Jonathon's 1972 MK3 Jensen Interceptor - A childhood dream.

There is something truly imposing about a Jensen Interceptor. It's very much a vehicle which once witnessed stays in ones mind. The exemplar of this phenomenon is Jonathon Pym.

Jonathon's love for-all-things-Interceptor started as a young lad, dashing around the ancient city streets of Exeter delivering papers, on his route he would spot a Jensen Interceptor up a private drive, creating a lifelong desire to own such a vehicle. For Jonathon, the Jensen Interceptor represented prosperity.

...and this was quite understandable. The Jensen Interceptor was a frightfully expensive car when it rolled out of the factory back in the 60's & 70's. This car was quite literally for the rich and famous (which is heavily backed up by it's list of well-known-owners). To own such a car could only mean one thing.

Fulfilling a childhood dream is easier said than done.

There are many aspects of classic vehicle ownership which appeal to me but the nostalgia of being excited by a car that has been etched in your memory since childhood is undoubtedly the most relevant - we all feel this way about a certain car. It's a feeling shared by every car/bike fan that's ever graced this complex little planet we call earth.

Drive on!

If you've got a cool car/bike/plane you'd like to have filmed then drop me a message via - https://www.yeahdawgie.com/contact - I'm always on the look out for more cool car projects!

Gear Used:
Panasonic S1
LUMIX S 24-105mm F4 MACRO O.I.S.
Panasonic GH5
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario Zoom 12-35mm F/2.8
Assets from Envato Elements
Edited on Adobe Premiere Pro & Adobe After Effects
Zhuyin Weebill-S
Deity V-Mic D3 Pro
Tascam DR-10L

The Jensen Interceptor is a grand touring car which was hand-built at the Kelvin Way Factory in West Bromwich in England, by Jensen Motors between 1966 and 1976. The Interceptor name had been used previously by Jensen for the Jensen Interceptor made between 1950 and 1957 at the Carters Green factory. Jensen had extensively used glass-reinforced plastic for the fabrication of body panels in the preceding two decades, but the new Interceptor saw a return to a steel body-shell. The body was designed by an outside firm, Carrozzeria Touring of Italy. The early bodies were built in Italy by Vignale, before Jensen took production in house, making some subtle body modifications.

Jensen Motors used Chrysler V8 engines for the Interceptor, starting with the 6276 cc (383 c.i.) with optional manual (Mark I, only 22 built) or TorqueFlite automatic transmissions driving the rear wheels through a limited slip differential in a conventional Salisbury rear axle. In 1970, the 383 c.i. produced 335 hp SAE gross, or 270 hp SAE net. Since this engine was detuned by Chrysler for use with regular gasoline and only produced 250 hp SAE net in 1971, Jensen chose to use the 440 in3 (7,200 cc) Chrysler engine for 1971.

For 1971, two 440 c.i. engines were offered. One had a 4-barrel carburettor and produced 305 hp SAE net. The other, which had three 2-barrel carburettors and produced 330 hp SAE net, was only available in 1971. Only 232 cars were built with the 440 "Six Pack", and it had the distinction of being the most powerful car ever to have been made by Jensen.

For 1972, the 440 c.i. engine with three 2-barrel carburettors was no longer produced by Chrysler. The 440 c.i. engine that remained was detuned to 280 hp SAE net. Chrysler continued to offer a high performance 440 c.i. engine through to 1976 when it only produced 255 hp SAE net.

The Interceptor may have taken some styling cues from the Brasinca Uirapuru, with a distinctive large, curving wrap-around rear window that doubled as a tailgate. The original specification included electric windows, reclining front seats, a wood rimmed steering wheel, radio with twin speakers, reversing lights and an electric clock. Power steering was included as standard from September 1968.

The Mark II was announced in October 1969, with slightly revised styling around the headlamps, front grille and bumper and revised rear lights. The interior was substantially revised in order to meet US regulations, and air conditioning was an option.

1967 Interceptor, 1973 Interceptor III & 1973 Jensen-Healey

1974 Interceptor III US Model

Interceptor III - rear view

Interior of an Interceptor III Convertible
The Mark III, introduced in 1971, revised the front grille, headlamp finishers and bumper treatment again. It had GKN alloy wheels and air conditioning as standard, and revised seats. It was divided into G-, H-, and J-series depending on the production year. The 6.3-litre 383ci engine was superseded by the 7.2-litre 440ci in 1971.

Jensen had fallen on hard times by 1975, owing to the then world-wide recession, and to problems with its Jensen-Healey sports car. The company was placed into receivership, and the receivers allowed production to continue until the available cache of parts was exhausted. Production of the Interceptor ended in 1976.