Cars - Jensen Interceptor

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	Cars - Jensen Interceptor

The Jensen Interceptor was a sporting GT-class car built in the United Kingdom by Jensen between 1966 and 1976. The car broke with Jensen tradition by having a steel bodyshell instead of glass-reinforced plastic and by having the body designed by an outside firm, Touring of Italy, rather than the in-house staff. The early bodies were Italian-built, by Vignale, before production began in West Bromwich.

Jensen were one of the first manufacturers to equip a production car with four-wheel drive, in the shape of the 1967 Interceptor FF (Ferguson Formula). At the time it was hailed as a remarkable development, coming also with anti-lock brakes and traction control. The car was slightly longer than a 'standard' Interceptor, with the addition of two side vents on the front flanks. Press from the time quote "drag-strip" performance when describing the car.

Rarer still is the Coupe version, introduced in 1975, just a year before the company's demise. It could be said though this version detracted from the rakish, stylish looks of the GT. 45 examples left the production line.

The Interceptor was briefly re-introduced in the 1980s as the Series 4 (S4), as a low-volume 'specialist' motor car in much the same way Bristol continue to market and manufacture their cars. Though the body remained essentially the same, a newer, so called 'cleaner', engine was used and the interior slightly re-designed with the addition of 'sports' front seats as opposed to the armchair style of the earlier models.

It wasn't to be, however. The then owner sold up in 1988 to an engineering company believed to be in a stronger position to manufacture the car, and they did commence development work on a series 5 (S5) Interceptor which lasted until 1993, until once again receivers were called in.

A brand new Jensen, the SV8, was created in 2001. It was a two-seater sports model, around the size of a Porsche 911, and was priced at £40,000. Production ceased in 2002, with the company going bankrupt after only a handfull of cars were produced.

Jensen Interceptor in TV & movies

'Commander Straker' (Ed Bishop) drives an Interceptor in episode 'Confetti Check A-OK' of UFO (TV series), rather than his usual turbine-car.

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Cars - Jensen Interceptor

Jensen Interceptor in TV & movies

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