Author: Doug Pennington

Congratulations to Michael Eder and his rare 71 Jensen Interceptor! Your car is our pick for Car of the Week. It is said that there are only 317 left as of 2021. Here is a little info from Mike on the thought process and work that went into building this car. October 1969, Jensen Motors Ltd introduces the first Interceptor Mk II upon an unsuspecting world, proving that an Italian designer, a British coachbuilder, and a big American powerplant could coalesce with elegance, grace and performance. In 2013, it drifted its’ way back into the limelight as a feature car in the 6th episode of the Fast and Furious franchise. Many believed that this was the swansong for the luxurious grand touring roustabout. But they were mistaken. For in the fall of 2019, exactly 50 years after we first got our first glimpse of the MK II, some 4,000 miles away from the its birthplace, The Jensen Interceptor MK II 50th Anniversary Special Edition burst into life. A one-of-a-kind hand-built tribute show car designed to reflect how Jensen might have built a 50th Anniversary edition of their iconic Interceptor had they not met with their untimely demise in 1976. Preserved are the original graceful lines and superb proportions embellished with all of the current technological advances of the 21st century: a fuel injected computer controlled 6 litre powerplant unleashing 490 horsepower into the 6-speed automatic transmission capable of breathtakingly raucous acceleration and refined cruising at a civilized 25 mpg. There is proximity control, advanced security system, keyless ignition and a power lift rear boot. Individually controlled power dampers now control the fresh air flow into the cabin and an overhead console now adorns the interior. Six-way power leather bucket seats are affixed around a custom leather center console constructed with walnut burl accents that flow up and across the entire dash. The iconic 5-inch tachometer and speedometer remain beneath a sculpted dash cap while the analogue gauges are replaced by hidden digital readouts that snap to life at a touch of the “Start” button. Gone is the vintage 8-track player, replaced by a 7-inch touch screen DVD/CD/Navigation/Back-up camera/Bluetooth entertainment system with 8 one-inch full range drivers in the headliner to deliver true discrete stereo imaging to both front passengers along with rear speakers and a boot mounted sub-woofer. The exterior has been stripped of the garish slabs of stainless steel and chrome bumpers that were the rage in the 1970’s but sadly out-of-place in a 21st century rendering. LED Halo daytime running lights and fog lights now mate with the front headlamps to improve visibility in the front while side turn signal lights have been added to the front wing vents and a third brake light has also been fixed. Indirect backlighting has been provided to the front wing vents, rear JENSEN badges and the rear license plate. The custom formed steel front ground effects and rear spoiler help hold new 17 inch alloy wheels sporting Pirelli tires to the pavement while the stainless steel split tip exhaust ports announce your arrival.