Jensen-Healey MkI

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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. Bluffly handsome with sharp-edged sixties lines, it was styled by Hugo Poole with input from William Towns (of Aston Martin Lagonda and DBS fame) and possessed a notably stiff bodyshell thanks to its Barry Bilbie-designed (of Austin-Healey 100 fame) unibody.

It was powered by Colin Chapman's brand new 2-litre, 16-valve, Lotus 907 twin cam engine. Pushing out 144bhp in European-spec Dellorto carburettor form and driving through a 4-speed Sunbeam Rapier gearbox, it was good for 120mph, could sprint to 60 in 7.8 secs and returned 30mpg on a run. With simple but effective Vauxhall Firenza-derived suspension and running gear, it had powerful Girling disc brakes at the front. As befits a proper sportscar, the interior was austere and functional.

A fundamentally good design, it enjoyed some competition success, especially in America, where in 1973 a Jensen factory-backed car driven by Lee Mueller became one of the few cars to win the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Production Championship at its first attempt, a feat Mueller repeated the following year. 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.

Dating from January 1973, this particular MkI was purchased by the vendor only recently after it had been in storage for three years. Already the owner of a superb modified Jensen-Healey, his intention was to do this one up to use as a daily driver but unfortunately an imminent house move and consequent loss of storage has forced a change of plans, hence the reason for sale.

Although the last MOT expired in 2012, the car is said to be a sound and straight example that runs well with good oil pressure and was treated to an overhaul of the Dellorto carbs shortly before it was laid up. Sitting on the correct Jensen-Healey alloys, it comes with both hard and soft tops although the latter is past its best.

A run of 18 old MOTs from 1987 – 2012 show the mileage rising from 66,040 to 73,218 during that time. Time permitting, the vendor hopes to get a fresh MOT in time for the sale and plans to drive it 40 miles to Brightwells. A nice single digit number plate rounds off this attractive package.

With a fine Lotus engine and striking sixties lines, the Jensen-Healey is a most interesting alternative to more run-of-the-mill sportscars and is only just beginning to be appreciated by collectors. With only 302 still registered in the UK today, it is also very rare and survivors are increasingly highly prized. Best to buy one now then, before the rest of the world cottons on to what good cars they are.

Please note that despite the gearknob seen in the pictures, this car does not have overdrive and the correct gearknob will be substituted before the sale.