The original post-war Jensen Interceptor with aluminum body was in production
until 1957.
Meanwhile, the Jensen 541 with a fiberglass body was introduced in 1953,
still using the Austin motor but with triple carbs. It was the first British
production car with 4-wheel disc brakes. In 1960 the 541-S was the first
British car with seat belts standard.
The old 130 hp Austin motor was no longer powerful enough by 1960, so the
answer lay in Chrysler's big-block 5.9 litre engine with Torqueflite
transmission. A new chassis was needed to handle the 305 bhp, so the
slant-eyed fiberglass-bodied Jensen CV-8 was introduced in 1962.
A year and a bit later, the engine was replaced by the 6.3 litre (383 cu in)
motor with 330 bhp.
In 1966 Vignale in Turin Italy turned the CV-8 into the new Interceptor.
In 1971 the Interceptor SP (for Six Pack) was introduced with three twin-choke
Holleys and 385 bhp, recognizable by its louvered bonnet and vinyl roof.
Jensen lasted until May, 1976
Best,
Peter
_______________________________________________
Healeys@autox.team.net
Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
Suggested annual donation $12.75
Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
|