The Jensen Interceptor is a V8 British Brute

[@rhspek]

Back in the '70s, still living at my parents, I had written to the Dutch importers for a brochure. Some days later the doorbell rang and my mother answered the door. She later told me there'd been a Jensen sales rep, asking if we'd requested a brochure. She wasn't aware but fortunately the rep left the brochure and today that brochure is still one of the highlights of my collection.

[@LostsTVandRadio]

Utterly cool - notwithstanding the large superheated greenhouse fitted to the rear!!

[@williamegler8771]

One of my grandparent's neighbors had one of these. She was the daughter of a local manufacturer of automotive parts for the American Big 3 and when he passed away she inherited a substantial fortune which allowed her to indulge in all her interests. She endowed a no-kill animal shelter She loved vehicles of all kinds and would buy and meticulously restore several that competed in the Great American Race and Concours d'Elegance. The Interceptor was her daily driver and as a child, I remember riding in it. I was sitting in the backseat under that huge glass bubble and sweating even though the air conditioning was going full blast and it wasn't that hot outside. I know it spent a lot of time on a flatbed being towed to the nearest dealer in Chicago which was almost a hundred miles away because it had almost endless electrical problems. When she passed away it sold at her estate sale for what didn't seem to be a lot of money for a low-mileage vehicle in excellent condition and was later exported to Switzerland

[@matthewadams4207]

My dad co-owned a car rental agency in San Francisco in the late 1970s. He would bring home regular old GM cars from the fleet but also occasionally random stuff. Once he brought home a Jensen Interceptor for a couple days. No idea how or why my dad managed to obtain it but my

[@andrewstones2921]

I can still remember the very first time I saw a Jensen Interceptor. I was a teenager and I saw one in a fuel station in Gloucester. I was with my mother who was driving a VW Beetle, the Jensen was a beautiful metallic brown ( yes there is such a thing) and it looked either brand new or just valeted but it was a sight to behold. A few years after that, aged about 20, I had the opportunity to buy one in fairly good condition except for a blown head gasket due to overheating, I turned it down and a few years later turned down another that was within my meager budget..they went through a cheap phase in the early 80s where few wanted such a big thirsty engine and of course we never knew they would be such a classic I the future.

[@grayfool]

An incredible car. The image alone was worth the cost. Probably the only car to match the muscular looks of rhe Aston DB range. The FF was an amazing thing indeed. I lusted after an Interceptor in the early seventies as a very impressionable teenager and, now, as a much, much older but still just as car nuts as ever, I still really, really want one. Oh well, best be off to buy another lottery ticket then. See ya.

[@samrobinson566]

When I was about 21, so late 90's, our local car dealer had a white, low mileage MkIII for sale. For £7000. My Dad is handy with a spanner, but the fact my insurance would have given me a coronary, and the sheer complexity of the damn thing, put me off. How I wish I could correct 21 year old me - imagine one of these as your first car! 😂 Cracking video as always Ed 👍🏻

[@simply_psi]

As a kid it was my favourite car when my friends all wanted Ferrari's, Lamboughini's, E-Types, Aston, I lusted after a Jensen Interceper, and I would buy one in a flash if I won the Lotto, I would also pair it with its older brother the CV8 which I like it's oddball looks. Thanks for the comprehensive overview it's brought back some greatbchildhood memories like the time when my dad's friend was restoring one for one if his wealthy clients and he took mynfod a spin in one, rhe noise and feeling of power when she squatted down and lifted he front end up and in a blink of an eye we were over the ton, so exciting.

[@busternineshoes]

I grew up in West Bromwich, home of the Interceptor,. Sitting outside the factory during school summer holidays, we would occassionally see one being taken for a test drive along Kelvin Way. Loved them back in the day and would still love to own one. An FF, obviously.

[@peterthwaites5891]

The Jensen Interceptor and FF have always been absolute wondrous cars to me.. In the very late 1960`s i remember going for a long weekend with my parents to London (i was 8 to 9 yrs old) from memory i can still see to this day looking down from the Route-master London bus and marveling at the sight of a gold Jensen FF being driven along side of us... WOW..

[@49commander]

I truly love your videos! It’s lovely to see young guys like you to have such a great appreciation for the vintage automobiles!

[@simonvancoevorden295]

I drove lots of these during my apprenticeship at Roger Clark cars . Cracking reliable car !

[@shankarbalan3813]

Truly these Jensens are wonderful cars.

[@johngrubb1590]

The Interceptor has just that something you cannot put your finger on, you just know it's fantastic. If Jensen was still going today, I think they would be using LS engines now and still sounding absolutely gorgeous.

[@toooldclassics]

Great thorough research as always. Well done. Jensen Interceptor is an amazing car and a rival to the XJ-S V12 back in the day.

[@Richardincancale]

Your videos are like a history of the cars owned by my late (rich) uncle - this one, a Bristol, Aston Martin, Bentley…. It was always a special treat when we drove up to see his family at Christmas in our less exotic Anglia or Cortina!

[@JP19-67]

Another great review Twin Cam. I always wanted a Jensen Interceptor but obviously could never afford one. So made myself a poor man's version, bought a Reliant Scimitar GTE and cut into the wings to replicate the side grilles using the front grille from a Nissan Micra. 😂 I thought it was the bees knees.

[@andyskelton7223]

Yes can see where you are coming from, Scimitar the poor man’s Jenson love them both.

[@warrenny]

Excellent video. I 100% agree about the name Interceptor. It is the coolest name, I once owned a Honda VFR Interceptor, and the name is what sold me on buying it. Learned a lot with this video. Never knew much about Jensen, though I did know about the Jensen Interceptor. It is one of my favorites.

[@veritasvincit2745]

I've always loved the Interceptor but then again I was born in West Bromwich in the 1960s. 🙂

[@PhD63]

Another great video Ed. I remember seeing these on occasion when I was a teenager in the 70’s. Hope you can do another one on the FF.

[@simonphillips5208]

What a great program. Thanks Ed. It's been a long time since I saw an Interceptor. Though, living in rural west Cornwall, not that many 'exotic' cars tend to be out and about on the lanes.

[@jh565bb]

I love these, they may have been a tad unreliable at times, but its just so cool. A true British classic.

[@21stcenturyozman20]

When I was a youngster the Interceptor was my automotive wet dream. Decades later a colleague used to park his Interceptor II next to my car at work, and even then it could get me pleasantly damp. I think it's sexier than the flying pen1s, a red E-Type.

[@plym1969]

Fantastic Ed as always. A real pleasure to watch. 🙂

[@simonbanks3112]

I really, REALLY want one of these! At any classic car event, next to the Interceptor(s) is where you'll find me!

[@roystonvehicles9129]

Great video, the cv8 was like 6 secs to 60,faster than mk2 jags and interceptor, mk1 interceptor had upper lever arm dampers (Austin) not double wishbone, the v8 had twice the tourqe of the jag 4.2, I ran one daily in conjunction with an e type and jag did near double on fuel, but interceptor was a real occasion, at high speed it was like a jet, totally stable at 120.

[@Snocone333]

my dad had a mark two when i was growing up. God i love and miss that car.... i think it got bought and sent back to europe in a private collection when he sold it...

[@davidhinkson8856]

One of my all time favorite cars - always loved the big bruiser look of it and in certain colors it really stands out.

[@arthurdardalis]

A dream car, fabulous looks, playboy to the South of France image, always wanted one, great video btw, the FF four wheel drive version is an icon

[@thatcheapguy525]

Ed, please please convince Manor Park Classics to let you drive these more exotic beasts. I want to see the look on your face. it'll probably be something like my own 40-odd years ago when I was in my youth and working on these machines when they went wrong.

[@davidpeters6536]

Great video Ed. Interceptor was a fabulous car by the sum of its parts; British engineering unspoiled by unions, Italian design and an big lazy US muscle car V8 engine. Sir Matt Busby drove one.

[@TheCrazyMoparDude68]

The first time I ever saw one of these was when I was a mechanic working in St. Louis, MO. It was a white model like this one and I had only heard of them because they were using Mopar engines. I actually didn’t realize what it was until the owner opened the hood and I saw the 440 in it. The owner was a really nice guy, and eventually became a customer of mine. I would do all of the general maintenance on it and was able to drive it a couple times. I would always tell him if he ever wanted to sell it, let me know and I would buy it. Lost track of him over the years and have no idea what ever happened to the car.

[@MyCarFilm]

Great video and as ever very well delivered, edited and researched. I agree re styling if only the roof line at the rear came down more steeply and then reshape the rear side window as looks like its from a caravan....but then not sure how the iconic rear window would work and then you probably end up with an Aston DBS..... Great car for drive to the pub but will probably cost more in fuel than the price of a pub lunch fir two.....at approx £8 per gallon and 10mpg......but still an icon and you never forget the first time you hear a 7.2L V8 Jenson start up....

[@mitchelmcgarry1718]

As an American this car always drew my interest. I this its the best of both worlds big power and a wild European design. I have always wondered why Chrysler was chosen as the power option. GM had great engines and most people seemed to favor them as they were more reliable and had an early version of electronic ignition and early fuel injection. None the less the interceptor is one of my favorite cars.

[@rogerrees9845]

Great documentary.... Great car.... What else can I say.... Yes great memories from a Great time... ( ok to many Greats but what an era ) .. Roger... Pembrokeshire UK

[@Drdee1]

Hi Ed, I mentioned this on Twitter (or Z ... or whatever we are calling it this week). When I was in my teens in Birmingham back in the 80s, the dentist who lived up the road had one of these in red as did the father of one of the lads at school. Neither owned an oil refinery, one of them was divorced

[@chaimshamza5850]

I never noticed how far back in the bay the v8 was. It looks like it could be a front mid? (Always loved these btw)

[@drevo50]

As a kid I had a model of this car (Dinky I think) and I loved it. A friend runs one as a classic car and it's wonderful! Makes me feel 8 again!

[@russellhammond4373]

This was my 'poster car' as an young one. Thanks for the review.

[@MrTrevithick]

Great video, you understand the charm of these cars. They are a fantastic thing to drive (if we’ll maintained) as well. I’ve owned 3 Interceptors, a Healey and I still own an SP. On the SP front, the SP is a very misunderstood car with a reputation for being trouble, but this is unjustified as my one has transported for many thousands of reliable miles including around Europe and to the supermarket. One small thing, the SP develops 385-395 bhp depending on year, there were only 232 made so if anyone wants one then grab one when you can.

[@maxnewts]

0:47 - “If you own a small oil refinery” 😂😂😂😂😂

[@colinmayes5892]

Not totally true

[@maxnewts]

@@colinmayes5892 I was quoting the video - BUT OKAY

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

An incredible looking Car, another excellent video Ed, thanks for making this video.

[@MePeterNicholls]

A late friend of mine had one “made” for him in the 80s (can’t recall the full story) and is one of perhaps very few 1986 D reg interceptors on the road. (Dark grey/black) if anyone knew him - Gareth Davies of Birmingham.

[@azza8249]

I done my apprenticeship on these things in the early 90s was a jensen specialist first car I worked on was a cv8 fully restored it and rebuilt many interceptors 541's Healey's Horton and Bateman classics down in kent the place is long gone now

[@lesklower7281]

You summed up the Jensen Intercepter very well

[@barryrathbone]

A Anglesey registration. Always loved these and the NSU R080

[@jetsons101]

What was the V8 used in the CV8???? The newer, for the time, 383 and 440 had to be two of the best Big-Blocks from Chrysler -- and the 340 (not the 360) is the best Small-Block they made. About ten years ago a neighbor a few blocks away had a Jensen Interceptor, what hid did to help the handling was add aluminum heads, intake and water pump and water pump housing. Ed, it may not be a pretty car but is sure is Awesome. Wish I had a FF...... Thanks to Ed for his time, work and posting.................

[@johntate5050]

Always one of my favourite cars. No car is more beautiful.

[@jeremyaustin9103]

Great video These sound amazing.

[@johnmull59]

Always liked them. Used to see two on my walk to school way back. Also good to know that this very thirsty machine is ULEZ compliant🤷

[@andrewpreston4127]

As someone said at the time.... "It'll pass everything, except a petrol station...".

[@leeandjancruise]

If I miraculously won the lottery as I don't do it then this is the car I would have built for me in calypso red, always admired these cars.

[@martinclapton2724]

Absolutely lovely , love the Interceptor, always did , always will. ❤ Yes the big old girl drinks a bit , but the point of theses cars is you can have effortless performance without revving the nuts off a highly strung and tuned specialised unit. What’s more, is whereas a Ferrari or other highly strung Italian temptress will cost you a second mortgage to rebuild , the Interceptor can be done for the cost of a Ferrari V12 timing chain service. Still one of the most distinctive looking cars ever designed regardless of price, country of origin or styling house . West Bromwich can be proud.

[@michaelhorner2722]

An excellent video.....as usual.

[@MarcosCodas]

Didn't know there were so few of these around! Aren't they beautiful?

[@2loudspeakers]

What a car! About 20 years ago, a friend and I pulled one out of a field and paid the farmer 1000 quid for it! What a car.

[@joeseeking3572]

Interesting timng - this very morning/afternoon is a large annual local car show - and there is usually a guy who brings out his early 70s Interceptor Mark III Coupe (with the 440). In orange no less. First timers never know what it is. Not common in the US, but I was always aware, in part b/c I had a corgi/matchbox of one as a 5 year old :) Later learned more about the manufacturer including the CV-8 (god, the styling) and the Volvo tie-in (god, the build quality). Later, with the convertible - by now quite retro - the resurrected company sold more as - I suppose - a competitor to, or at least reaching for the same class of buyer, as the Avanti II. Saw 1 or 2 of those as well, in a typical Vegas or West Palm settng. In this form, with the huge hatch, it is a chunky, handsome, but not beautiful car. Brando in on the Waterfront vs. DiCaprio of Titantic era.

[@markpaul1154]

Wonderful tale of Bradford in Yorkshire where a famous fire starter (someone who sets buildings alight for the insurance money) was fleeing the police in a jenson interceptor leaving them for dust only to crash head first in to a fire engine turning out to his fire.

[@ducatobeing]

In the area where I grew up in the late 60s, there was a chap who owned a local hosiery factory. He lived in a big house, that is now a legal practice. He owned a maroon Interceptor and would drive to the factory in it every day. A total journey of about eight hundred yards. That car must have been mechanically wrecked by the time he sold it. What a shame.

[@petergorm]

It's amazing how the first Jensen is far from pretty. But we all want it! The Interceptor is a true classic!

[@simmadpaul2880]

Best name for a car ever.

[@colinmayes5892]

Interesting, some facts wrong. Jensen was offered government funding in the seventies but refused, instead asking for the unions to be sorted out as these became a problem with the Healey production line. And the white Jensen in the video is a "J" series, which means it is a big block 7.2 ltr 440. The two engines that were in the interceptor was the V8 383 and V8 440. The SP also used the 440 and the FF used the 383

[@stephenthomas3085]

I WANT!!!!!!

[@stevieb9699]

A truly Super, Super car.

[@teardroptrailers]

@ 3:02 Looks like a Studebaker and a Citroën had a child.

[@Suprahampton]

The FF didn't 'just' have a longer bonnet, the entire front was longer & the wing edges are more squared around the headlights

[@TwinCam]

How would you lengthen a car’s bonnet without lengthening the whole front end?

[@Suprahampton]

@@TwinCam on the Interceptor you could quite feasibly cut into the front panel, weld to bonnet thus lengthening the bonnet but not increasing the overall length of the car. The FF was approx 5ins longer than the Interceptor.

[@reitsmaassociates]

Stunning car !

[@rhumesable]

Excellent video. Beautiful car. But there is no “Z” sound in the word Chrysler 😂

[@racketman2u]

I've never actually heard anyone pronounce it otherwise! krissler? kraissler? nah.

[@johnmarsh2078]

The second or possibly third best car built at Jensens. The best was the Sunbeam Tiger and maybe the second best was the Austin Healey 3000. I have a photograph of Tigers and A/H3000s being built side by side. Before that Jensen built the Volvo P1800.

[@roystonvehicles9129]

Yes, this guy seems to have missed that, they were in trouble after the healey and tiger finished, volvo went back to Sweden.

[@TwinCam]

I haven’t missed anything. This video is about the Interceptor, not Jensen’s downfall or about anything else they did.

[@roystonvehicles9129]

@@TwinCam OK bud.

[@johnvender]

I'm sure the 440 Chrysler is very economical as long as you only look at it and don't start it up :)

[@mikegalvin9801]

In the US literally no one cared about gas mileage until the Oct. 1973 Arab Oil Embargo which raised the price to an outrageous 50 cents a gallon!

[@Plattyboys]

I do hope you got to drive this :)

[@mikep4566]

So I'm guessing that in 1968 you could buy a Jensen FF, or an E Type plus a Mk2 for the wife and a mini for the eldest child for the same amount of cash. Having said that, when I win the lottery I'll grow a droopy moustache, buy an Interceptor and just drive around looking magnificent...

[@ray-wm7yd]

Medium sized oil refinery surely

[@JensenPlaysMC]

I am named after this car, i want to get one, one day

[@normanmcleod7169]

Out of interest, there is no recorded case of a transfer box on an Interceptor FF ever having failed ... remarkable !

[@benday1218]

Ginger Baker from Cream had 3 FF's.

[@roystonvehicles9129]

Crashed one in Africa as well.

[@roystonvehicles9129]

When he visited the factory they were warned that Mr Baker is exciteable (!)

[@markw4263]

A few years ago, I saw an Interceptor (probably 3), for sale in the US. It was 'reasonably" priced, but I declined (I was busy at the time). Did I dodge a bullet or miss a chance - who knows....?

[@WTU208]

Brett Sinclair (Roger Moore) drove one in The Persuaders.

[@roystonvehicles9129]

Sorry bud, no it was and Aston dbs

[@WTU208]

@@roystonvehicles9129 Must be the Mandela effect.

[@simonlunt353]

One car l would like but it would have to be the FF please 😊

[@timcarpenter2441]

This is like the British cousin of the Iso Grifo.

[@racketman2u]

Lovely looking, lovely sound, I really fancied one; until I drove it. rather vague steering and handling, and I realised I didn't really want to pilot an aircraft carrier; that's what it felt like.

[@simmadpaul2880]

Always though Jenson Button was named after this car but he was named after Erling Jenson a rally cross driver. A friend of his fathers. I guess the clue was there in the spelling of his name. DOH! 😊

[@MakerfieldConsort]

I understand that the rally driver's name is Jensen - the most common surname in his native Denmark - but that Button Sr. altered his son's spelling to differentiate from the car.

[@jonathandownes5637]

The Jensen CV8 II did 0-100 kmh in 6.7 seconds.

[@craigme2583]

Shame this was never a Bond vehicle. Would have stood out.

[@vbc2059]

The times long ago when UK did great things

[@rafthejaf8789]

A great car apart from that weird rear window that just doesn't fit with the overall design at all.

[@replay6896]

Bruiser!!

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

If you own a small oil refinery 😂

[@marcelhannover3]

Why don't you drive it ? 🤔

[@TwinCam]

I’d be happy to drive it if you’re covering insurance.

[@jasonhesson1030]

@@TwinCam Thanks for putting another of my requests on in a video Ed!❤💯👋 You've hit the sweet spot with this one!

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

A lovely looking car, but they rot terribly.

[@pgilb70]

pity, no drive

[@SsKaySs]

Front half (upto A pillar) & side mirrors look like a Peugeot 504

[@philipwatson8110]

One minor point the V8 engine is an American (Chrysler)

[@TwinCam]

I talk about that quite extensively in the video

[@philipwatson8110]

@@TwinCam Must have niss heard it sorry if it upset you

[@forfluf]

At least show 1, a still, anything, of the last of the v8 Interceptor a la Mad Max.

[@p.informatico1320]

It looks like a Ford Capri, isn't it?

[@annacomnena217]

Yes, it was modelled on the Capri and took many styling cues from it. Basically a Capri with a bigger engine and leather trim.