Jensen Interceptor III

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Some cars look powerful, some look expensive and a few, a very few, look genuinely beautiful. To achieve all three at once is a real achievement but it’s a trick that the Interceptor pulls off in spades.

One of the finest GT cars made, this handbuilt classic just oozes class and makes most other cars look cheap by comparison. Vastly expensive when new, it is still an occasion to see one of the 700 that still survive on the UK’s roads today from the 6,408 made in total.

Small wonder that the Interceptor attracted the glitterati of '60s society when new. Frank Sinatra, Clark Gable, Tony Curtis, Keith Richards, Dusty Springfield, Lord Carrington – the list of famous owners goes on and on, making it all the more amazing that these superb machines are so under-valued today. As rare as any DB Aston, better made and far more potent to boot, they are perhaps the classic car bargain of the modern age.

The last model of the line was the MkIII which came out in 1971 with an even plusher interior, central locking, improved dual-circuit brakes, new GKN alloy wheels and a bigger 7.2-litre engine which produced a mighty 330bhp and 410lb/ft of torque. “The results of pressing the accelerator are pretty electrifying to say the least," wrote Autocar, recording a 0-60 time of 6.4 secs on the way to a top speed of 137mph. "With all that torque on tap and such excellent brakes willing to take any punishment, there are no problems getting along very fast indeed."

Production finally halted in 1976, the oil crisis of the early '70s making such conspicuous consumption rather unfashionable. A group of businessmen bought the production rights and built a limited number of a MkIII S4 5.3-litre models in the 1980s, although this venture didn't survive for long.

This original RHD Interceptor III was supplied as a new car to a European-based nuclear engineer who took it to Canada with him when posted there in the late 1980's. The present owner purchased it in September 1991 shortly before he was due to relocate to the UK. The car was shipped over and used here for several holidays before being returned to Canada when the 'move' did not materialise.

He has found driving a fast 'wrong-hand-drive' car a challenge on the Canadian roads and as a result, the Interceptor has had relatively light use over the years. It had an engine rebuild about 8,000 miles ago when the paint colour was also changed from dark blue to the present red.

More recently the car was fitted with a correct replacement four-barrel Carter carburettor and a new battery, the vendor adding that the engine is good, quiet and powerful. It doesn’t use oil and compression was within specifications when last tested. We are advised that the car could do with a replacement steering rack, the vendor pointing out that it seemed pretty pointless sourcing a right-hand drive rack in North America when the car was returning to the UK.

It is being sold with the correct import documentation including the NOVA form and has had all relevant taxes paid, although there has been insufficient time since its arrival to start the DVLA registration process which will be down to the new owner.

Every bit as glamorous and capable as a contemporary Aston Martin, these wonderful GTs are only just beginning to get the recognition they deserve and we can’t help feeling that they are still considerably undervalued in the current market.

AMENDMENT; Please note that more information about the car's early history has recently come to light. The car left the factory on 28th January 1974 painted in Royal blue. It had an optional Voxon Radio/Cartridge stereo fitted and was first UK registered OVT 390M although this number is no longer recognised by the DVLA.