Lot number | 1 |
---|---|
Hammer value | £1,500 |
Description | Jensen-Healey Convertible |
Registration | VPJ 760M |
Year | 1974 |
Colour | Red |
Engine size | 1,973 cc |
Chassis No. | 14073 |
Engine No. | A73094016 |
The Jensen-Healey convertible was launched in March 1972 when Donald Healey was chairman of the Jensen board. Aimed mainly at the American market, the West Bromwich-built sportscar was intended to be a modern, eco-friendly interpretation of the Healey 3000.
Styled by William Towns of Aston Martin Lagonda and DBS fame, it possessed a notably stiff bodyshell and was powered by Colin Chapman's brand new 2 litre, 16-valve, Lotus 907 twin cam engine. Pushing out 142bhp in European-spec Dellorto carburettor form, it was good for 120mph and could sprint to 60 in 7.8 secs and return 30mpg on a run.
Although the car enjoyed reasonable success, selling some 8,000 examples to America and 2,000 to Europe, it was not enough to save Jensen who finally shut up shop in 1976, weighed down by debts and industrial unrest.
First registered in April 1974, this particular Jensen-Healey has been in the current ownership since 1993. After being in regular use for a few months, the car was driven into storage in April 1994 and has not been used since, although the engine has been started and run occasionally. The owner was intending to restore the car but a series of overseas postings have put paid to these plans and it is now reluctantly being sold.
The passenger seat, door cards and centre console have been retrimmed in black leather and a matching leather cover for the driver’s seat is also included. A new hood has been fitted and a hardtop and spare 4-speed overdrive gearbox also come with the car. There is also a workshop manual which will no doubt prove invaluable in completing what should be a fairly straightforward restoration.