UNIQUE TEST JENSEN GOES TO AUCTION
Was Interceptor one of the Jensen brothers’ personal cars?
AJensen Interceptor believed to be the last of the 88 first-generation cars will be put up for sale at Morris Leslie Vehicle Auctions in Perth on 25 November.
The 1957 Jensen is believed to have been used as a development test bed for future models, being the only car of the run fitted with disc brakes, an automatic gearbox and a twin-carburettor version of Austin’s 4.0-litre straight six.
According to the Jensen archives, one of the Jensen brothers may have also used it as a personal vehicle; it was registered as a ‘demonstration vehicle/director’s car’.
The Interceptor, which left the factory in deluxe specification, still sports its original green leather interior.
Jensen sold the car privately in 1958, after which it changed hands several times before settling down with the vendor’s family in 1962.
Having spent over 50 years in storage, the Jensen is now in need of full restoration and though seemingly complete, is not a runner. The car is expected to make £25,000-30,000.
Morris Leslie auction manager, Keith Murray, says: ‘ We are absolutely delighted to have been given the opportunity to auction this rare and historically important example, which had become a lost car until this week.’