Used car buying guide: Jensen Interceptor

Almost every facet was adorned with varnished wood or luxurious leather, cradling the driver and up to three passenger in fine comfort. Air conditioning was available and, even more importantly, so were lighters for your next rothmans. 

The Interceptor was given a mild facelift in 1969 (gaining a bulkier dashboard) and then a more comprehensive one in 1971, when engine displacement was increased to 7.2 litres. This yielded marginal improvements to power output and top speed, although the real advance was in torque. 

As the 1960s faded into the 1970s and the economy started to tank, worsened by the oil crisis of 1973, the popularity of the Interceptor understandably declined, and this combined with the troubled launch of the vital new Jensen-Healey roadster resulted in Jensen entering liquidation. 

However, this doesn’t change the fact that the Interceptor was a groundbreaking piece of engineering, especially so in FF form. It was a car that showed what the British car industry could be: an innovative powerhouse with the ability to compete with the world’s best. 

No wonder there have been several efforts over the years to revive it in various ways - and why it’s now a highly desirable classic surrounded by a good support network. 

What we said then 

5 January 1967: “For a new model, the Interceptor feels fully mature and extremely well built. It is an eye-catcher everywhere and its looks are a clever combination of practicalities and an efficient shape. The performance is satisfying, with enough for any situation, and used with discretion in experienced hands the Interceptor is one of the safest forms of modern-day transport. At about 14mpg, fuel bills are high, but, judged against the pleasure the car gives, these costs are worth every penny.

An owner’s view

Kieron Maughan, rockstarcars.co.uk: “I own three Interceptors: a Mk1, a Mk2 and a Mk2 FF. The whole look of the car is Italian; the inside of a Mk1 feels like an Iso Grifo. You’ve got these lovely proper switches, beautiful big dials and the space. The earlier cars feel lighter and brighter inside, because the dashboard is further back – and more classically styled, too. 

“Having an understressed 6.3-litre engine means you turn it on and it purrs like a cat and it’s nice to drive from cold – unlike an old Ferrari or Lamborghini, which will need 10 minutes to warm up. It’s a very good alternative to anything that ends with an ‘i’, and it’s going to be more reliable. Over 25 years, I’ve had loads of troubles, but none of them have been a £100k engine rebuild. 

“Finding parts is dead easy, and the internet makes finding good specialists comparatively easy, too. Just make sure you buy the best you can afford – one that’s not rotten and full of filler.”

Things to watch out for

Engine: The Chrysler V8 is a hardy beast that can clock up enormous mileages. However, an Interceptor’s may have been reconditioned or indeed entirely replaced at some point. Condition is king, so check with the seller what has been done. The main problems can include overheating (check the cooling system carefully and the oil pressure), which can degrade surrounding tubes and pipes, and starting issues, especially from hot.

Check the fuel pressure via the fuel pump and all electrics, spark plugs and leads, as these can fail if the car hasn’t been used often. Bearings can rattle, too, especially on startup. Interceptors can get through exhausts, so check the condition of this too, preferably on a ramp. 

Transmission: The Chrysler Torqueflite automatic is known to rack up huge mileages with minimal maintenance and very few problems. Check that the colour of the oil in the gearbox is red and that there are no oil leaks. A rebuild could set you back as much as £1000. 

Body: Being a British car from the 1960s, the Interceptor can suffer terribly from corrosion. Be sure to inspect in particular the footwells, windscreen surround and wheel arches for rust, which can incur some serious repair bills if left untackled. For instance, even a simple bonnet replacement can cost around £1000. As such, previous restorers might have cut corners, so check the car all over for areas of cheap filler using a magnet.

Also worth knowing

No new Interceptor was the same as another. Jensen prided itself on its craftsmanship. This might seem appealing, but a major drawback is that replacement body parts often need to be hand-built to match the specific dimensions of your car. This makes restoring an Interceptor an expensive process, so when all is said and done, you would be unlikely to make a profit if you plan to sell it on. 

Jensen also introduced a soft-top convertible version of the Interceptor in 1974 and a coupé model in 1975. These are rare, with only 267 and 60 examples being built respectively from a total of 6408 Interceptors, and both lack that distinctively vast and curved rear window. The FF, 320 of which were made, is similarly rare.

How much to spend 

£10,000-£29,999: Good restoration projects with very few (if any) unpleasant surprises. Be prepared to spend at least £20,000 getting them roadworthy. 

£30,000-£69,999: Well-looked-after cars that are likely to have undergone lengthy restoration. Even so, there might still be rust patches. 

£70,000 and above: You will have no problem finding a near-minter here, and it will probably have undergone a top-quality restoration.

One we found