JENSEN 541 DELUXE

Year of manufacture 1956 Recorded mileage 32,968 Asking price £56,950 Vendor Ernie Warrener, Bromyard, Herefordshire (private sale); 07887 641983 WHEN IT WAS NEW Price £2572 Max power 130bhp Max torque 212Ib ft 0-60mph 12.1 secs Top speed 112mph Mpg 22

One of 54 Deluxe models built, this 541 was bought as an unfinished project by current owner Ernie Warrener two years ago, after the inveterate Daimler collector became disheartened by the soaring prices of Aston DB4S. It has the triple-su Austin 4-litre engine, a four-speed ’box with overdrive and, being a Deluxe, was the first British model to have four-wheel Dunlop disc brakes.

Finished in its original Imperial Crimson, it was a Goodwood VIP exhibit in 2017 and Warrener is only parting with the car because he prefers the widebody ‘S.’ He is just the second owner since ’57, and the bulky file includes history back to the early ’60s. Much of the work on the thick, smoothly contoured body was done by ex-jensen craftsmen at Kestrel Restorations, backed up by plenty of photos and invoices. The panel gaps are good, the paint has a deep lustre and all the chrome (not that there is all that much) has been replated. The grey enamelled centre-lock wires might usefully be refinished if the car was going to be shown, but they look good overall and wear fresh (budget) Mohawk tyres.

The bonnet rises on struts to give good access to the engine, which has been rebuilt and set up on a rolling road. It runs a full stainless exhaust and is well presented, though slightly messy modern wiring (from a recent external control box for the dynamo) marrs the impression. All fluids are clean and to level.

The interior has been retrimmed in cream leather, with fresh headliner and new rubbers. The driver’s seat is starting to look mildly baggy and the grain on the leather has a slightly modern feel, plus there are screwholes under the glovebox to locate some long-forgotten accessory. The wood-rim wheel looks attractive but small compared to the huge, plastic-rimmed original.

Not that you need a big wheel in the 541, which steers easily and accurately and stops in a straight line. The gearchange is slow, but the car romps along in top so well you hardly need it. Overdrive kicks in smoothly and the lack of wind noise is impressive, while strong oil pressure and stable water temperature are indicators of the recent engine rebuild. A fresh MOT was issued 300 miles ago.

SUMMARY

EXTERIOR

Not a show car, but very smart

INTERIOR

All good; purists may question the wood-rimmed wheel

MECHANICALS

On the button; mostly rebuilt

VALUE ★★★★★★★✩✩✩

For Sorted and very practical period grand tourer with good history

Against Not the cheapest, but prices have been quietly going up

SHOULD I BUY IT?

If your tastes run to Astons but your pockets don’t, it’s hard to see a downside