Comedy legend’s motor up for sale

AN important part of British motoring and show business history, Eric Morecambe’s lovingly restored 1968 Jensen Interceptor, will be offered for auction by Silverstone Auctions at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show auction at the NEC, Birmingham, on 11th – 12th November.

This is the first time the famous Jensen has been offered for public sale since its restoration.

It was bought by Morecambe in 1968, just as he was starting on his meteoric path to superstardom as half of the Morecambe and Wise duo. Costing double that of a Jaguar E-Type and more than the equivalent Aston Martin, the Interceptor was one of the most expensive cars in the world at the time.

After Morecambe’s first heart attack just two months later, the Jensen became famous in its own right as the comedian recounted the story of how Yorkshireman Walter Butterworth jumped into the driving seat late one evening to drive him to Leeds Infirmary, saving his life.

It was during a TV interview with Michael Parkin- son in 1973 when Eric was telling the story of his rescue in the Jensen that the current owner, a then young Nick Whale, heard his father note: “That Jensen would be a great car to own one day.”

Nick’s father sadly passed away while he was still young, but his words prompted a decades-long search for the car that once belonged to his comedy hero.

Now managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick would often scour classified ads and make frequent enquiries until he finally tracked down the famous Jensen to a garage in Belgium in 2014.

“It was in a rather sad state when I found it, so we embarked on a two year restoration with one of the world’s leading Jensen restorers, Cro- predy Bridge Garage,” reports Nick. “I wanted it to be thorough yet totally original. I wanted it to be exactly the way it was when Eric Morecambe was driving it.”

When the six-figure res- toration was completed, Nick arranged for the Jensen to be re-united with Morecambe’s loyal chauffeur Mike Fountain, his son Gary, and livesaver Walter Butterworth as part of an ITV docu- mentary on Morecambe and Wise.

With the original number plate as owned by Eric Morecambe, and as one of less than 30 Mk1 Jensen Interceptors left in existence, the Crystal Blue car is rare and collectable in its own right. With such an incredible history and a fastidious restoration the Jensen is estimated to sell for £90,000 - £110,000.

To find out more about Eric Morecambe’s Jensen Interceptor please visit https ://www.silverston e a u c t i o n s. c o m / 1 9 6 8 - jensen-interceptor-mki--ex-eric-morecambe