1972 Jensen Interceptor MKIII

Laid up since 2001 and recommissioned this year, this 1972 Jensen Interceptor MKIII is finished in Claret with the special-order black vinyl roof and tinted windows. Originally Tangerine Orange, its first role was as a company car for someone in the senior ranks of Arrow Chemicals.

And what a company car it must have been with the 7.2-litre V8 engine and Holley carburettor under the bonnet that give the driver access to no fewer than 300bhp.

A ‘matching numbers’ car with chassis number 128/4804 and showing just 55,000 miles on the odometer, ‘KSN 302L’ was restored in 1993 and recommissioned in the past twelve months.

A 200-mile shakedown period ironed out a few teething problems ahead of its MoT test, which it passed with flying colours and no advisories.

The inspection the Jensen received after coming out of its 23-year slumber revealed it was in a decent condition, albeit in need of a little work.

As far as the coachwork went, this primarily involved fitting a new front valence and a nearside sill. The rest of the panel alignment is exactly what you’d expect to see on a handbuilt car, which is to say it’s a bit variable in places.

The driver’s door, for example, fits very well with a nice and even shutline, as does the boot and bonnet. The passenger’s side, on the other hand, shows a bit more inconsistency with a wider gap on the lower trailing edge.

The paintwork was generally good and received nothing more than a polish: Preservation was the name of the game and, as you’d expect of a restoration that’s just celebrated its 21st birthday, there are a few marks here and there but nothing that spoils the car’s overall presentation.

Incidentally, the details are sketchy, but we believe the colour was changed from Tangerine Orange to Claret in the late eighties, before being restored again by Liberton of Edinburgh in 1993-94.

(Interestingly, the rear panel, rear quarter panels, doors, and front wings were resprayed by the factory in 1973 when the Interceptor was only a year old. This was because of microblistering to the finish, and it cost the factory 60 hours of labour and £176 for the warranty claim.)

The badges are lightly patinated, but we think this is a cause for celebration rather than concern.

The light lenses are good too, although the headlamp panel is held on with a mixture of crosshead and Posidrive screws. Fixing that would be straightforward and an easy way to allay our OCD.

The front wheels are fitted with matching Toyo Proxes tyres, while the rear axle sits on Pirelli Cinturatos. The five-spoke alloy wheels are in good shape. Nicely painted, they are free of major dinks and scrapes.

The chromework is pretty good too, and although there is some light pitting to the front bumper we think a session with some Autosol could improve it at little cost.

The interior didn’t need much cosmetic work other than a thorough clean. As a result, it is charmingly patinated and yet still very respectable. Just like we like ‘em then.

The black leather seats are still comfortable and well-shaped. Yes, there’s some creasing to the front seats and the base of the driver’s seat is a little rumpled, but restoring them to as-new condition would remove an important part of the car’s history – and aren’t we all romantics at heart who want to preserve this sort of thing?

The rear seats are in an even better condition. The three-spoke, leather-trimmed steering wheel wears its years equally lightly and its simple, open design allows the driver to assimilate the information the seven (very good) instruments provide at a glance. Which is important give the speed this thing is capable of.

The pleated headlining is clean and taut, the door cards are very good, the carpets have plenty of life left in them, and even the puddle lights work.

The headunit is a wonderfully period Audioline twin-spindle radio-cassette player that probably looks better than it sounds. Mind you, with a 440cu/in V8 engine under the bonnet, who needs music?

The huge boot is well-trimmed and gives oodles of space because the spare wheel is underneath the car.

A few bits and bobs were found to need attention during the recommissioning including a window winder mechanism and a wiper motor. As a result, we are told that “everything important is working” including the heating and ventilation system, the instruments, and the lights.

However, the air-conditioning system doesn’t work and will need to be recommissioned and updated.

The video shows the Interceptor idles and revs very well – and all to the accompaniment of one of the nicest engine notes we’ve heard in a long time.

The instruments show good oil pressure and a healthy charge to the battery too – and it does it all from a cold start as you can see from the coolant temperature gauge.

Speaking of coolant, apart from a full service during which all the fluids and filters were changed, the Interceptor received a reconditioned radiator, and a new thermostat and coolant hoses plus a new heater valve and hoses.

The steering needed work too, and the brakes were seized. The latter was remedied by stripping them down before rebuilding them with new caliper pistons and seals, master cylinder seals, and flexible brake hoses.

The ignition and charging systems saw plenty of action too, including a new battery, alternator and drive belt, voltage regulator, ignition control unit, reluctor sensor, ignition pickup, and ballast resistor.

The door and ignition keys were also replaced along with numerous carburettor parts, PCV valve, bonnet seal and release cable, throttle cable, flasher units, and numerous bulbs, fuses and relays.

The engine bay is neatly presented without being overly fussy, effortlessly walking the line between usability and aesthetics. We can’t see anyone needing to make it any better – and it won’t take much effort to keeping it looking this good, either.

The video also makes use of the seller’s very well-equipped garage to show us the underside. Strong and clean, it’s a credit to him and his meticulous attitude to the recommissioning.

The underside features a full-size spare wheel in the cradle – and one of the best-sounding exhaust systems of the year.

Despite not needing one the Interceptor’s MoT certificate is valid until August 2025. Even better, it was issued with no advisories.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the Jensen also comes with the Interceptor III handbook in addition to a wealth of historical paperwork dating back to when the car was new.

The paperwork details the restoration that was carried out in the early nineties, and this sits alongside all of the receipts for the recommissioning, many of which came from marque expert Martin Robey.

With a 'Buy It Now' price of £25,000 (including the buyers premium), we aren’t sure you can make a better noise so comfortably, even if you had twice the budget.

It is also proof that the West Midlands can rival Modena and Sant' Agata in terms of engineering excellence – and this Jensen Interceptor’s 7.2-litre V8 engine means it sits at the very top of what is already an exclusive pile.

Recently fettled, boasting an advisory-free MoT, and running well, they don’t come much better.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Biggar, South Lanarkshire. To arrange an appointment to inspect this vehicle, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.