Jensen Interceptor Restoration
Discussion
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.
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
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 
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
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
Thought it was about time I finally resurrected this thread and keep it going.
Long story so I'll keep it short, the car has been virtually untouched in the garage shortly after starting this topic. A few little jobs have been carried out since then, but nothing major.
I'm pleased to say that the car is FINALLY going for welding at the end of February to a lovely classic car restoration company not so far from me.
Over the past few weeks we've been accumulating all of the panels we need, front panel, lower front valance and a ns wing to name a few. One of the highlights was managing to locate a very good used half louvered bonnet which is now on the car.
Have begun stripping the boot, once complete the next job will be to strip the interior.
It's great seeing more tangerine paint as we slowly strip the car.
Long story so I'll keep it short, the car has been virtually untouched in the garage shortly after starting this topic. A few little jobs have been carried out since then, but nothing major.
I'm pleased to say that the car is FINALLY going for welding at the end of February to a lovely classic car restoration company not so far from me.
Over the past few weeks we've been accumulating all of the panels we need, front panel, lower front valance and a ns wing to name a few. One of the highlights was managing to locate a very good used half louvered bonnet which is now on the car.
Have begun stripping the boot, once complete the next job will be to strip the interior.
It's great seeing more tangerine paint as we slowly strip the car.
Edited by Arcnewal on Saturday 28th January 22:22
Over the last few weeks I have been talking to two of the cars previous owners via email and Whatsapp.
One of the owners sent me over some old invoices for work the car had done in the 80's. Lovely to read through them and it's interesting to see the engine had new pistons, rings etc at just over 44,000 miles.
As good as it was being sent over the bills the other owner struck gold when they messaged and told me they think they have the original handbook. A few days later and here it is.
One of the owners sent me over some old invoices for work the car had done in the 80's. Lovely to read through them and it's interesting to see the engine had new pistons, rings etc at just over 44,000 miles.
As good as it was being sent over the bills the other owner struck gold when they messaged and told me they think they have the original handbook. A few days later and here it is.
SS427 Camaro said:
Do you know if Yarwood special ordered it in Tangerine ?
The car had already been built 4 months prior to Yarwood purchasing it. It was built right at the end of August 74 and was stored at the factory for 3 months pending delivery. This wasn’t normal practice and we assume was a special arrangement made to suit the requirements of the selling dealer. Yarwood enjoyed owning the car (as we’ve been told by his daughter), his wife enjoyed it too apparently and loved the glitz and glamour that came when driving it.
alabbasi said:
Best of luck with it. 
Car looks very solid in the pictures, have you had to tackle any welding?
We've finally finished stripping out the interior and now it's really just a waiting game until the cars picked up on the 27th.
The 'FASTEN SEAT BELTS' sign was missing from the centre console and whilst stripping out the interior we managed to find it hidden amongst the wiring loom. Result!
Now the interior is stripped we've now been able to properly inspect the inner arches on both sides and it's good to know that it's all absolutely solid with no rot whatsoever. Even where the seat belts mount to is solid. Really, apart from the hideous paint job it had in the 80's it's a very original car that hasn't been messed about with.
A few updates.
Inner rear panel is coming along nicely, just the nearside is left to do and then once that's tied up work will begin on the outer valance.
Made some progress on the battery box and that's now painted ready to be fitted (long way off).
New foam gaskets fitted to the rear lights to pass some time yesterday.
On Friday I took a trip down to Riverbourne Classics to drop off the front seats to have new foams and seat webbings fitted. Also picked up the fuel bowl after having it repaired due to heavy corrosion.
Inner rear panel is coming along nicely, just the nearside is left to do and then once that's tied up work will begin on the outer valance.
Made some progress on the battery box and that's now painted ready to be fitted (long way off).
New foam gaskets fitted to the rear lights to pass some time yesterday.
On Friday I took a trip down to Riverbourne Classics to drop off the front seats to have new foams and seat webbings fitted. Also picked up the fuel bowl after having it repaired due to heavy corrosion.
Went to see the car on Friday and the outer rear panel is now finished. Very happy!
Work has now begun on the nearside inner sill. Repairs will also be needed at the bottom of the a-pillar due to some heavy rot, although
it seems worse than it actually is.
The remaining parts of the nearside wing will be removed in due course once work on the sill is completed.
Work has now begun on the nearside inner sill. Repairs will also be needed at the bottom of the a-pillar due to some heavy rot, although
it seems worse than it actually is.
The remaining parts of the nearside wing will be removed in due course once work on the sill is completed.
The nearside inner sill is now in place and the outer sill is being fitted next week.
Work on the bottom of the a-pillar and air collection box is also nearing completion.
New toe boxes on the nearside and offside will also be going on in due course.
Work on the bottom of the a-pillar and air collection box is also nearing completion.
New toe boxes on the nearside and offside will also be going on in due course.
Edited by Arcnewal on Sunday 16th April 08:47
The inner and outer sill are now both finished on the nearside. Work has started on the front end, repair wings, top panel etc.
The nearside toe box was down to be replaced but had more good metal on it than bad, so a piece was fabricated and welded in.
Both mudshield brackets on the offside and nearside are now on.
The nearside headlight panel and front valance are now on. Top panel and repair section to the top of the nearside wing will be finished next week.
The nearside toe box was down to be replaced but had more good metal on it than bad, so a piece was fabricated and welded in.
Both mudshield brackets on the offside and nearside are now on.
The nearside headlight panel and front valance are now on. Top panel and repair section to the top of the nearside wing will be finished next week.
Just a few other bits and pieces such as bumper bracket holes etc and sorting out the door bottoms and the welding and fabrication will be finished, then onto the next job . . .
The car was pushed out on Friday so we could get some decent photos. Quite unbelievable how much lead is on them.
The car was pushed out on Friday so we could get some decent photos. Quite unbelievable how much lead is on them.
Been a bit quiet on here of late due to summer holidays, days out etc.
The fuel tanks now removed and have begun cleaning / rubbing down the rear end underneath. It's virtually ready to be re-undersealed next week.
The front seats have now had new seat webs and foams fitted by the trimmers. Just waiting on the rear seat squabs now which are both having the same treatment.
The fuel tanks now removed and have begun cleaning / rubbing down the rear end underneath. It's virtually ready to be re-undersealed next week.
The front seats have now had new seat webs and foams fitted by the trimmers. Just waiting on the rear seat squabs now which are both having the same treatment.
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