpipe joints require attention to sure leaks. Manifolds can be fun to remove as the studs pass through the water jacket on these 440 Chrysler engines! I'm very fortunate that the guys working on the car know these engines inside out and are doing a very thorough job.
Alternator belt tensioner pulley is worn and needs replacing.
Great to see these issues being uncovered and addressed. Will keep the thread updated with latest developments. Latest decision is..............engine coming out ! More news to follow!
Really pleased with progress, the car is receiving some much needed attention aimed at recommissioning for reliable use.
Water pump housing has been removed and the broken bolt extracted from the thermostat housing.
This in turn has revealed a couple of corroded pipes that need changing along with the state of the thermostat cover. Has the appearance of something salvaged from the Titanic rather than the engine bay of a 1973 Interceptor!
View of the engine bay with various ancillaries stripped. Alarmingly it was discovered that the crank pulley bolt was loose!
A few general shots which pick out various things that need attending to and parts to order:
Propshaft oil seal to change.
Speedo drive oil seal also leaking
Both manifold gaskets need changing and downpipe joints require attention to sure leaks. Manifolds can be fun to remove as the studs pass through the water jacket on these 440 Chrysler engines! I'm very fortunate that the guys working on the car know these engines inside out and are doing a very thorough job.
Alternator belt tensioner pulley is worn and needs replacing.
Great to see these issues being uncovered and addressed. Will keep the thread updated with latest developments. Latest decision is..............engine coming out ! More news to follow!
Edited by bigfella70 on Saturday 16th September 07:45
Breadvan72 said:
In London I used a small firm of American car specialists at King's Cross. They looked after US muscle cars and also Bristols and Jensens. I tended to avoid marque specialists Cropredy Bridge - very expensive and only average good, I thought.
The chaps with the bison head over the arch? If so that's going back some!!!!!Obviously that's all been redeveloped now so I don't know if they stayed in the area?
Having spent thousands supporting a huge number of so called 'American car specialists' in London the chap I eventually found was brilliant. Genuine depth of knowledge and didn't fanny about just fixed things first time. A chap called Andy whose garage is on the Goldhawk Road.
Thanks!
Lots of developments on the project and more photos will follow hopefully tomorrow.
Engine is now out and the following work is being progressed:
Heads removed (traces of silicone visible at rear of engine where the heads mate to the block, didn't want to chance any issues.
Exhaust manifolds removed and studs / gaskets to be replaced
Slight wear on cam lobes and followers- camshaft kit ordered and these will be replaced whilst engine is out for good measure
Block will be cleaned externally and water galleries flushed
Prep and painting of heads and block, reassemble with new gaskets etc
Other miscellaneous jobs noted such as exhaust bracket, brake hose etc
Radiator will be power flushed and new otter switch to be fitted
Worth investing the time money and effort to get the car thoroughly recommissioned , more details to follow..........
Lots of developments on the project and more photos will follow hopefully tomorrow.
Engine is now out and the following work is being progressed:
Heads removed (traces of silicone visible at rear of engine where the heads mate to the block, didn't want to chance any issues.
Exhaust manifolds removed and studs / gaskets to be replaced
Slight wear on cam lobes and followers- camshaft kit ordered and these will be replaced whilst engine is out for good measure
Block will be cleaned externally and water galleries flushed
Prep and painting of heads and block, reassemble with new gaskets etc
Other miscellaneous jobs noted such as exhaust bracket, brake hose etc
Radiator will be power flushed and new otter switch to be fitted
Worth investing the time money and effort to get the car thoroughly recommissioned , more details to follow..........
Ok so it's been about 6 weeks since my last update, busy time but lots been happening with the Interceptor, some photos to cover progress that's been made:
New gasket set fitted along with water pump, new camshaft kit, thermostat housing with new high flow item.
More details to follow...
New gasket set fitted along with water pump, new camshaft kit, thermostat housing with new high flow item.
More details to follow...
Ok almost two months since my last update and lots been happening!
The Interceptor is built back up, new aluminium radiator fitted to complement the Robey twin fans, new waterpump and high flow thermostat. Wanted to go right through the cooling system to ensure tha car is match fit for the summer!
Carter thermoquad carburettor has been rebuilt with a kit supplied by Robeys. This is original figment for the MK III. There are a number of alternative carbs and inlet manifolds but my approach has been to try get everything running to standard spec then consider and improvements down the line....
So everything engine wise built up and block painted prior to installation. Ancillaries built back up including new PAS pump.....
Whole car was given a one with over with regard to suspension and running gear. A few things like rear spring shackle bolts just being made up from threaded bar rather than high tensile were rectified along with new exhaust mounts and various rubber components.
Snagging and MOT followed and the Jensen is now back on the road and running very nicely!
Gauge readings all good and the cooling system is functioning extremely well. On extended Rickover the twin fans will pull the temp down sufficiently to deactivate on the otter switch. There's a manual override built in as well.
Managed a few local runs before gritters were out and about to start breaking the car in after very light use over last few years. Plenty of cosmetic improvements to make along with a few minor electrical jobs but really pleased to have the car back roadworthy and usable !
More to follow in 2018, in the meantime wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!
The Interceptor is built back up, new aluminium radiator fitted to complement the Robey twin fans, new waterpump and high flow thermostat. Wanted to go right through the cooling system to ensure tha car is match fit for the summer!
Carter thermoquad carburettor has been rebuilt with a kit supplied by Robeys. This is original figment for the MK III. There are a number of alternative carbs and inlet manifolds but my approach has been to try get everything running to standard spec then consider and improvements down the line....
So everything engine wise built up and block painted prior to installation. Ancillaries built back up including new PAS pump.....
Whole car was given a one with over with regard to suspension and running gear. A few things like rear spring shackle bolts just being made up from threaded bar rather than high tensile were rectified along with new exhaust mounts and various rubber components.
Snagging and MOT followed and the Jensen is now back on the road and running very nicely!
Gauge readings all good and the cooling system is functioning extremely well. On extended Rickover the twin fans will pull the temp down sufficiently to deactivate on the otter switch. There's a manual override built in as well.
Managed a few local runs before gritters were out and about to start breaking the car in after very light use over last few years. Plenty of cosmetic improvements to make along with a few minor electrical jobs but really pleased to have the car back roadworthy and usable !
More to follow in 2018, in the meantime wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!
Cant help but always be tempted when one appears: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Thanks everyone for the positive feedback, much appreciated!
There were a number of issues I'd spotted such as heater and coolant hoses past their best, PAS pump noisy, fans not wired into an otter switch, broken bolt in thermostats cover, end float in water pump, manifold to down-pipe joints leaking etc.
When we got into the weeds it was decided that it would be best to pull the engine (manifold gaskets needed changing and some suspect looking silicone evident at rear of head to block joint). This allowed the heads to be pulled, all assemblies prepped and painted out of the car prior to refitting with new gasket sets.
Carb needed a rebuild, belt tensioner and water pump were shot, camshaft and followers showing slight witness marks hence replaced as precaution. Plus lots of other things such as an aluminium radiator, gearbox service and all running gear checked and any issues addressed. The list went in as often does once you get into these things and adopt the "whilst I'm there" approach.
In essence far more work has been carried out that I would have first anticipated or planned however one underway the more thorough approach made sense. Lots more still to do with minor electrical jobs and some cosmetic improvements but that can be done on a rolling basis.
At this stage the car is far better and the only negative is that my bank balance is rather more dented than first anticipated! Will all be worthwhile though and I class the money spent as a good investment towards future enjoyment !
skeeterm5 said:
Great looking car OP.
The pictures from the start looked like the car was in good condition, did you end up having to do more than you expected to it?
S
To start off with the car was very solid with a nice interior and the engine ran well with great oil pressure. What I'd planned on was a good recommissioning, given that the car had hardly covered any mileage between MOT's for at least the last five years.The pictures from the start looked like the car was in good condition, did you end up having to do more than you expected to it?
S
There were a number of issues I'd spotted such as heater and coolant hoses past their best, PAS pump noisy, fans not wired into an otter switch, broken bolt in thermostats cover, end float in water pump, manifold to down-pipe joints leaking etc.
When we got into the weeds it was decided that it would be best to pull the engine (manifold gaskets needed changing and some suspect looking silicone evident at rear of head to block joint). This allowed the heads to be pulled, all assemblies prepped and painted out of the car prior to refitting with new gasket sets.
Carb needed a rebuild, belt tensioner and water pump were shot, camshaft and followers showing slight witness marks hence replaced as precaution. Plus lots of other things such as an aluminium radiator, gearbox service and all running gear checked and any issues addressed. The list went in as often does once you get into these things and adopt the "whilst I'm there" approach.
In essence far more work has been carried out that I would have first anticipated or planned however one underway the more thorough approach made sense. Lots more still to do with minor electrical jobs and some cosmetic improvements but that can be done on a rolling basis.
At this stage the car is far better and the only negative is that my bank balance is rather more dented than first anticipated! Will all be worthwhile though and I class the money spent as a good investment towards future enjoyment !
Most restorations cost far more than you anticipated at the outset (well, in my experience at least 
) But starting with a relatively rust-free car must have made a huge difference.
A pal of mine bought an Interceptor in the '80s and we embarked on "a light cosmetic restoration". Nine years later we'd made limited progress due to cash and, principally, extensive tinworm; far more than we'd anticipated. It was sold as an 'unfinished project' in about 1998 never to be seen again
By contrast, loving the progress in your case!
) But starting with a relatively rust-free car must have made a huge difference. A pal of mine bought an Interceptor in the '80s and we embarked on "a light cosmetic restoration". Nine years later we'd made limited progress due to cash and, principally, extensive tinworm; far more than we'd anticipated. It was sold as an 'unfinished project' in about 1998 never to be seen again
By contrast, loving the progress in your case!
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