Jensen Interceptor SP

 

Assuming a stereotypically traditionalist British sportsman of the early 20th century was a regular Car Lust reader--the odds of which are roughly 0%--I could imagine him being ecstatic at seeing the Jensen Interceptor in place of the usual claptrap featured in this space.

"Finally, that Amazon lad served up a proper piece of kit rather than that other bloody Yank rubbish!" he'd exclaim. "Finally, a jolly good Brit grand tourer to get a chap around with slightly more dignity, what!"

He would be right. Unlike uncouth muscle cars, the Jensen matches muscle with traditional English style and deportment. The Interceptor would be the type that, though a bare-knuckle brawler in its earlier days, now prefers to unwind with single-malt scotch and a cigar in a dark-wood-paneled study, pondering an upcoming safari.

In truth, though, while the Jensen has classic 1960s-1970s English GT styling and interior detailing--note the Aston Martin-like profile, the glassy fastback, and bold, forthright grille--the red, white, and blue blood in its powerful V-8 heart beats to the pattern of the Stars and Stripes, not the Union Jack.

You see, the seemingly stolid Brit learned how to party in Detroit with that American hussy, Mopar. The Interceptor debuted in 1966 with the torquey 383-cubic-inch Chrysler V-8, but the monster Chrysler 440 followed, along with the ultra-rare SP option package--the legendary 440 6 Pack with its six barrels of air-inhaling carburetion.

The 440 6 Pack was one of the all-time legendary muscle car engines, behind only the 426 Hemi in the Mopar pantheon, so shoehorning it into an elegant British grand tourer is an incredibly intriguing premise.

The Interceptor added a high-tech sheen to its traditional looks and boisterous Detroit power, with an FF option package that brought four-wheel disc brakes (very rare in 1966), full-time all-wheel drive (virtually nonexistent), and the first-ever mechanical anti-lock braking system.

Stylish, high-tech, and sporting American muscle, the Jensen Interceptor is an all-time great, and a car I've lusted after since I was a child.

The pictures featured here came from user smenzel at Flickr and are of one of very few left-hand-drive Interceptor SPs ever made.

Comments

[Eric B on April 12, 2008 at 10:35 PM]

You have the best breakdown of cars I have ever seen on the internet, by far. As an owner of a Jensen Interceptor (#5 for me) as well as TR6, TR8, and a '57 Vauxhall Victor.

I am an American with English Heritage (and very proud of it). Discrimination should never take place of any HANDMADE ENGLISH car!

Where are those handmade cars now -TVR (owned by a Russian Investor), Bentley (VW), Vauxhall (French/Honda), and ROLLS ROYCE (to mention a few)?

Appreciate the times of where the marks were; and fight to get that little island back to its own Country branding... or just keep writing.

Best,

E

[Chris Hafner on April 14, 2008 at 02:40 PM]

Thanks, Eric!