Jensen Interceptor MK1 review

[@Cyberdyne-kg8ku]

The best name ever for a car.

[@paulbennell3313]

A true Grand Touring car. Still looks good now, must've looked incredible in '66!

[@thatguyfromcetialphaV]

My dear old mum's dream car

[@TheFlyingdeuces]

The more switches the better! Speaks to my inner 70's child. What a gorgeous car!!!

[@skippmclovan1135]

My late uncle in NZ imported one of these 383 Interceptors (in dark green/black interior) brand new in the day as the replacement for a Studebaker Hawk 289 (white/red interior) however it's life was short-lived when it was quite literally 'cut-in-half' from the rear by his 16ft 327 Hamilton jet boat which detached from it's trailer, ploughed down the front tee-bar support and rode right up onto the rear half of the car, under sudden emergency braking to avoid a milk tanker at a crossroads at 70 mph..! The boat still sort-of lived after a heavily scarred-up fashion, but the Jensen died that day. Repairing the hugely extensive damage to it just wasn't feasible. He didn't believe in insurance, so that aborted journey to the lakeside was a record expense for him..!

[@graemew7001]

When I was a small child in the 1970's I always dreamed of driving one of these (bucket list at 7!! 😂). When I was 19 in 1989 I worked for a classic car garage and got my dream, I drove one from North London to Darlington and yes, you can watch the fuel gauge move, we worked it out to be 7.6 mpg 😰, still though a stupendous vehicle to drive.

[@idriveaclassic]

I love that you had a dream ride list as a child x

[@graemew7001]

@@idriveaclassic I did lol, I've never driven a 911 or a Dodge Challenger or a Mk 1 Cooper "S" though but I did manage to get the E Type and Interceptor marked off. I have to say the E Type was a let down, I really didn't like driving that, just overall a disappointing driving experience but the design and engineering was brilliant.

[@robertmaitland09]

That car is made for you Steph.

[@muckle8]

@emjayay - probably not hanging about !

[@graemew7001]

@@muckle8 You met 19 year old me then lol. I wasn't hanging about but to be honest it wasn't running the best either, the mpg improved once the mechanics had gone through it.

[@steverobey711]

Hi coming from Nottinghamshire you cannot beat the sound of a v8 cruising along and they Sound AWESOME I have always loved v8 engines Jensen was the first car to be Fitted with Four wheel drive which came from Massey Ferguson Tractors All the best👍👍👍

[@davidevans4089]

What a great looking car, they were certainly one of the cars to have in the 1970s when I was growing up.

[@vincentl.9469]

I wouldn't have one now if it was free !

[@rileybenstead3574]

@@vincentl.9469 If you are offered one for free, please take it and pass it on to me.

[@vincentl.9469]

@@rileybenstead3574 Will do ...

[@rileybenstead3574]

@@vincentl.9469 Thank you. I will get my garage cleared out ready for it, lol.

[@MrTrevithick]

I’ve owned 5 Jensen’s and still own an SP (which you are welcome to drive when it’s back on the road) and this is one of the best reviews I’ve ever seen and you obviously get the experience which these cars deliver. As for fuel consumption just think of it as “smiles per gallon”.

[@mattridgley9095]

Fuel economy not a consideration for a Six Pack!

[@ickleshouse]

Nice one dude, hope you get taken up on your offer...

[@idriveaclassic]

Please do drop me an email! I cannot reply on here privately to arrange 😊

[@ickleshouse]

@@idriveaclassic your "about" on youtube has no email. If you look on the "about" for this channel you can email them direct..

[@idriveaclassic]

@@ickleshouse how strange it used to! It’s idriveaclassicatgmaildotcom x

[@jameswhyard2858]

I knew Alan Jensen, my Mum was his cook, took me for a blast in his 541 Series R, quite an experience for a 12 year old...

[@leopoldonotarianni8663]

Unbelievably ahead of its time upon it's unveiling in 1966...

[@robsawalker]

Those warning lights look like the ones in the Maxi if my memory serves me well (which it probably doesn't). Love how it wobbles when you rev it! Another great video Steph, thanks!

[@MrCapri78]

Had a mk2 interceptor in 1983 when I was 23. Insurance cost me over £900 at the time and it averaged around 10 miles to the gallon but I loved it. Mine was maroon with a black vinyl roof and doeskin leather. Wish I still had it ❤

[@malcolmcowan9554]

No way that cost 900 quid insurance back in 1983. you could by a house back then for that

[@MrCapri78]

@@malcolmcowan9554 well yes it did. I was paying over £400 on a 2 year old 2.0 litre cortina I had before that. Had real problems finding a company that would insure me for the Jensen. Maybe I was a bad risk, I had 2 endorsements and passed my test the year before.

[@MrCapri78]

@@malcolmcowan9554 This was in the days before the internet and go compare. We had two insurance brokers in our town and you went with them. Buy hey, you know best.

[@print-master]

@@malcolmcowan9554 I had a TVR 3000m when i was 21 and TPFT was 400 thru my dads broker bc it was group 9

[@KKTR3]

In 85 I was 19 and it was £700 TPFT for a T140v.

[@colnuttall9035]

Laity ? That a word I haven’t heard used in a long time. Great car and a good video, thanks Steph. Australia

[@normhanson981]

Big money back in the early 1970’s , I remember it costing 7k for the FF . There was also the SP version . Beautiful car . Similar to the Monteverdi.

[@allanmollison6971]

You do a great job matching your outfits with the cars you review Steph. Enjoyable as always 😊👍

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks Allan you lovely human 💕💕💕

[@allanmollison6971]

@@idriveaclassic thank you for the lovely comments

[@vincentl.9469]

@@idriveaclassic Carrozzeria..(Coachwork) watch a few Italians pronounce that word and you'll get it!!

[@stevenclarke5606]

As a child of the sixties, I remember seeing these car and they were definitely head turners, it’s still a beautiful car in the 21st century, so can you imagine how it looked back in the day, it was truly futuristic, the rear screen was just amazing.

[@stuartbritton4811]

Cars of that era were, in my opinion, the most beautiful of all time. Today's cars are c....p, in terms of looks.

[@bernardwarr4187]

I restored one of the nicest SP’s in the country! There not for everyone, but smiles per miles, for a real car enthusiast it’s diff to beat. When you rebuild one of these, your see the highest quality workmanship and design. Not the most ecologically car, but definitely one of The greatest. Italian styling, British engineering and the Chrysler engine, if looked after are incredible high quality. There a bit of a bird pulley, when there in the cockpit, Many great memories! Great video

[@rogerpritchard]

My god,. An interceptor!! Well done Steff.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you!!!

[@RVPartsGerald]

It's the fun per gallon when you drive a Chrysler V8. That's why I have one, Hemi on. Thanks Steph for another great review.

[@stephenricketts7764]

Ok I am probably bias as they were made in my home town. Secondly My late Nan built the dashboards for Jensen though I didn't find that out until after she passed away, would have loved to have talked to her about the work. This is a great example of a Jensen. I so love the V8 burble, sadly I have never been in one but have seen them at shows. People go on about the British car industry but Jensen were a fine example of what we could produce.Thanks Steph for another great review.👍👍

[@ant2312]

I think the centre console having all the switches is meant to resemble a fighter cockpit, especially with the car being called an Interceptor

[@julianlyons711]

As usual your reviews beat anything the mainstream broadcasters can offer ..brilliant …

[@neilbedford5082]

I remember seeing these on the road as a young lad - they had such a presence on the road. The four wheel drive version would be the one for a wet day, but was an even thirstier car - great film again - thanks Steph!

[@neilbedford5082]

I've a feeling that Cliff Richard had a pink one?....

[@brianwhittington5086]

There was a higher tuned version of the standard car too, the Interceptor SP. It stood for Six Pack /Power and had triple twin choke carbs, Webber's if memory is correct. Pretty sure they were very thirsty cars, with fuel consumption in the low teens per gallon at best. I read Sir Cliff owned an Interceptor, and may still have it. Not so sure about it being pink, I think the article I read said it was a Rosé wine colour with cream interior ?

[@neilbedford5082]

You're right Brian - I just looked online and found it was Dusty Springfield who had a pink one (very showbiz) - the old memory let me down again!

[@brianwhittington5086]

@@neilbedford5082 Ha ha, yes I'd forgotten Dusty had one but wasn't sure of a colour. They were a bit more exclusive than a Rolls and a lot of celebrities chose them. I think you could order it in whatever colour and trim of choice you wanted, and collect it from the factory too if memory serves. It's not so long ago I watched a video about one restored in Tangerine Orange, popular colour by all accounts. I've seen one up close in that colour, with black interior. I've done some minor repairs on one years ago, but only got to have a short drive around the shop/ compound. The one I remember the most used to park near my parents house in the mid 70's, it was a MK1, probably 6 year old with a non age suffix plate. Looking back now, I'm pretty sure the owner was secretly sneaking off to meet someone a few streets away. He always upset local kids and they got him back. Crammed both tailpipes full with windfall apples and it blew the rear exhausts to pieces on start up. To this day I can still picture it driving away and sounding like a WW2 tank 😆

[@neilbedford5082]

Haha - apples up the exhaust pipe - we did that to neighbours we had it in for too - Ah, the good old days.

[@gaufrid1956]

When I was a kid I loved the styling of the Jensen Interceptor! That rear window hatch is simply amazing! Combine that with the V8 and it's absolutely wonderful!

[@richardmills1733]

I always remember in 1969 Cliff Richard came to our school in Ware to give a religious talk to the 6th form driving an orange Jensen

[@shaunw9270]

Beautiful! I'm old enough to remember they were legends in their own lifetime ! Thanks for the ride 👍

[@jamesrichardson1901]

U.S. viewer here. Always loved the Interceptor and Land Rover Series I/II. Will probably never see either in real life, so thanks. Two of my faves back to back.

[@idriveaclassic]

Are landies not a thing over there?!

[@jamesrichardson1901]

​@@idriveaclassic Newer ones, yes. Range Rovers and Discoverys (Discoveries?) But the Defenders did not met U.S. specs. Some were imported once they passed a certain age under our weird regulations, but in one famous incident, the government seized and crushed a bunch that were brought in illegally.

[@michaeltutty1540]

​@@jamesrichardson1901 Defenders were sold in the US in the 60s and before. In fact, one of the paramedics had one on the TV show EMERGENCY!

[@Gerk8]

Thanks for the ride Steph!

[@OneSwitch]

The back of that car is absolutely stunning. The glass is a beautiful bit of art. Class.

[@martinclapton2724]

Certainly dressed for the car, Steph ! A good match , may I say. Wonderful car these Jensens. Takes me back when my father first started driving in his Morris Traveller, we pulled up in the garden centre , Roseacres near Hagley, Kidderminster. This Breinze Blue Interceptor pulled next to us . The gent got out to the shop leaving this absolutely gorgeous bottle blonde girlfriend/ wife in the car, I was drooling over her at 9-10 years old thinking they just walked off a ITN Lew Grade detective series from the 1960s ! Always loved the Jensen , always will . Great stuff again , keep them coming

[@TheClockwise770]

You were drooling over his wife, not the car

[@martinclapton2724]

@@TheClockwise770 both actually !

[@russcattell955i]

Four people in comfort & luggage, Mayfair to Monte Carlo. Easy peazy !

[@brenglover72]

My 40th present was an interceptor for a weekend. Fabulous- turned heads everywhere. Even motorcyclists nodded in acknowledgement.

[@alankirkby465]

I lived in Manchester, years ago, not far from Manchester United Manager, Matt Busby, I recall seeing Matt Busby, driving his Jensen Interceptor, around Fallowfield/ Chorlton, area of Manchester, in those days. Sorry for being boringly nostalgic. Anyway, Peace to all.

[@brianwhittington5086]

A series one Interceptor used to park for hours on our road, a couple of times a week in the mid 70s. The middle aged guy used to shout at the younger kids to clear off and not play football near it, then he'd disappear on foot somewhere. One evening there was an almighty bang, people came rushing out as it sounded like a bomb had exploded. The kids had crammed windfall crab apples into both exhaust silencer tailpipes. When he started and tried to rev up, it blew the rusty silencers apart at the seams, spraying apples, rust and sooty sound insulation everywhere. We never saw it parked on our road again !

[@ianashton1593]

Am old enough to remember these when they were new. There were two local to where I lived and I always thought they were great looking cars with real presence on the road. Sound they made was incredible too as not many V8’s on British roads. Great that the owner has kept the 8 track in place. Great review, really enjoyable.

[@gryfandjane]

Thanks for taking us along, Steph! I’ve always thought the Interceptor to be a very handsome car, and this is a lovely example.

[@alansimpson835]

I've always loved these. It looks like the performance is effortless, the styling is beautiful and it's called an Interceptor! Love the colour of this one too and another quality fashion match Steph

[@bri77uk1]

Nice video. Beautiful car with a great soundtrack. Always loved these! Carrozzeria is Italian for coachwork btw, pronounced kar-rot-tsa-ria ;-)

[@idriveaclassic]

Hahah thanks Brian! Italian isn’t my strong point x

[@AMStationEngineer]

Steph's reviews easily equal or surpass every automotive TV show, and/or video presentation out there, a task not easily done, even with the largest of budgets. I've viewed her work for more than a few years now, and hope that she "keeps 'em coming!"

[@paulmcfarlane6034]

Wonderful to see a review of any Jensen Intercepter, let alone an early model like this. I really appreciate the fact that you try to find some of the more overlooked cars to review rather than those certain models that seemingly everyone has reviewed. Can I suggest you consider some of the earlier Jensen models, Bristol cars or perhaps Jowett.

[@promerops]

Excellent suggestion. My maternal grandfather had a Jowett at one time.

[@Epsilon1Zeta]

The Jensen Interceptor still looks fantastic even now. An acquaintance of mine has one tucked away in his garage as his latest restoration project. Stunning looking British super-car. The one in this video is a lovely shade of red. I see that Van the owner is a fan of ALIEN as well! Plus it is always a pleasure to hear your voice Steph!

[@JRGRAY-33]

Interceptor West Bromwich's finest

[@davidmichaels8934]

Yes, could do with some quality interceptions from the West Bromwich Albion football team!

[@nickbitten9910]

Great video. Met an enthusiastic bloke with a blue one of these a few weeks ago. It had an 8-track in it as well. He was sooo enthusiastic and willing to chat for ages. I recall my father having some of these in his garage in the 1970's for servicing/ carb balancing. For a youngster back then that was awesome..Happy Days.

[@dazz400]

Lovely to see a review of the Jensen, beautiful car. Your looking well to Steph 👍🏻😀

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks Darren xx

[@zumwild]

Lovely review! The original door seals on these were 3 bladed to cut out wind noise. They have been out of production for a good 35 years! Also the power steering is speed sensitive, there shouldn't be that much assistance. Later US cars had extra assistance. The 4WD Jensen FF is the one to take on roundabouts!

[@bryanpalmer9660]

A superb car with one of the best names ever for a car-"Interceptor!"

[@drwho534]

Steph looking fab beside the fab looking Jensen!

[@robertdemeny251]

Absolute beautiful. Love the start up sequence. The car quivers when Steph revs it. Wonderful 😃

[@raypurchase801]

The best video about the Jensen since James Steed, Roger St.Hammond and Jason Clarkson made theirs.

[@mikewysko2268]

Beautiful car with one of Chryslers best engines. Enjoyed the review and test drive. Any hope of seeing a Bristol review and test drive in the future?

[@overcastfriday81]

This is the only review on the Interceptor I've seen where the presenter made an honest review. Everyone else is like, "this is rubbish. My late model aston could run circles around this and gets better mpg to boot". It's like dude, seriously?

[@lukefleming0607]

Lovely video as always Steph. So nice to see a classic from my local area. Currently living around 10 mins from the old Jensen Factory in West Bromwich.

[@lambphiiip]

Hi Steph great review, remember them for 2 reasons..the rich next door neighbour had one and my mom was an actual sewing machinist making the seats for this car in West Brom !! She was desperate for work, never used an industrial sewing machine in her life, blagged her way through an interview and a very kind co worker basically trained her on the job on the quiet - so apologies to anyone with dodgy stitching :-)

[@chrispenn715]

Love the interceptor! Always had a soft spot for them. Thanks

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Hi Steph - you’re looking well! That was a stunner of a car! Made in West Brom - and still utterly beautiful today!

[@briforks7681]

Beautiful car.I think I would have to buy a cravat and Italian loafers before it would think of starting for me.

[@salvulcano802]

Hey Steph! Great review and I would also like to say you are looking healthier than ever before ! Looking forward for more of your reviews !

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Beautiful looking car Steph,, excellent Review as always Steph.

[@coenvandenberg863]

one of the most beautiful cars ever produced...and by far the best name....jensen interceptor!

[@martinburke362]

First time i saw one of these was in about 1969 I was about 10 years old i was just coming out of school and it was coming up Bolton Rd in Bradford i can remember it like yesterday the jensen was silver and it was being tailed by a metallic grey DBS can you imagine what a sight that was in Bradford in 1969,its still a sight now!!

[@simonbarnwell7787]

My old boss worked at Jensen in the 70's , he told a tale of executive wet lunches and Golf course business deals , but little communication with those on the shop floor .

[@johnpoile1451]

Interceptor, the name can't be bettered.

[@fusionfan6883]

My Dad had one of the first Italian made Interceptors and it was awful, it leaked and had all sorts of problems such that Jensen eventually replaced it with a UK made one. Another problem with the early ones if I remember correctly, is that they didn't have a limited slip diff, and Dad ended up scrubbing tyres terribly on the winding mountain roads in Italy when we went back to visit relatives. In fact I think he needed to change a set there and it took ages for the right tyres to be sourced. As a young kid I of course remember the lovely growl of the engine, but as to the cabin noise, I rather suspect it is in part due to the age of the car you drove because I don't recall it being bad back in the day. Dad had some great cars but that was the best.

[@brianiswrong]

My parents owned a mk1 in black (TBA 99) during the 80's We went on a family drag racing trip to Sweden and back in it, me and my brother were told to call out any petrol stations we saw,and I think we visited most of them. Must have cost my mum and dad a fortune.

[@paulshearer9571]

Balls of steel rocketship....should have been a bond car

[@michaelstamper5604]

I love these beasties. One of these or an Aston DBS (the 60s/70s model, not the more recent version) would be on the shopping list if I won the lottery.

[@xxxxxxxx3476]

Me too . The DBS is I agree , a beautiful car . Such presence about it . Even parked it reminds me of a thoroughbred racehorse, just before the gates open and it's gone in a cloud of dust . Gorgeous car .

[@brianmcelvogue3370]

What a beautiful car, well done Steph

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you!

[@nervo6321]

Has a car ever had a better name ? ... great vid as usual i also noticed you match your look to the car reviewed 😁

[@johndavey72]

I had a '69 back in the mid 1980 's , foolishly l only kept it for 6 months but did make a tidy profit . Lovely cars and well described .

[@cfc1001001cfc]

£3,742 in 1966 would be £54,263.13 ($61,341.70 U.S.) in today's money...it's great that such a vehicle still made it out to the market and that this one got preserved for posterity. :)

[@cornishhh]

In 1966 you could buy a habitable house in Cornwall for £1,000. A low skilled full time job paid about £25 per week.

[@davidgibbings6085]

My uncle had one , metallic lime green one an that 7.1/2 litre went 150 mph. An awsome car Later many years later he offered it to me fr 3 grand but couldn’t afford it , needed work as well but quality car , just hope it got restored 👍

[@SAM-zt2uy]

What a car!! I managed to see what’s left of the factory a few years ago not sure if there’s anything left now.

[@idriveaclassic]

Was it good?!

[@brianwhittington5086]

Someone did a documentary about the demise of Jensen, and the various efforts to get the Interceptor back in production. It showed the derelict old factory on Kelvin Way, West Bromwich, the newer efforts at limited prodution, and another operation that bought all the body tools. Another company now completely rebuilds used Interceptor's to as new, with modern engines and parts. It could have been James May that did it, it's a few years ago that it was on TV.

[@martinda7446]

That B/C pillar window is beautiful. Man, oh, man I'm into that window!

[@truemuck]

One of my all time favorite British sports cars! Maybe a Bristol or a Reliant Scimitar in the future?

[@josephkowhai9820]

It seems very strange that such a sophisticated car doesn't have safety belts but of course the legal adoption of such measures took many years. Great review and tenakoe!

[@josephmifsud8261]

Beautiful car, love the colour and the engine noise is perfect

[@humayunmirza6835]

I think you’ve just become my personal hero.

[@idriveaclassic]

You’re too kind x

[@melisaunoi]

I don't want to drive one, I want to have one. This car is insane. It's like the British Citroën SM.

[@grayfool]

Loved them as a kid in the sixties and still really want one. A true great. Lucky you Steph, you got to drive this fabulous car.

[@volvo480]

An iconic car, I've never been in one so it's been great to watch this video. Though I think a certain Mr HubNut would cringe about the LHD wiper pattern 😂

[@idriveaclassic]

Oh 100% 😂😂😂

[@jodiethemorrisminortraveller]

Another great video 👍

[@carlharries6546]

I had a Mk 11 in the early 80's whilst posted in Germany with the Army. Fantastic car but it took most if my wages to put fuel in it. Eventually I sold it on as at the time having a few beers was far more important.

[@LindaSmith-td7mx]

Seen a 74 conv Interceptor not long ago at a car show here in Sedalia Mo. Us. so very cool talked for a good hour about it. Thanks for the great video

[@jonathanpardoe8722]

So much better , more useable , more style than the later Aston DBS ranges . I had 3 of these Mk1's , a manuel transmission, an FF and an ordinary Interceptor . I remember a trader friend importing a "Bricklin" and the thing simply was slaughtered by the Jensen .

[@guitarlover302]

Iconic cars - beautiful timeless design Such a pity about corrosion issues with them

[@manofthehour6856]

Whoa!! Quite the car!!! Always loved these!

[@nickygee2466]

So not the same as your Bond Minicar review then 😍

[@pauldavies6037]

That and the Jaguar E Type the best looking cars ever Steph lucky lady driving such a great car

[@2tone2thebone.]

Where has steph gone ???..am sure she used to present on this channel ! Looking fab girl 👍 😉

[@smitbar11]

Great video and review of a classic British muscle car! Only an Aston Martin V8 Vantage could surpass that! Watching the test drive I soon recognised the route, A614 to Doncaster, I regularly drive from Lowdham to Mansfield that way!

[@jonnycando]

The interceptor style is timeless, with minimal freshening you could sell them today!

[@PaulBriden]

This was interesting and had good depth. I was waiting for you to run through what all the switches do in the centre consul, a great shame you did not do this. It is no good giving detail and being informative on one hand, and then taking it away with the other. However, better than most reviews on the Interceptor, especially as very few people review the Mk 1.

[@michaelhalsall5684]

Still a gorgeous looking car - now very collectable!

[@drd6416]

This was,and still is one of my favourite cars ever.... shame I'll never own one. My dad's friend had one of the original chrysler engined ones... drank like an mo, but what a car! Not jealous at all Steph! I may be lying here!

[@daweshorizon]

Nice one Steph! One of my favourite cars of all time, along with the FF! Love and peace.

[@capeway07]

Great job Steph! This car is on my want list,was great to see it.

[@davidsanders8887]

13:08 - 13:20 what a glorious sound! Nice work Steph.

[@admiralcraddock464]

I remember after the first oil crisis of the early seventies you could get one of these for about £1500

[@robertsmith421]

I love your videos and certainly envious of the cars you get to drive