Lot Ended
Description
From a deceased estate; current owner 42 years; lightly restored in
1989; only 49,800 miles indicated; always garaged; a very smart example for
recommissioning following six years in storage
A heady mix of
American muscle, Italian flair and British craftsmanship, the Interceptor just
oozed jet set glamour and was an immediate hit with Sixties high society. A
natural rival to the Aston Martin V8, it was equally rare, equally expensive,
better made and marginally more potent to boot, making it perhaps the classic
car bargain of the modern age.
Unveiled at the
1966 Earls Court Motor Show, it was styled by Touring of Milan with some subtle
tweaks by Vignale (who also made the first bodies) and was initially powered by
a 6,276cc Chrysler V8 driving the rear wheels through a TorqueFlite automatic
transmission which promised near supercar performance.
The MkII cars came out in 1969 and featured many detail
improvements including uprated front suspension and brakes, different front-end
styling and a more modern dashboard. Power was also up slightly to 330bhp and
425lb/ft of torque. The last model of the line was the MkIII which came out in
1971 with an even plusher interior, central locking, improved dual-circuit
brakes, new GKN alloy wheels and a bigger 7.2-litre engine.
Only 5,620 Interceptors were made in total (plus 320 FF AWD models)
and only around 600 are still road registered in the UK today so it is still an
occasion to see one pass by.
Built in October
1973, this Interceptor III is a last-of-the-line J-Series model, one of 735 made
in RHD, which incorporates all the subtle improvements made to the model over
its 10-year lifespan. Finished in
Havana Brown with a Magnolia hide interior, green Sundym glass and air
conditioning, it was first registered in Coventry as OVC 430M, becoming GXI 1111
in 1991, a transferable number which is included with the car.
It has been in the current ownership since
1981, although the owner, a long-standing member of the Jensen Owner’s Club, put
it into his wife’s name in 1987, the V5 recording 5 former
keepers.
In 1989 it was treated to a
sympathetic restoration, as detailed in invoices and photos on file. This
included: new inner and outer sills; new stainless steel sill finishers; new
bumpers; new door handles; wheels refurbished; new door and boot rubbers; new
vinyl roof covering; seats cleaned and Connollised; new carpets plus various
other items.
An online MOT history check shows
that the last MOT was issued in January 2017 at 49,615 miles with just one minor
advisory (n/s/f lower suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated). It has
only covered 250 miles since, the odometer currently showing 49,866 miles which
is believed to be correct.
On offer here from
a deceased estate, it has always been kept garaged in the current 42-year
ownership and only lightly used, mainly to attend local shows and JOC
events.
Off the road since 2017 and
currently on SORN, it was treated to a new battery and some fresh fuel shortly
before the auction and ran sweetly when we fired it up on site,
although it will need a good service and some precautionary recommissioning
before any long journeys are undertaken.
It
comes with sundry useful spares including three GKN alloy wheels, a spare
bumper, stainless steel exhaust tail pipes, starter motor, floor mats etc. The
original owner’s handbook is present, along with two factory workshop manuals,
parts catalogues, period sales brochures, a large number of JOC magazines and a
JOC tie and key fob.
As you
can see in the photos, it looks smart and solid, both inside and out, with nice
shiny paintwork. On offer here at a very modest guide price, it now only needs
an enthusiastic new owner who can get it back on the road where it
belongs.
For more information contact James
on 07970 309907 or email [email protected]