.gif)
Jensen Interceptor (1950)
Encyclopedia
The first generation of Jensen Interceptor was the second car to be made by Jensen Motors
after World War II and was produced from 1950 to 1957. Jensen later reused the name for a different car (built from 1966 and revived several times after that).
The car was based on Austin components with a body built by Jensen and styled by Eric Neale
. The engine and transmission came from the Austin Sheerline
and the chassis was a lengthened version of the one used on the Austin A70
with a modified version of the independent coil sprung suspension.
The two door body was available at first as a convertible and made from a mix of aluminium and steel on a wood frame. The entire front section hinged forwards to give access to the engine. The wrap around rear window was made of rigid plastic (Perspex) and was arranged to drop down into a well for stowage when the top was lowered. In 1952 a hardtop version with fabric covered roof was launched and a few sedanca
version were also made. Total production was 32 convertibles, 52 saloons and 4 sedancas.
The brakes used a mixed Girling hydraulic/mechanical system at first to be replaced by a full hydraulic system later. The four speed manual transmission gained optional overdrive in 1952. When the overdrive was fitted a lower, 3.77:1, rear axle gearing was used.
A convertible tested by The Motor magazine in 1952 had a top speed of 95 mph (152.9 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) in 17.8 seconds. A fuel consumption of 20.3 miles per gallon(imperial) was recorded.
In 1952 the car cost £2645 (including tax) on the home market. The overdrive was an extra £116.
In 1953 American race car legend Briggs Cunningham
had a left hand drive Interceptor made with a Chrysler Hemi engine
Jensen also made the Austin A40 Sports
which was, in its styling, a scaled down version of the Interceptor .
Jensen Motors
Jensen Motors Ltd was a British manufacturer of sports cars and commercial vehicles, based in the Lyng – West Bromwich...
after World War II and was produced from 1950 to 1957. Jensen later reused the name for a different car (built from 1966 and revived several times after that).
The car was based on Austin components with a body built by Jensen and styled by Eric Neale
Eric Neale
Eric Neale was a British car designer.-Biography:Born in Halesowen, Worcestershire and educated at Halesowen Grammar School...
. The engine and transmission came from the Austin Sheerline
Austin Sheerline
The Austin Sheerline was a luxury car produced by Austin Motor Company from 1947 to 1954.The Sheerline was designed by Austin during World War Two but production did not begin until 1947 because of the commitment to war production...
and the chassis was a lengthened version of the one used on the Austin A70
Austin A70
The Austin A70 Hampshire and later Austin A70 Hereford are large cars which were produced by the Austin Motor Company of Britain from 1948 until 1954...
with a modified version of the independent coil sprung suspension.
The two door body was available at first as a convertible and made from a mix of aluminium and steel on a wood frame. The entire front section hinged forwards to give access to the engine. The wrap around rear window was made of rigid plastic (Perspex) and was arranged to drop down into a well for stowage when the top was lowered. In 1952 a hardtop version with fabric covered roof was launched and a few sedanca
Town car
A town car is a historical automobile body style in which the front seats were open and the rear compartment closed, normally with a removable top to cover the front chauffeur's compartment...
version were also made. Total production was 32 convertibles, 52 saloons and 4 sedancas.
The brakes used a mixed Girling hydraulic/mechanical system at first to be replaced by a full hydraulic system later. The four speed manual transmission gained optional overdrive in 1952. When the overdrive was fitted a lower, 3.77:1, rear axle gearing was used.
A convertible tested by The Motor magazine in 1952 had a top speed of 95 mph (152.9 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) in 17.8 seconds. A fuel consumption of 20.3 miles per gallon(imperial) was recorded.
In 1952 the car cost £2645 (including tax) on the home market. The overdrive was an extra £116.
In 1953 American race car legend Briggs Cunningham
Briggs Cunningham
Briggs Swift Cunningham II was an American entrepreneur and sportsman, who raced automobiles and yachts. Born into a wealthy family, he became a racing car constructor, driver, and team owner as well as a sports car manufacturer and automobile collector.He skippered the victorious yacht Columbia...
had a left hand drive Interceptor made with a Chrysler Hemi engine
Chrysler Hemi engine
The Chrysler Hemi engine, known by the trademark Hemi, is a series of V8 engines built by Chrysler with a hemispherical combustion chamber. Three different types of Hemi engines have been built by Chrysler for automobiles: the first from 1951–1958, the second from 1964–1971, and the third...
Jensen also made the Austin A40 Sports
Austin A40 Sports
See Austin A40 for other A40 models.The Austin A40 Sports debuted at the 1949 London Motor Show as a four-passenger, aluminium-bodied convertible version of the Austin A40 — carrying an Austin of England nameplate, bearing the marque's Flying A hood ornament, and designed and manufactured in...
which was, in its styling, a scaled down version of the Interceptor .