Jensen CV8 MkI (factory prototype)

History

"The impression that emerged was of a car superbly suited to Grand Touring in the true sense. A very smooth silent 6-litre engine and transmission gave it a performance so effortless as to be entirely deceptive. It comes as a shock to find that the figures (136mph and 0-100mph in 20.9 sec) make it one of the fastest cars we have ever tested and certainly the fastest four seater." As this 'Motor' review attests, the Jensen C-V8, introduced at the October 1962 Earls Court Motor Show, was truly a startlingly rapid machine.

Penned by Eric Neale in consultation with the Jensen brothers, its dramatic glassfibre bodywork clothed an advanced tubular chassis designed by Kevin Beattie. Equipped with independent coil-sprung front suspension, a 'live' rear axle, four-wheel Dunlop disc brakes, a limited slip differential and rack and pinion steering, the new Jensen was powered by a Chrysler 5.9 litre V8 engine allied to Torqueflite automatic transmission. Boasting some 305bhp and 395lbft of torque in MkI guise, it was capable of over 132mph.

First registered on 20th September 1962, this particular car is especially interesting in that it is one of approximately six experimental C-V8 cars made by Jensen (hence the EXP chassis number). It is further said to be the actual car they displayed at the Earl's Court Motor Show in 1962 to launch the model – although at the time of cataloguing we have not been able to verify this.

It subsequently became a press demonstrator and was featured in several period road tests, a copy of one of which is retained in the history file ('The Autocar' May 1963). The car was retained by the Jensen factory until March 1964 when it was sold into private hands.

In the current ownership since 1973, it was last on the road in 1976. Although it still starts, runs and moves backwards and forwards under its own steam, it is now in need of total restoration. Intriguingly, the car appears to have a number of MkII features leading one to surmise that it may have been updated by the factory. Believed to be complete and supplied with a green continuation log book from 1971 and a current V5C, this is a rare and historic machine that richly deserves to be brought back to life.

P.S. We have just received this email from the Jensen Owners Club:
"I can confirm that the car was sold on by Jensen in March 1964 to a Birmingham owner; the car was fastidiously maintained by Jensen Motors until 1970 when, I suspect, the owner finally gave in to pressure from JML to buy an Interceptor from them! In June 1969 there is a reference in correspondence to the car driving better than ever 'Even after 100,000 miles'."