1973 Jensen Interceptor III Restomod

Purchased as a project from Guernsey after lying abandoned for 15 years, ‘Jennifer’ was then subject to a complete, bare-metal restoration that took five years to complete.

Mind you, this was a Proper Job.

The 7.2-litre V8 engine was disassembled and found to be in good order, and the air-conditioning even still had pressure; taken together, it was believed that the recorded mileage was correct.

Time had taken its toll though, and after being stripped down and assessed, the process of letting new metal let in commenced. Mike Wood of Bones Garage fitted a few new panels too, including the inner and outer sills and the floorpan.

Changes were also made to the Interceptor’s standard panels including subtly widening the front and rear wings, fabricating a more aggressive cowl for the bonnet, modifying the front and rear valances to give a cleaner look, fitting modern door mirrors, and removing the door handles completely.

Because this was no ordinary restoration, it was then painted in Aston Martin Mercury Silver.

The suspension is now via modern coil overs, with a sophisticated four-point linkage at the rear courtesy of the experts at Wisbech Engineering, and Rocket Racing supplied the 17-inch alloy wheels that were needed to accommodate the uprated Fosseway four-pot brake calipers and ventilated discs.

A new three-speed automatic transmission and torque convertor connect the rebuilt engine with the rear axle – and despite its good condition, the opportunity was taken to beef up the engine with uprated timing gear and an electronic ignition system plus an Edelbrock ‘Performer’ package that comprises a replacement camshaft and lifters, roller rockers, a performance inlet manifold and carburettor, aluminium ‘Big Valve’ cylinder heads, and a custom-fabricated stainless-steel exhaust system.

The result is around 315bhp, and an exhaust note that is operatic in its range and intensity.

Of course, the interior received the same tender ministrations and now includes a retro-looking DAB headunit, a Moto-Lita steering wheel, and a lightweight air-conditioning system that runs modern R134a gas.

Sergents Auto Trim Ltd put its skills to good use by fitting modified Jaguar front seats, and its work included black diamond stitching and embossing the Jensen logo on their headrests. The same firm also fitted matching leather door cards along with a black Alcantara headlining with diamond stitching and custom-made carpets.

Nicknamed ‘Jennifer’, it formed part of a private collection for five years before moving in to the seller’s hands a couple of years ago – and even though it was completed about seven years ago, it’s only covered a thousand miles or so since.

What can we say about the coachwork? Our photographer is a clever chap but even he’d have to admit that this is a car that practically shoots itself; familiar yet fresh, iconic yet contemporary, we think the balance between old and new has been perfectly struck.

Because it’s hard to know where to look first: The panels, which are straight and accurately aligned, and free of dents, dinks, and ripples, are probably the first thing.

Get close and use a fingertip to trace a shutline and you’ll appreciate just how tight and consistent they are. Workmanship like this isn’t cheap, but whatever it cost to massage them into an alignment this precise was worth every penny.

Then you pick up on details like the absence of door handles and the loss of the front and rear bumpers. The cleaner front and rear valances, the body-coloured door mirrors, and the blacked-out badges and window trim.

Less really can be more.

The masterstroke was sprinkling it with a few judiciously chosen extras: Admire the stacked twin exhaust tailpipes, and the reprofiled bonnet, both of which add to the Interceptor’s muscularity without being in any way over the top.

The rear window even has a ‘Jensen Motors Ltd’ sticker.

It’s been brilliantly done.

Mercury Silver was an inspired choice for the colour and it – naturally – has been applied with the same level of expertise as everything else. Even Our Man, aided by a magnifying glass and strong sunlight, had to concede that it is “very good”.

As are the 17-inch Rocket Racing alloy wheels, which are free of any blemishes, much less anything more serious. Painted a subtle grey, they sit with a suitably menacing stance thanks to that coil over suspension and wider wheelarches.

Their design also allows you to admire the uprated Fosseway brake calipers and ventilated discs.

A Proper Job, remember?

They have also been fitted with a matching set of 225/55R17 Goodyear Excellence tyres. Made in 2012 and 2013, while all have oodles of tread left on ‘em you might like to get them replaced as they’re now quite old.

Nonetheless, we will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

As for flaws, the windscreen has some chips and is starting to delaminate, and the tailgate has some microblisters on the offside. That’s it though, which is remarkable.

The black quilted leather interior is every bit as inspired as the coachwork, in both its design and execution.

Admire the contrasting white stitching first, which is neat and even. Notice too, that it extends to the door cards as well as the seats – and then look up to see the matching Alcantara headlining.

There’s a leather-covered Moto-Lita steering wheel too, plus that lightweight air-conditioning system and a suitably retro-looking radio that manages to conceal the fact it’s actually a modern DAB jobbie. Modern Pioneer speakers have been fitted to the front door cards.

Original features, such as the white-on-black Jaeger instruments with their chrome bezels, link the old and the new, while decadent touches such as fluffy lamb’s wool overmats protect the standard carpets underneath.

Dynamat Superlite sound insulation has also been fitted further civilising what was already a very luxurious place to be.

The boot is as beautifully trimmed as it is vast.

Naturally, given how new it all is, everything works exactly as it should, including the red warning lights when the doors are open.

Flaws are few. We spotted one small spot of rust inside the tailgate (54/104), and the offside rear carpet is showing its age. However, the rest of the carpets are very good, including the vulnerable heel protector in the driver’s footwell.

Recent work includes repairs to the starter motor wiring in March 2026, installing an adjustable cooling fan switch and recharging the air-conditioning in May 2025, reconditioning the power-steering system and undertaking miscellaneous repairs in October 2024, adjusting the ride height and fitting a new choke assembly and voltage stabilizer in July 2024, and fitting a new alternator with modified wiring and miscellaneous repairs, including an oil service, in May 2024.

No surprise then that our test drive went very well, with our assessor grinning broadly as he reported that it “drives and sounds great!”

You can judge the latter for yourself in the video – but please do factor in that few microphones are capable of capturing its true majesty, so please do yourself a favour and book an appointment to come and see and hear it in person. We promise you won’t be disappointed.

The engine bay maintains the theme being discreetly colour matched to the coachwork. It’s as beautifully presented as everything else too and even features a lengthy inspection lamp that clips neatly out of the way when it isn’t needed.

There’s a thermostatic cooling fan too, plus Evans waterless coolant. A K&N air filter that helps produce an addictive intake rasp, and other brand name components under the bonnet include a Mahle filter, Bosch battery, Semperit hoses, and Taylor HT leads.

As you’ll have guessed by now, the underside is every bit as well engineered as the rest of the car. Neatly protected by paint and underseal, the star of the show is the custom fabricated exhaust system, which looks as good as it sounds.

The Interceptor’s MoT certificate is valid until April 2027. It was also issued with no advisories, but then that’s been the case with every MoT it’s ever held.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar a marker for the change of colour, and it comes with two sets of keys and remote fobs.

A photo album lovingly documents the Jensen’s rebirth, while a five-page article in the Jensen Owners’ Club magazine goes into written detail.

Valuing a car like this is hard, not least because its market value will rarely reflect the scale of the investment.

This means our estimate is both wide – and surprisingly reasonable.

Because we suspect the virtual hammer will fall somewhere between £45,000 and £60,000, which is peanuts considering how much a Jensen Interceptor in this condition would be worth in the first place.

So, you’re almost getting the restoration and modifications for free, which isn’t to be sniffed at as we estimate you’d be paying a solid six-figure sum were you to try and replicate it.

As the seller says, it’s always better to let someone else do all the heavy lifting; he’d been looking for a Jensen Interceptor for years but had always been put off by the potential cost of having to restore a bad ‘un.

Please note Cherished Registration: LHT 7L is NOT included in the sale and the car will be put back on to: PKE 829L.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.