Jensen Interceptor Restoration

Jensen Interceptor Restoration

Author
Discussion

Arcnewal

Original Poster:

110 posts

147 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
quotequote all
This is intended to be the story of my Jensen Interceptor III restoration. Currently showing 49,900 miles, and although in the photos it does appear to be rotten it's actually surprisingly very solid. There is rot in all of the usual places, the sills and valances mainly, however, all of the inner arches, rear quarters, floor pans etc are completely solid. Unfortunately, the previous owner had a garage fire and the front end (as per the pics), was near it which has led to the near side front wing, lower valance and front end panel needing replacement.

The plan is to restore it to original factory specification. Original colour all the way down to the Dunlop SP Sport tyres. The engine was rebuilt back in the late 80s early 90s apparently and has only done 3,000 miles since the rebuild however, the engine along with gearbox and all the ancillaries will be coming out at some point for closer inspection and any remedial work required will be done.



Even though its been of the road since 1989 it still sits perfectly and the panel gaps are spot on.



Both the inner and outer valences will need replacing, as well as a little bit of work is required to the tailgate.





The interior is in very good original condition with a lovely, lovely smell. There's a few cigarette burns in the centre console panel but that can easily be replaced.




The original steering wheel will be staying.



Edited by Arcnewal on Saturday 28th January 22:13

gf15

980 posts

265 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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looking forward to this!

tintopracer

139 posts

166 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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Looks like a great project. Can't wait to see it progressing.

Funkycoldribena

7,379 posts

153 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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I'd quite happily live out my days in those seats.

SimesJH

768 posts

150 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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Bookmarked.

I know from personal experience that the seats in an Interceptor are exceptionally comfortable.

Looking forward to the updates.

dbdb

4,311 posts

172 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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The Interceptor is one of my favourite cars.

Fat Albert

1,392 posts

180 months

Sunday 19th October 2014
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One of my Flying Instructors in the RAF was restoring an SP, I went with him down to the factory in '88 to collect it after an engine-bay re-wire and it was like stepping back in time to a white-overalled period of the '50s, great experience

Always loved these, shame I never got a go in Breadvan's Mk II before he sold it

Coker

4,432 posts

174 months

Sunday 19th October 2014
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Very cool. Looking forward to watching this.

johnxjsc1985

15,948 posts

163 months

Sunday 19th October 2014
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just a heads up there are a few panels for sale on Ebay at present,Wings,wheelarch panels etc.Seem quite reasonable too

LewG

1,357 posts

145 months

Sunday 19th October 2014
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Absolutely fantastic, best of luck with it. The cigarette burns almost add provenance, you can just imagine a 70s playboy with some big flares floating along in it with a cigar on the go biggrin

soad

32,825 posts

175 months

Sunday 19th October 2014
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Ultra-cool.

Posted, so I'll be able to follow the developments. smile

northandy

3,495 posts

220 months

Sunday 19th October 2014
quotequote all
Good luck, looking forward to seeing your progress

Arcnewal

Original Poster:

110 posts

147 months

Sunday 19th October 2014
quotequote all
LewG said:
The cigarette burns almost add provenance, you can just imagine a 70s playboy with some big flares floating along in it with a cigar on the go biggrin
Impressionist Mike Yarwood purchased it new in January, 1975. He was a heavy cigarette smoke so the burns could well be from him, who knows...



Edited by Arcnewal on Saturday 28th January 21:15

MarkwG

4,809 posts

188 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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Arcnewal said:
I was thinking that, I am debating to keep the console insert as the burns are obviously there for a reason - what that reason is I don't know but it came with the car and it would be a shame not to use it. The first owner was a famous impressionist from the 70s, Mike Yarwood and I have read in a book that he was a heavy cigar smoker so maybe they could be from him, who knows...
Mike Yarwood was compulsory viewing at my Grans house, back in the '70s - in fame terms, he would be the equivalent of "Ant & Dec" (whoever they are.. wink ) these days. If he just had the one, there's a mention here, from a previous owner? In case you've not seen it - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=2&a...

Arcnewal

Original Poster:

110 posts

147 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for bringing that to my attention Mark. Yarwood had two Interceptors. He purchased his first one in early 1971 and sold it shortly afterwards due to purchasing a new Silver Shadow. Sadly his first one was scrapped a number of years ago, only the chassis ID plate exists now.

Edited by Arcnewal on Saturday 28th January 21:22

MarkwG

4,809 posts

188 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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Pleasure, love to see Jensens being restored,wish I had the time & knowledge to save one. I think its quite common for celeb owners to have owned more than one, Jensen were quite savvy at the whole product placement thing. I guess that may go back to the Saint Volvo & seeing how the James Bond link worked for Aston. It may be the celebs benefited in other ways, too wink . Best of luck with it, looking forward to the finished article!

Fastra

4,277 posts

208 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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I saw one of these very cars (a white K reg) in Duffy Motors in the centre of Manchester 2 weeks ago, would have stopped to haev a nosey and talk but needed to get to work.

Arcnewal

Original Poster:

110 posts

147 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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Every little job helps, I suppose. Fans didn't come out too bad.











Edited by Arcnewal on Saturday 28th January 21:24

StuntmanMike

11,671 posts

150 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
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Great stuff, the interior did look in very good condition, I'd be cleaning it up before chucking money at it, oh and I am not a fan of the fag burns, ruins a nice place to be for me.
Cracking thread, look forward to the next installment.

C7 JFW

1,205 posts

218 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
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Great platform. A combination of the fast and the furious & the Jensen ViperCeptor make me like these cars.

Quite excited to see where this goes - especially as its not a mess!