1965 Jensen C-V8 Convertible

£225,000. Classic Automobiles Worldwide Ltd, London, UK

RARITY CAN OFTEN be over-played in the classic car world, but every now and then something genuinely unique with the capacity to surprise can crop up. The one and only Jensen C-V8 Convertible – known by its factory designation of JM-EXP-108 – has come onto the market for the very first time.

Dealers were crying out for a convertible C-V8, so Jensen began working on the model in summer of 1964. Based on an extended C-V8 Mk2 chassis, this prototype was completed a year later.

It ended up for sale at the London-based Jensen distributor, Charles Follett. Government Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington took a liking to the Jensen, and purchased the one-off Convertible immediately. Teething issues surfaced, though, including a leaky hood, meaning it returned to the factory for some fine-tuning.

After further evaluation, it was decided that too much development was necessary to improve the convertible’s lack of torsional stiffness, refinement and handling to make it viable for production. It was promptly returned to Lord Carrington, who continued to use it.

The issues didn’t stop there, however, and it returned once again to the factory for an upgraded (Mk3) braking system, repaint and yet more hood adjustments. Letters in the history file show that Carrington expected these to be completed free of charge… Jensen did not.

Carrington traded up to an Interceptor in 1967, clearly not too jaded by the experience, and the C-V8 was quickly sold to an enthusiast who had expressed an interest in the car when it was originally offered for sale. It performed much more reliably for its second owner, and has remained in that family ever since. With the original Smoke Green paint and grey leather interior, it retains a character that simply cannot be reproduced. We hope it stays that way.