Buyers Guide to: Jensen Interceptor Mk 3

Useful Info

Manufactured Engine Size Jensen Owners Club 1971 to 1976 7200cc www.joc.org.uk

Fuel Type Engine Type Martin Robey Petrol Water-Cooled Nuneaton Warwickshire Drive Configuration CV10 9AE RWD 0247 6386903 www.martinrobey.com Background Corrosion Hotspots

Launched at the Earls Court Motor Show in October 1. Front wings 1966, the Jensen Interceptor was a beguiling mix of Italian styling and American engines. Designed by coachbuilder, 2. Front and rear valances Touring of Milan, the early cars were built by Vignale before being shipped to Jensen’s West Bromwich 3. Bonnet factory for completion (later cars were fully assembled at the factory.) Under the bonnet was a 6.3-litre V8 producing 330bhp, but by the time the Mk3 model 4. Windscreen surround arrived in 1971 the engine had grown in size to 7.2 litres with 385bhp. As you’d expect, the fuel bills 5. Door bottoms weren’t cheap! Jensen, though, was a troubled firm and production ended in 1976 although there were a number 6. Sills of attempted comebacks over the following decades. Sought after today, the Interceptor has a loyal following and boasted numerous celebrity owners when it was new. 7. Rear wheel arches

8. Tailgate surround

4 3

2

7 1 5 6 8

2

QuoteMyClassic QMC’s 5 tips to buying a classic car

1) Take a torch – Make sure you crawl in and under the car. shake or if the steering is always heavy. If you just see one car, Look for recent rust repairs or accident damage, new black you won’t know if you are buying a bad one. stone chip paint is a dead giveaway here. 4) Don’t view a car in the rain or if it’s just been washed and is 2) Check current market values – Have a look around and get still wet – Paint will always look better when it’s wet. Water will a feel for what cars are selling for. If you are buying privately, make even the dullest paint look shiny. don’t pay too much attention to auction and dealer prices, 5) And finally - If a deal is too good to be true, it usually is! they will be higher than private sellers. We know it’s a cliché but this really is the best advice anyone 3) Don’t buy the first car you view – You need to see and drive can give you. Beware of scammers, never pay a deposit a couple of cars. That way you will know if they all rattle and before meeting the seller and viewing the car. Example Quote

Customer Name Age Declan Goodson 50 Postcode Occupation CB10 Management Consultant

Vehicle Jensen Interceptor Mk 3 – 1971-1976 Year Engine Size cc NCB 2nd Car (Y/N) 1973 6276 0 Yes Value Miles Owners club (Y/N) Cover £40,000 3000 Yes Comprehensive

Best Rate £98.94

3. Limited Milage Discounts - Save up to 50% on your 5 reasons to choose QMC insurance policy by limiting the mileage to just what as your insurance partner you actually need. 4. 2nd Car Discounts - When you take out an insurance 1. Agreed Value - We’ll work with you and our team of policy with QMC, you’ll automatically be eligible for experts to create an accurate, realistic agreed value a discount on any other vehicle you insure with us. for your vehicle. 5. Payment plans up to 10 months - Spread your 2. Salvage Retention - Complete salvage retention is payments out over up to ten months with QMC, included in our policies, so you’d keep your vehicle making paying for your insurance easier if it’s taken off the road. to manage.

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The bottom six inches of the bodywork as this That the automatic transmission changes is where many of the rust problems occur gear smoothly. The Chrysler Torqueflite unit is fundamentally strong but benefits from regular For signs of rot in the sills. Check carefully from fluid changes, and it can be prone to leaks, inside the cabin and underneath because if it’s too. Budget around £1500 for an overhaul bad you could be looking at £5000 per side to replace them The differential for oil leaks. It can get noisy at high mileages although that rarely leads The condition of all the panels as replacement to failure isn’t cheap and their hand-built nature often makes fettling necessary to make them fit The suspension for worn joints and bushes. properly. The cost of restoring an Interceptor The Interceptor is a heavy car, so check the gap can be huge so check carefully for signs of filler between the top of the tyre and the wheel arch, especially at the rear – too small, and it points The underneath, preferably on a ramp, looking to sagging springs and dampers in need of for corrosion in the cabin and boot floor, the replacement chassis box section below the foot wells, and in the chassis tubes For signs of fluid leaks from the hydraulics. Pipe connections and the rack itself Around the tailgate hinge area as cars with a are the usual culprits, and the latter is awkward vinyl roof can be concealing rot here. Check the to change, so ensure the steering doesn’t feel boot for damp, too, as perished tailgate seals notchy on the test drive will let water in leading to rust in the floor That the brakes aren’t worn. Replacing the discs That the big V8 isn’t badly worn. Look for at least and pads isn’t prohibitively expensive, but a 40psi of oil pressure at idle, while lots of blue worn master cylinder will leak fluid and cause smoke from the exhaust means a rebuild is due, excessive pedal travel and the cost can exceed £5000 at a specialist The condition of the cabin. There’s acres of The engine for oil leaks, rattling from a worn leather and if it’s damaged or badly worn you’ll timing chain, and for signs of overheating which be facing a hefty bill for specialist re-trimming will damage the head gaskets. Let the engine idle and check that the cooling fan cuts in. Also, For any signs that the windscreen seal has been high under-bonnet temperatures can lead to leaking – water ingress will damage trim and perished wiring so check the condition of the carpets, and accelerates corrosion in the floor loom, and keep an eye out for electrical issues That all of the electrics work as old wiring For a ticking from under the bonnet which can cause problems. And check that the air- points to cracked exhaust manifolds conditioning is present and working – the cost of repairs may mean it’s been ignored For lumpy running caused by a worn fuel or ignition system. Some examples have been converted to fuel injection to improve economy, but make sure you can live with the thirst

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