Jensen Interceptor MkIII G-Series 6.3-litre

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 "With a power output like this in a car weighing 33cwt unladen, the results of pressing the accelerator are pretty electrifying to say the least. With all that torque on tap and such excellent brakes willing to take any punishment, there are no problems getting along very fast indeed."

As this Autocar road test made clear, the Jensen Interceptor was a seriously quick car by any standards, recording a 0-60 time of 6.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 137mph – figures that few cars in the world could match at the time.

With its distinctive ‘fishbowl’ rear window, the handsome Interceptor made its debut in 1966 and was a seductive amalgam of Italian flair, American muscle and British craftsmanship. Styled by Touring of Milan with some subtle tweaks by Vignale (who also made the first bodies), it was initially powered by a 6,276cc Chrysler V8 driving the rear wheels through a TorqueFlite automatic transmission.

Although the engine eventually grew to 7.2 litres, the dragster-like performance of the early 300bhp 6.3-litre was never bettered. Handbuilt and very expensive, ownership was always limited to a privileged few and only 6,408 Interceptors were sold before production came to an end in 1976.

First registered in November 1971, this particular car is an early G-Series MkIII which still had the pokey 6.3-litre lump fitted (the J-Series badges by the rear window are not correct and must have been added later). The current owner purchased the car in Birmingham in October 1980 when it had just 65,600 miles on the clock. Having sealed the deal, he jumped in and set off on the 40 mile journey home.

Not having owned such a potent machine before, he was keen to see what it could do but was frustrated by slower traffic for most of the way until, approaching the Severn bridge at Holt Fleet, he spotted an overtaking opportunity and nailed the throttle to the floor. The resultant surge in acceleration caught him so off guard that, before he knew it, he was airborne half-way across the river.

His life flashing before him as he flew across the bridge, he managed to regain control then crept the rest of the way home, parked the Jensen up in a grain store and has barely touched it since. Fortunately his chief farmhand could appreciate the evident qualities of the Jensen and did his best to preserve it, periodically starting and moving the car for many years in order to keep everything free.

Last running about three years ago, the car will doubtless need substantial restoration but the black leather interior still looks in good shape (apart from a rodent hole in one rear seat base) and should clean up well. There is apparently quite a good history file with the car but, at the time of cataloguing, this could not be readily located although the V5 is present.

These handmade GTs are really quite something and the market is only just waking up to the fact. Being sold here at no reserve, this sleeping beauty should amply reward the effort now required to return it to the road. Just be careful with the loud pedal when you come to a hump-backed bridge…

Catalogue amendment: History file not currently present, but will sent to the buyer, if found.