1975 Jensen Interceptor Convertible

This LHD auto Jensen Interceptor III Convertible was exported new to the US in 1975.

It has clearly been very well maintained and looked after throughout its life and, aside from one or two bodywork issues, it appears to be in very good overall condition.

The chassis number is 23111692.

The odometer, which is calibrated for MPH, reads 59,164.

The car comes with no history or service records beyond whatever documentation is shown in the gallery.

We do, however, have some information from the vendor, who bought the vehicle for his classic car collection from a British car specialist in London in 2013.

He has spent over €20,000 on improvement, refurbishments and maintenance in recent years, all of which expenditure is documented.

He tells us that the wood veneer dashboard is particularly unusual, that the engine and electrics are totally reliable, and that the leather upholstery and electric fabric hood were refurbished at considerable expense by the previous owner.

He also says, “There is hardly a car that makes a better sound.”

This very handsome car, with the distinctive ‘boat tail’ profile that’s once again gracing the posteriors of some of the world’s most prestigious luxury vehicles, presents very well indeed from every angle.

The bodywork is free of any dinks, dents or creases of any significance that we can see and the silver paintwork is every bit as vibrant and shiny as you’d want it to be.

The panel gaps and shut lines are consistent and even.

The hood (and the tonneau cover) is in excellent condition – both aesthetically and functionally.

The chrome work is good all round.

The wheels are in decent condition although there is some scuffing and kerbing in evidence here and there.

There are some paint chips in the usual places – front valance, sills, wheel-arches, the leading edges of the doors and bonnet, and around the front grille.

The lights, lenses and badging all seem to be fine, as does the majority of the exterior trim.

There is some bubbling on the rear wheel arch on the driver’s side below the fuel filler flap and at the base of the front passenger side wheel arch.

There are some scratches and scuffs on top of the front passenger side wing and some paint chips on the bodywork above the door on the driver’s side.

The interior of the car is every bit as impressive as the exterior and is a testament to the care with which the car has been maintained throughout its 47 years of life.

The refurbished black leather upholstery is in excellent condition and the seats are seemingly untroubled by any creases or other signs of wear.

The door cards are in good order, too, as are the carpets and mats.

The steering wheel, gear selector, dashboard and other interior fixtures and fittings all seem to be in impressive condition.

In general, the wood veneers on the dashboard have held up very well, although there are a couple of cracks visible on the glove compartment door.

The lining of the hood is a little discoloured and stained in places.

As far as we’re aware, all dials, switches, knobs, levers and instruments do what they’re supposed to do.

The boot is in good condition. There are a few spots of rust dust under the carpet in the boot and inside the fuel filler flap.

The car comes with a box containing various spare parts.

The engine and engine bay are clean, dry and very fresh-looking. Everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

he undersides look to have a decent amount of structural integrity as far as we can see.

Richard Calver, the world's foremost authority on all things Jensen, has written about this actual car.

"This car was originally Silver Grey with a Black roof, Black trim and Mushroom roof liner. It also had a Black coachline. It left the factory in July 1975. It was sold new to the USA but I have no record of the first owner. ‘PP’ in Connecticut owned it by the 1990s and, later, it was owned by ‘RC’ of New York. It looks good in the photos with some changes from the original spec in the road wheels, steering wheel, trim and gear knob but otherwise it looks very true to the factory look.”

With the exception of the black coachline, which is no longer present, the car’s external appearance today is pretty much as it would have been in 1975.

The car has recently been fitted with four tyres and has a new Hauptuntersuchung (HU) vehicle roadworthiness certificate.

The vendor tells us that for many years the car has been looked after and cared for exclusively by English and American car specialists in Munich.

The car has only been driven in good weather and has been kept garaged and dry.

In three years of production, only 263 Jensen Interceptor III Convertibles were built.

But, despite their scarcity, the supply of parts is not an issue with these cars.

Chrysler’s big V8 was built in very large numbers and body panels and parts can be sourced from Martin Robey (in England), who remanufactures parts for Jensens, E Types and other British classics using the original machine tools.

Fewer than 200 Interceptor III Convertibles are likely to remain in existence today and we’re confident that only a handful of those will be able to match this one either for its low miles/kilometres or overall condition.

We are happy to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of between €60,000 - €80,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located Munich, Germany. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.