Founded by brothers Richard and Alan Jensen in 1934, Jensen Motors was a bespoke British coachbuilder and sports car manufacturer based in West Bromwich. Before building their own cars, they gained prominence by constructing custom bodies for major brands and subcontracting for Austin.
Jensen became globally renowned for pioneering automotive technology. They were early adopters of glass-fibre bodywork on the 541 saloon and made history with the Jensen Interceptor FF—the world’s first production passenger car featuring permanent all-wheel drive and mechanical ABS anti-lock brakes.Their most famous creation, the striking, Italian-styled Jensen Interceptor (1966–1976), beautifully married British luxury with powerful American Chrysler V8 engines. Heavily hit by the 1970s oil crisis, the original company ceased operations in 1976.
Jensen-Ford
In 1934, Hollywood star Clark Gable commissioned Jensen to design a custom car on a Ford V8 chassis. The resulting acclaim sparked an official deal with Ford, and produced elegant, low-slung cars; ‘woody’ station wagons too.
Years
1936-41
Engine
3622cc V8 Ford
Body Style
Saloon, station wagon
Production
5-10/2-3
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Jensen S-Type
The factory’s first production model. Built on a modified chassis, it mated dependable with elegant luxury coachwork. It pioneered the Columbia dual-ratio rear axle, offering relaxed, high-speed touring.
Years
1936-41
Engine
3622/2227cc V8 Ford
Body Style
Saloon, tourer, coupé
Production
35 + 8 + 5
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Photo: Flickr
Jensen H-Type
The flagship Jensen H-type featured independent front suspension and a 4.3-litre Nash straight-eight engine. Jensen also built a few 2¼-Litre X-type in 1937, but proved too small and expensive.
Years
1938-45
Engine
4279cc S8 Nash
Body Style
Sports saloon, tourer (shown), DHC, coupé
Production
14
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Photo: Sotheby’s
Jensen PW
The PW (“Post-War”) was a hand-built luxury saloon. Early models suffered vibrations from a Meadows S8 engine, prompting a switch to first Nash then Austin power. Material shortages limited production.
Years
1946-51
Engine
3860/4205/3993cc S8/6 OHV
Body Style
Saloon
Production
19
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Photo: Wikipedia
Jensen Interceptor
A hand-built luxury GT, pairing a modified Austin A70 chassis and a 4-litre Austin S6 engine. Styled by Eric Neale, it had an aluminium-over-wood body with a unique forward-hinging front section.
Years
1950-57
Engine
3993cc S6 OHV Austin
Body Style
4-seater convertible, 2-dr saloon
Production
88
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Photo: Flickr
Jensen 541
Revolutionised GTs with lightweight glass-fibre bodywork on a steel chassis. Triple-carb, 4-litre Austin S6 engine gave 115 mph. Deluxe was first British 4-seater production car with all-round disc brakes.
Years
1954-59
Engine
3993cc S6 OHV Austin
Body Style
2-dr sports saloon
Production
226
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Jensen 541R
The high-performance variant, featuring engine, 4-speed overdrive gearbox, and standard 4-wheel disc brakes. Capable of 127.5 mph, it was the fastest 4-seater Britain had produced.
Years
1957-60
Engine
3993cc S6 OHV Austin
Body Style
2-dr sports saloon
Production
193
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Jensen 541S
The final, most luxurious evolution of the series, with a new oval front grille instead of the pivoting blind. A V8 was planned but it retained the Austin straight-six.
Years
1961-63
Engine
3993cc S6 OHV Austin
Body Style
2-dr sports saloon.
Production
108
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Photo: Flickr
Jensen C-V8
Swapping British S6 power for massive American Chrysler big-block V8. It paired a fibreglass body with a new steel chassis, creating one of the fastest four-seater grand tourers of its era.
Years
1962-66
Engine
5916/6276cc V8 OHV Chrysler
Body Style
2-dr sports saloon
Production
70/250/141
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Jensen Interceptor
Striking Italian styling by Carrozzeria Touring paired with a roaring Chrysler V8 engine. Initially hand-built by Vignale in Italy before Jensen transferred production in-house to West Bromwich in 1967.
Years
1967-76
Engine
6276/7212cc V8 OHV Chrysler
Body Style
2-dr sports saloon
Production
5472
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Jensen FF
A technological marvel, introducing permanent 4-wheel drive and anti-lock brakes (Dunlop Maxaret) to a production car. Longer wheelbase and bonnet and dual wing vents.
Years
1967-71
Engine
6276cc V8 OHV Chrysler
Body Style
2-dr sports saloon
Production
320
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Jensen SP
The flagship, and first with the 7.2-litre engine – the three twin-barrel Holley carbs giving the “Six-Pack” name. Outperformed contemporary supercars, but fuel crises and complex tuning limited production.
Years
1971-76
Engine
7212cc V8 OHV Chrysler
Body Style
2-dr sports saloon
Production
232
Power: Weight
385 bhp
Dimensions
Jensen-Healey
Sleek, 2-seater convertible designed by Donald Healey. It featured the pioneering, but initially unreliable 2-litre Lotus 907 16-valve twin-cam engine. Late models gained a five-speed Getrag gearbox.
Years
1972-76
Engine
1973cc S4 DOC Lotus
Body Style
Sportscar
Production
10,926
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Jensen Interceptor Convertible
A gamble, debuted just as rivals halted soft-top development over feared US safety bans. Power-operated roof and conventional boot lid.
Years
1974-76
Engine
7212cc V8 OHV Chrysler
Body Style
Convertible
Production
456
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Photo: Flickr
Jensen Interceptor Coupé
Used the Convertible’s lower body shell mated to a unique, permanent “bubble-top” roof built by Panther Cars, along with a vinyl wrap and inverted Jaguar XJ6 rear windscreen.
Years
1975-76
Engine
7212cc V8 OHV Chrysler
Body Style
2-dr sports coupé
Production
c. 50
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Photo: Flickr
Jensen GT
Luxurious “shooting-brake” estate version of the roadster, with 2+2 seating layout, electric windows, and a burr walnut dashboard.
Years
1975-76
Engine
1973cc S4 DOC Lotus
Body Style
2-dr sports estate
Production
473
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Jensen Interceptor IV
Low-volume hand-built revival built by a reorganised factory. Visually close to the Mark III, it had a cleaner 5.9-litre Chrysler V8 engine and a modernised cabin. High costs limited production.
Years
1984-91
Engine
5898cc V8 OHV Chrysler
Body Style
2-dr sports saloon, convertible
Production
14
Power: Weight
Dimensions
Photo: Manor Park