1971 Jensen Interceptor

Being offered with no reserve, ‘UKW 173K’, which has been in the care of the seller since March 2021, is a rare G Series Jensen Interceptor fitted with the Golden Commando big-block V8 and three-speed automatic gearbox.

Finished in its attractive blue colour scheme - this particular shade of blue being a 1980s Ferrari colour - it has just been restored and therefore benefits from a full respray plus a refurbished interior and many new mechanical parts. 

In need of a little TLC to get it finished and MoT’d, it is only being offered for sale because the owner has lost his storage space.

Freshly repainted in May 2023 by Berkshire Body Shop following a few repairs to the body, the Interceptor’s fresh paint was then machine-polished and detailed by GP Customs to bring out the very best shine possible. 

The bills came to well over £17,000 in total but it was worth every penny because it looks spectacular.

And that sum, hefty though it is, doesn’t include the invoices for the various door and window seals that were replaced at the same time, nor the new light lenses. It was a proper job and even included having the front and rear bumpers re-chromed. 

The 17-inch alloy wheels are also new and were supplied by the well-know and highly respected Jensen specialist Richard Appleyard. They are fitted with new centre caps too, as well as a matching set of four 235/70R17 tyres.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. 

As for flaws, there are some blemishes to the nearside front edge of the bonnet, and the panel at the base of the windscreen on the offside. 

Some of the chromework is a little pitted too, and there’s some rust bleeding from the chrome trim on the tailgate.

The interior is glorious. Of course, a large part of that is its original design but it’s clear the owner has spent a lot of money in refurbishing it.

The leather seats, for example, have been re-Connolised in Jaguar Isis Blue. They look plump and comfortable and are in a very good condition with no rips, tears or other damage to spoil them.

The dashboard is a good second-hand unit that was sourced for the project and provides a stunning backdrop for that iconic row of instruments. 

The radio-cassette player is a period-appropriate unit and is all the better for being so. It might not sound as good as a newer model but if you’re after noise, that’s why God invented the 6.3-litre engine that’s under the bonnet.

The carpets are new and were made specifically for this very car. As you’d expect, they look terrific and fit perfectly. 

The new black Mota-Lita steering wheel’s colour suits the interior much better than the more common wood-rimmed one would have done and we salute whoever chose it.

The pleated headlining was cleaned before being refitted and looks very good.

Nonetheless, despite all this hard work and expense a few small areas of the cockpit remain lightly patinated. But, it wears its years lightly and what little patination remains is minor and could be easily ignored. 

However, you might like to turn your attention to the boot at some point as it lags a little behind the rest of the interior thanks to well-worn carpets.

As for actual faults, the rev counter doesn’t work.

The Jensen’s mechanical condition hasn’t been ignored and it’s had many new parts fitted including a high-torque starter motor, a new electronic ignition system, coil and module, refurbished brake calipers and new brake pipes, new fuel hoses and filters, a new battery, and an Edelbrock carburettor.

Please see the attached invoices for the full details.

The engine bay was painted as part of the restoration. It looks good but we can see the new owner will probably want to tidy the engine up a little while they’re investigating the couple of faults it has.

The exhaust is blowing due to the need for a new gasket. The seller tells us that the correct gasket comes with the car but he hasn’t been able to find anyone who can fit it before the auction starts. Still, at least sourcing the correct gasket is a problem you won’t have to worry about.

We also note the engine is burning oil and the engine is making some noises it shouldn’t. As a result, we’d strongly encourage potential bidders to make an appointment to view the car to decide for themselves what they think the problem is.

The underside has been undersealed and the invoices on file show it’s had some general welding plus attention to the front valance and new jacking point covers fitted.

The Interceptor doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies… 

That said, it only ran out in September 2023 and given the last one was issued with no advisory points, getting a new one might not be too hard once the engine problems have been sorted out. That was certainly the seller’s plan, had he been able to find someone to fit the exhaust gasket…

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear and the Jensen comes with a Statement of Origin from the factory in addition to the initial build sheet and the bills and invoices for its recent restoration.

If you’ve got a Tesla in the garage this probably isn’t the car for you. But, if you’re more interested in enjoying your daily driver than shaving a few pounds off your income tax bill - and prefer watching re-runs of The Sweeney to Strictly Come Dancing - then it definitely is.

Fresh from the sort of expenditure that would still buy you’re a very nice terrace house in most Northern towns, it sports the kind of quality finish to its coachwork that would have been almost impossible to achieve in-period.

Still the staple of many a middle-aged man’s dream, this iconic British muscle car could be yours for somewhere between £30,000 and £40,000 – but as it’s being offered with no reserve, it’s going to sell no matter what. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.