RE: Spotted: Jensen SV8

[squirrelz]

Didn't they destroy the pressings by using steel panels instead of the aluminium they were designed for? Or am I confusing it with something else?

[Roadster25]

Is it just me who thinks it looks like a big Daihatsu Copen?

[hairykrishna]

For 35k I'd rather buy a half way decent interceptor then pay someone to drop in a more modern engine.

[Dr Interceptor]

hairykrishna said:

For 35k I'd rather buy a half way decent interceptor then pay someone to drop in a more modern engine.

Great idea until you drive one that's had an engine swap

The front of the Jensen is light, even with the 7.2 V8 up front - when you drive one that has been swapped out for one of the modern LS engines, the lack of front end grip is frightening. The only car that would avoid this is the FF, with the extra length, diff and drive shafts weighing the nose down - but if you had a nice FF you wouldn't want to cannibalise it with an engine swap!

[over_the_hill]

CampDavid said:

tombar said:

If you want a Jensen, then sell a kidney and buy this:



And then sell the other kidney to run it! On second thoughts.....

I hired one for the weekend (well, my GF hired it for me)

The fuel consumption was frankly ludicrus. I was glad of the economy from my V8 BMW on the route home

This.

I worked with a chap many moons ago and his brother had a repair garage. He also sold a few cars from the front of the garage. Occasionally he was overstocked so used to give his brother a car to drive around for a week or so until he had sold one and had a space.

He used to get all sorts but he told me about the time he got a Jensen for about ten days. Generally said it was a lovely car except for the fuel consumption at between 9-11 mpg which nearly killed him.

[Whiters]

Big Fat Fatty said:

I remember the SV8 from the day they were unveiled, at the time I thought they looked amazing, but the design hasn't aged well at all imo.

I bet it sounds nice though...

Agree. I thought it looked great. Time hasn't been too kind.

I don't think it's as bad as some make out but it's all subjective. I quite like it. Proportions are good, details not so good (although I do sort of like the rear light surrounds ) .

And what's going on with that terrible looking weld on the transmission tunnel?

[ravon]

Pretty certain the final chassis development was undertaken by former Tyrell Chief Designer Derek Gardener and historic racing meastro Martin Stretton.

[Galileo]

marsdalebear said:

Nice interior and nice engine. Who cares what it looks like!

I do. I want to walk towards a car and think, "Cor, what a beauty, can't wait to get behind the wheel", not "Jeez, that cars Fuggly. Hope none of my mates see me driving it". It should never have been allowed to happen.

[Luca Brasi]

What drugs were they on? Does look like a cracking car to drive.

[young_bairn]

I just threw up a little in my mouth there.

[FourWheelDrift]

To me it always looks as if the bonnet and boot haven't been shut properly.

[vit4]

Dr Interceptor said:

They are good steers - the Mustang V8 sounds lovely as you'd expect, they're pretty competent long range cruisers too. I've never owned one, but have driven a couple while the Jensen has been in for service work. They do vary in quality though, some I've seen have shocking panel gaps, others much better.

Funnily enough I was looking at the two SV8's up for sale on PH last night. There is a blue one that wasn't a factory car, and it doesn't even look like the hood is on properly

[Prawnboy]

MY EYES!

[KarlMac]

FourWheelDrift said:

To me it always looks as if the bonnet and boot haven't been shut properly.

What are the rear lights pinched off? I want to say aftermarket Impreza, but I don't think its right. V familiar looking though.

[Dr Interceptor]

vit4 said:

Dr Interceptor said:

They are good steers - the Mustang V8 sounds lovely as you'd expect, they're pretty competent long range cruisers too. I've never owned one, but have driven a couple while the Jensen has been in for service work. They do vary in quality though, some I've seen have shocking panel gaps, others much better.

Funnily enough I was looking at the two SV8's up for sale on PH last night. There is a blue one that wasn't a factory car, and it doesn't even look like the hood is on properly

Silverstone Auctions

The hood isn't latched properly in the photos - someone was obviously rushing taking roof off/on photos.

[Frimley111R]

What's with the 'angle iron' down the sides of the centre console?

[FourWheelDrift]

CampDavid said:

tombar said:

If you want a Jensen, then sell a kidney and buy this:



And then sell the other kidney to run it! On second thoughts.....

I hired one for the weekend (well, my GF hired it for me)

The fuel consumption was frankly ludicrus. I was glad of the economy from my V8 BMW on the route home

The photo though is not of an unreliable, poor economy, asthmatic V8 (it only had 272bhp when new) Interceptor. It's a conversion by Cropredy Bridge Jensen. A Jensen Inteceptor S, which has a 430bhp Chevrolet LS2 plus better brakes, suspension, gearbox and more - http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2176...

You would need to sell a kidney though as it's £75,000 but the running costs will be less than an original

[amstrange1]

Dr Interceptor said:

hairykrishna said:

For 35k I'd rather buy a half way decent interceptor then pay someone to drop in a more modern engine.

Great idea until you drive one that's had an engine swap

The front of the Jensen is light, even with the 7.2 V8 up front - when you drive one that has been swapped out for one of the modern LS engines, the lack of front end grip is frightening. The only car that would avoid this is the FF, with the extra length, diff and drive shafts weighing the nose down - but if you had a nice FF you wouldn't want to cannibalise it with an engine swap!

No need to swap the engine, the original Chrysler lumps have a myriad of tuning goodies available for them including fuel injection conversion kits. The old man's got an FF bored and stroked with an EFI conversion, performance is a lot closer to what you'd expect a 6.3l V8 to deliver and the economy's nowhere near as bad as it was from the factory thanks to the fuel injection.

[will261058]

Certainly looks better on the inside!

[mikEsprit]

if 'striking' means 'ugly', then this is very striking.

I do like the interior, though, as well