Jensen-Healey Mk 2

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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.

This sound four-speed Mk 2 has been owned by the vendor since 2008, the car having had five previous keepers over its 40 year lifespan. Back in 2003 it was treated to a body restoration which included work to the sills and floor and latterly the engine was given a thorough overhaul, having covered some 10,000 miles since then.

The vendor informs us that although there are some small areas of rust starting to appear on the bodywork, it is basically sound, is MOTd until September 2015 and will be driven over 140 miles to the sale. You can’t say fairer than that.

CATALOGUE AMENDMENT: This car underwent a thorough restoration in 2003 as shown in the accompanying extensive photographic build history. In 2008 the engine was fully rebuilt by REJEN. It is a 2.2 litre unit and is now mated to a 5-speed Getrag gearbox (not a 4-speed as catalogued above) and has covered around 10,000 miles since installation. There is a small box of spare parts and 3 manuals.