Jensen Interceptor MK1 review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 มิ.ย. 2024
- If like me, you're horrendously deaf through driving old cars, listening to loud music or impaired by other means, here's the walk around segment:
MK1 Jensen Interceptor
The MK1 Interceptor is a car to turn heads and when it debuted to an excited audience at Earls Court in 1966, it wasn’t the cheapest of models on display. It was priced at £3,742 and a world away from the traditional models which had come before it.
The car was a bit hit: it was a two door fastback, designed to please and excite with simple definitive lines and best of all, could sit four in comfort; making it both stylish and usable. All in all, the new interceptor, because the name had been used before, was a very different car to the one which had carried the name before.
Hardly surprising, but there’s a lot of Italian styling in this incredible beast. The body wasn’t designed in-house, but rather instead, by Carrozzeria Touring of Italy, who had worked for brands like Maserati, Aston Martin and Lamborghini. This was a brilliant name to be associated with Jensen Motors.
The first of the MK1s were built by Vignale in Italy and a big issue for Jensen was maintaining the quality the brand was known for; coupled by the distance between the UK factory and the Italian arm.
You’ll hear of many manufacturers when I do these videos who seem to frustratingly sit with problems for many months and even years before they make a half cooked decision to improve; this was not so with Jensen.
Production had kicked off in 66 and within no time at all they’d identified that Vignale weren’t hitting their benchmarks of quality and problems from panel gaps to cracks in paintwork had Jensen straight on the case, pulling production back to the UK.
By 1967 when everything landed in the Midlands, the production line had a bit of a job on their hands. The way Vignale had set everything up was very different to how the factory in West Bromwich ran everything and it took a skilled sheet-metal worker several months to work out the complex job of building the body shell to meet the standards Jensen expected.
It’s worth noting at this point that this was a brave move, because Jensen at the time weren’t in a brilliant position. In 1966 the company had made a profit of just over £180k but by 1967, the winds had changed and the company had made a deficit of 52k.
But going back to the build process, it’s worth discussing just how involved it all was. The chassis alone took 44 hours to complete and there was plenty of work from the pillars to the panels to get that shell welded to the chassis to achieve the highly regarded seamless finish.
And as for the paint, there were six undercoats applied and as many layers of top coat. The whole paint process took a WEEK for each car, which probably explains those low volumes for the car! The interior trim took 12 days to complete and that’s before we get onto the engine, gearbox and transmission!
By 1969, all the earlier problems were long behind them and the car was now far more polished; the 69 spec changes included Chryslers E series engine coupled with the torqueflite transmission unit which now had a cushion clutch to reduce snatching giving the driver the ultimate in changing gear: a brilliant smoothness when changing up and down. Tyres were now Dunlop sport as standard and higher output alternators were fitted alongside heated screens replacing the old rear twin-fan demisters.
Production came to an end in 1969 and Autocar came back to re-test the car after initial tests in 66 at launch. The reported top speeds were 0 to 60 in 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 137mph.
The car was replaced with the MK2 in autumn of 1969 and you’ll know it from this MK1 due to the revised styling to front and rear which included tweaks to the area around the head lights, grille and bumper and rear lights.
A little like the MGB and the US essential rubber bumper upgrade, some of the styling internally was also revised to meet American safety requirements.
Now that’s a brief history and a little tech spec, but let’s meet the owner Van and ask why he’s picked a Jensen Interceptor in 2022! - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
![[MIRRORED] LISA - ROCKSTAR 🎸 MV version #LISA #BLACKPINK #ROCKSTAR](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-U58DuCCtZk/mqdefault.jpg)
A true Grand Touring car. Still looks good now, must've looked incredible in '66!
I knew Alan Jensen, my Mum was his cook, took me for a blast in his 541 Series R, quite an experience for a 12 year old...
When I was a small child in the 1970's I always dreamed of driving one of these (bucket list at 7!! 😂). When I was 19 in 1989 I worked for a classic car garage and got my dream, I drove one from North London to Darlington and yes, you can watch the fuel gauge move, we worked it out to be 7.6 mpg 😰, still though a stupendous vehicle to drive.
I love that you had a dream ride list as a child x
@@idriveaclassic I did lol, I've never driven a 911 or a Dodge Challenger or a Mk 1 Cooper "S" though but I did manage to get the E Type and Interceptor marked off. I have to say the E Type was a let down, I really didn't like driving that, just overall a disappointing driving experience but the design and engineering was brilliant.
That car is made for you Steph.
A Chrysler 383 or even later 440 should have done better than that. Not great, but into the mid teens.
@emjayay - probably not hanging about !
I’ve owned 5 Jensen’s and still own an SP (which you are welcome to drive when it’s back on the road) and this is one of the best reviews I’ve ever seen and you obviously get the experience which these cars deliver. As for fuel consumption just think of it as “smiles per gallon”.
Fuel economy not a consideration for a Six Pack!
Nice one dude, hope you get taken up on your offer...
Please do drop me an email! I cannot reply on here privately to arrange 😊
@@idriveaclassic your "about" on youtube has no email. If you look on the "about" for this channel you can email them direct..
@@ickleshouse how strange it used to! It’s idriveaclassicatgmaildotcom x
What a great looking car, they were certainly one of the cars to have in the 1970s when I was growing up.
I wouldn't have one now if it was free !
@@vincentl.9469 If you are offered one for free, please take it and pass it on to me.
@@rileybenstead3574 Will do ...
@@vincentl.9469 Thank you. I will get my garage cleared out ready for it, lol.
You do a great job matching your outfits with the cars you review Steph. Enjoyable as always 😊👍
Thanks Allan you lovely human 💕💕💕
@@idriveaclassic thank you for the lovely comments
@@idriveaclassic Carrozzeria..(Coachwork) watch a few Italians pronounce that word and you'll get it!!
Had a mk2 interceptor in 1983 when I was 23. Insurance cost me over £900 at the time and it averaged around 10 miles to the gallon but I loved it. Mine was maroon with a black vinyl roof and doeskin leather. Wish I still had it ❤
No way that cost 900 quid insurance back in 1983. you could by a house back then for that
@@malcolmcowan9554 well yes it did. I was paying over £400 on a 2 year old 2.0 litre cortina I had before that. Had real problems finding a company that would insure me for the Jensen. Maybe I was a bad risk, I had 2 endorsements and passed my test the year before.
@@malcolmcowan9554 This was in the days before the internet and go compare. We had two insurance brokers in our town and you went with them. Buy hey, you know best.
@@malcolmcowan9554 I had a TVR 3000m when i was 21 and TPFT was 400 thru my dads broker bc it was group 9
In 85 I was 19 and it was £700 TPFT for a T140v.
As a child of the sixties, I remember seeing these car and they were definitely head turners, it’s still a beautiful car in the 21st century, so can you imagine how it looked back in the day, it was truly futuristic, the rear screen was just amazing.
Cars of that era were, in my opinion, the most beautiful of all time. Today's cars are c....p, in terms of looks.
It's the fun per gallon when you drive a Chrysler V8. That's why I have one, Hemi on. Thanks Steph for another great review.
Ok I am probably bias as they were made in my home town. Secondly My late Nan built the dashboards for Jensen though I didn't find that out until after she passed away, would have loved to have talked to her about the work. This is a great example of a Jensen. I so love the V8 burble, sadly I have never been in one but have seen them at shows. People go on about the British car industry but Jensen were a fine example of what we could produce.Thanks Steph for another great review.👍👍
Big money back in the early 1970’s , I remember it costing 7k for the FF . There was also the SP version . Beautiful car . Similar to the Monteverdi.
When I was a kid I loved the styling of the Jensen Interceptor! That rear window hatch is simply amazing! Combine that with the V8 and it's absolutely wonderful!
I restored one of the nicest SP’s in the country! There not for everyone, but smiles per miles, for a real car enthusiast it’s diff to beat. When you rebuild one of these, your see the highest quality workmanship and design. Not the most ecologically car, but definitely one of The greatest. Italian styling, British engineering and the Chrysler engine, if looked after are incredible high quality. There a bit of a bird pulley, when there in the cockpit, Many great memories! Great video
My god,. An interceptor!! Well done Steff.
Thank you!!!
My 40th present was an interceptor for a weekend. Fabulous- turned heads everywhere. Even motorcyclists nodded in acknowledgement.
Beautiful! I'm old enough to remember they were legends in their own lifetime ! Thanks for the ride 👍
The more switches the better! Speaks to my inner 70's child. What a gorgeous car!!!
Those warning lights look like the ones in the Maxi if my memory serves me well (which it probably doesn't). Love how it wobbles when you rev it! Another great video Steph, thanks!
U.S. viewer here. Always loved the Interceptor and Land Rover Series I/II. Will probably never see either in real life, so thanks. Two of my faves back to back.
Are landies not a thing over there?!
@@idriveaclassic Newer ones, yes. Range Rovers and Discoverys (Discoveries?) But the Defenders did not met U.S. specs. Some were imported once they passed a certain age under our weird regulations, but in one famous incident, the government seized and crushed a bunch that were brought in illegally.
@@jamesrichardson1901 Defenders were sold in the US in the 60s and before. In fact, one of the paramedics had one on the TV show EMERGENCY!
Hi coming from Nottinghamshire you cannot beat the sound of a v8 cruising along and they Sound AWESOME I have always loved v8 engines
Jensen was the first car to be Fitted with Four wheel drive which came from Massey Ferguson Tractors
All the best👍👍👍
Certainly dressed for the car, Steph ! A good match , may I say. Wonderful car these Jensens. Takes me back when my father first started driving in his Morris Traveller, we pulled up in the garden centre , Roseacres near Hagley, Kidderminster. This Breinze Blue Interceptor pulled next to us . The gent got out to the shop leaving this absolutely gorgeous bottle blonde girlfriend/ wife in the car, I was drooling over her at 9-10 years old thinking they just walked off a ITN Lew Grade detective series from the 1960s ! Always loved the Jensen , always will . Great stuff again , keep them coming
You were drooling over his wife, not the car
@@TheClockwise770 both actually !
I think the centre console having all the switches is meant to resemble a fighter cockpit, especially with the car being called an Interceptor
As usual your reviews beat anything the mainstream broadcasters can offer ..brilliant …
I remember seeing these on the road as a young lad - they had such a presence on the road. The four wheel drive version would be the one for a wet day, but was an even thirstier car - great film again - thanks Steph!
I've a feeling that Cliff Richard had a pink one?....
There was a higher tuned version of the standard car too, the Interceptor SP. It stood for Six Pack /Power and had triple twin choke carbs, Webber's if memory is correct. Pretty sure they were very thirsty cars, with fuel consumption in the low teens per gallon at best. I read Sir Cliff owned an Interceptor, and may still have it. Not so sure about it being pink, I think the article I read said it was a Rosé wine colour with cream interior ?
You're right Brian - I just looked online and found it was Dusty Springfield who had a pink one (very showbiz) - the old memory let me down again!
@@neilbedford5082 Ha ha, yes I'd forgotten Dusty had one but wasn't sure of a colour. They were a bit more exclusive than a Rolls and a lot of celebrities chose them. I think you could order it in whatever colour and trim of choice you wanted, and collect it from the factory too if memory serves. It's not so long ago I watched a video about one restored in Tangerine Orange, popular colour by all accounts. I've seen one up close in that colour, with black interior. I've done some minor repairs on one years ago, but only got to have a short drive around the shop/ compound. The one I remember the most used to park near my parents house in the mid 70's, it was a MK1, probably 6 year old with a non age suffix plate. Looking back now, I'm pretty sure the owner was secretly sneaking off to meet someone a few streets away. He always upset local kids and they got him back. Crammed both tailpipes full with windfall apples and it blew the rear exhausts to pieces on start up. To this day I can still picture it driving away and sounding like a WW2 tank 😆
Haha - apples up the exhaust pipe - we did that to neighbours we had it in for too - Ah, the good old days.
Unbelievably ahead of its time upon it's unveiling in 1966...
The back of that car is absolutely stunning. The glass is a beautiful bit of art. Class.
I've always loved these. It looks like the performance is effortless, the styling is beautiful and it's called an Interceptor! Love the colour of this one too and another quality fashion match Steph
Nice video. Beautiful car with a great soundtrack. Always loved these!
Carrozzeria is Italian for coachwork btw, pronounced kar-rot-tsa-ria ;-)
Hahah thanks Brian! Italian isn’t my strong point x
My late uncle in NZ imported one of these 383 Interceptors (in dark green/black interior) brand new in the day as the replacement for a Studebaker Hawk 289 (white/red interior) however it's life was short-lived when it was quite literally 'cut-in-half' from the rear by his 16ft 327 Hamilton jet boat which detached from it's trailer, ploughed down the front tee-bar support and rode right up onto the rear half of the car, under sudden emergency braking to avoid a milk tanker at a crossroads at 70 mph..! The boat still sort-of lived after a heavily scarred-up fashion, but the Jensen died that day. Repairing the hugely extensive damage to it just wasn't feasible. He didn't believe in insurance, so that aborted journey to the lakeside was a record expense for him..!
Am old enough to remember these when they were new. There were two local to where I lived and I always thought they were great looking cars with real presence on the road. Sound they made was incredible too as not many V8’s on British roads. Great that the owner has kept the 8 track in place. Great review, really enjoyable.
Steph's reviews easily equal or surpass every automotive TV show, and/or video presentation out there, a task not easily done, even with the largest of budgets. I've viewed her work for more than a few years now, and hope that she "keeps 'em coming!"
Wonderful to see a review of any Jensen Intercepter, let alone an early model like this. I really appreciate the fact that you try to find some of the more overlooked cars to review rather than those certain models that seemingly everyone has reviewed.
Can I suggest you consider some of the earlier Jensen models, Bristol cars or perhaps Jowett.
Excellent suggestion. My maternal grandfather had a Jowett at one time.
Thanks for taking us along, Steph! I’ve always thought the Interceptor to be a very handsome car, and this is a lovely example.
The Jensen Interceptor still looks fantastic even now. An acquaintance of mine has one tucked away in his garage as his latest restoration project. Stunning looking British super-car. The one in this video is a lovely shade of red. I see that Van the owner is a fan of ALIEN as well! Plus it is always a pleasure to hear your voice Steph!
First time i saw one of these was in about 1969 I was about 10 years old i was just coming out of school and it was coming up Bolton Rd in Bradford i can remember it like yesterday the jensen was silver and it was being tailed by a metallic grey DBS can you imagine what a sight that was in Bradford in 1969,its still a sight now!!
A series one Interceptor used to park for hours on our road, a couple of times a week in the mid 70s. The middle aged guy used to shout at the younger kids to clear off and not play football near it, then he'd disappear on foot somewhere. One evening there was an almighty bang, people came rushing out as it sounded like a bomb had exploded. The kids had crammed windfall crab apples into both exhaust silencer tailpipes. When he started and tried to rev up, it blew the rusty silencers apart at the seams, spraying apples, rust and sooty sound insulation everywhere. We never saw it parked on our road again !
That B/C pillar window is beautiful. Man, oh, man I'm into that window!
Beautiful car, love the colour and the engine noise is perfect
I always remember in 1969 Cliff Richard came to our school in Ware to give a religious talk to the 6th form driving an orange Jensen
Another great video 👍
I love your videos and certainly envious of the cars you get to drive
Great job Steph! This car is on my want list,was great to see it.
Thanks for the ride Steph!
Wow, what an amazing car and beautiful video Steph!!! Love a Jensen!!!!
Whoa!! Quite the car!!! Always loved these!
Absolute beautiful. Love the start up sequence. The car quivers when Steph revs it. Wonderful 😃
Love the interceptor! Always had a soft spot for them. Thanks
The best name ever for a car.
Beautiful looking car Steph,, excellent Review as always Steph.
Great looking car, Would love to drive one. Another very informative review. Great video. Thanks!
Great video. Met an enthusiastic bloke with a blue one of these a few weeks ago. It had an 8-track in it as well. He was sooo enthusiastic and willing to chat for ages. I recall my father having some of these in his garage in the 1970's for servicing/ carb balancing. For a youngster back then that was awesome..Happy Days.
Hey Steph! Great review and I would also like to say you are looking healthier than ever before ! Looking forward for more of your reviews !
Love your channel and your style! Keep it going. Greg
Lovely video as always Steph. So nice to see a classic from my local area. Currently living around 10 mins from the old Jensen Factory in West Bromwich.
Lovely to see a review of the Jensen, beautiful car.
Your looking well to Steph 👍🏻😀
Thanks Darren xx
Loved them as a kid in the sixties and still really want one. A true great. Lucky you Steph, you got to drive this fabulous car.
I didn't know much about them until I saw this and a few other videos, they are amazing cars!!
I lived in Manchester, years ago, not far from Manchester United Manager, Matt Busby, I recall seeing Matt Busby, driving his Jensen Interceptor, around Fallowfield/ Chorlton, area of Manchester, in those days. Sorry for being boringly nostalgic.
Anyway, Peace to all.
Interceptor
West Bromwich's finest
Yes, could do with some quality interceptions from the West Bromwich Albion football team!
Nice one Steph! One of my favourite cars of all time, along with the FF! Love and peace.
Steph looking fab beside the fab looking Jensen!
Seen a 74 conv Interceptor not long ago at a car show here in Sedalia Mo. Us. so very cool talked for a good hour about it. Thanks for the great video
Looking good Steph!!
Lovely review! The original door seals on these were 3 bladed to cut out wind noise. They have been out of production for a good 35 years! Also the power steering is speed sensitive, there shouldn't be that much assistance. Later US cars had extra assistance. The 4WD Jensen FF is the one to take on roundabouts!
I don't want to drive one, I want to have one. This car is insane. It's like the British Citroën SM.
Beautiful car with one of Chryslers best engines. Enjoyed the review and test drive. Any hope of seeing a Bristol review and test drive in the future?
Hi Steph - you’re looking well! That was a stunner of a car! Made in West Brom - and still utterly beautiful today!
Laity ? That a word I haven’t heard used in a long time. Great car and a good video, thanks Steph. Australia
An iconic car, I've never been in one so it's been great to watch this video. Though I think a certain Mr HubNut would cringe about the LHD wiper pattern 😂
Oh 100% 😂😂😂
Great video and review of a classic British muscle car! Only an Aston Martin V8 Vantage could surpass that! Watching the test drive I soon recognised the route, A614 to Doncaster, I regularly drive from Lowdham to Mansfield that way!
Love your videos! Hello from the USA
Hi Steph great review, remember them for 2 reasons..the rich next door neighbour had one and my mom was an actual sewing machinist making the seats for this car in West Brom !! She was desperate for work, never used an industrial sewing machine in her life, blagged her way through an interview and a very kind co worker basically trained her on the job on the quiet - so apologies to anyone with dodgy stitching :-)
The best video about the Jensen since James Steed, Roger St.Hammond and Jason Clarkson made theirs.
My Dad had one of the first Italian made Interceptors and it was awful, it leaked and had all sorts of problems such that Jensen eventually replaced it with a UK made one. Another problem with the early ones if I remember correctly, is that they didn't have a limited slip diff, and Dad ended up scrubbing tyres terribly on the winding mountain roads in Italy when we went back to visit relatives. In fact I think he needed to change a set there and it took ages for the right tyres to be sourced. As a young kid I of course remember the lovely growl of the engine, but as to the cabin noise, I rather suspect it is in part due to the age of the car you drove because I don't recall it being bad back in the day. Dad had some great cars but that was the best.
What a beautiful car, well done Steph
Thank you!
13:08 - 13:20 what a glorious sound! Nice work Steph.
Great review.
Fabulous car,fabulous review & fabulous video from a fabulous lady
Has a car ever had a better name ? ... great vid as usual i also noticed you match your look to the car reviewed 😁
Thanks Stef….nice review 😃
Thanks lovely xx
My old boss worked at Jensen in the 70's , he told a tale of executive wet lunches and Golf course business deals , but little communication with those on the shop floor .
Absolutely love these
Great video 👍
stef, I haven't been to your channel in months and you look great, better then any car for sure. Be safe! LG USA
one of the most beautiful cars ever produced...and by far the best name....jensen interceptor!
The sound is fabulous
It seems very strange that such a sophisticated car doesn't have safety belts but of course the legal adoption of such measures took many years. Great review and tenakoe!
My dear old mum's dream car
I love these beasties. One of these or an Aston DBS (the 60s/70s model, not the more recent version) would be on the shopping list if I won the lottery.
Me too .
The DBS is I agree , a beautiful car .
Such presence about it .
Even parked it reminds me of a thoroughbred racehorse, just before the gates open and it's gone in a cloud of dust .
Gorgeous car .
I love this car. Such style.
Beautiful car.I think I would have to buy a cravat and Italian loafers before it would think of starting for me.
Very cool! 😍 Nice one.
This was interesting and had good depth. I was waiting for you to run through what all the switches do in the centre consul, a great shame you did not do this. It is no good giving detail and being informative on one hand, and then taking it away with the other. However, better than most reviews on the Interceptor, especially as very few people review the Mk 1.
I had a '69 back in the mid 1980 's , foolishly l only kept it for 6 months but did make a tidy profit . Lovely cars and well described .
A superb car with one of the best names ever for a car-"Interceptor!"
The series one has the nicest interior styling IMO! Love those Muira style binnacles👍
awesome review also love the jensen its pretty unique car
Great vid
Still a gorgeous looking car - now very collectable!
I don’t think I will get the opportunity to drive a Jensen Interceptor any time soon Steph. 😆 Watching this video is about as close as I am likely to get to it. I remember reading that there was no colour chart list for these cars as you simply ordered any colour you liked. Ripper video and car.