1976 Jensen GT

Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire 15000 - 17000 Registration No: MOH 717P Chassis No: 30500 MOT: Exempt � Former Jensen Owner's Club Concours d'Elegance winner 2 years in a row � Subject of a 7 page magazine feature in May 2001's edition of "Classic Cars" � Offered with original owner's handbook and maintenance schedule � Supplied and originally maintained by Mist's Garage of Birmingham � Benefits from an older restoration which involved a re-paint in Jaguar's "Dark Blue" Many people were dismayed at British Leyland's decision to axe the Austin-Healey 3000. Not least among them were Donald Healey - the man behind the name - and Kjell Qvale, who had done more than anybody to market British sports cars in the USA and who had enjoyed particular success with the 'Big Healey'. Adamant that the MGC was no substitute for the venerable Healey, Qvale - the son of a Norwegian sea captain - set about solving the problem himself. He discovered that the Healey family had been working on the prototype of an all new two-seater sports car and that Jensen (who had produced the bodies for the Healey 3000) was the obvious company to build it. Aston Martin DBS designer Bill Towns was commissioned to develop the styling and the Jensen-Healey was born. Power came from the 4-cylinder, 2-litre, twin-cam, Vauxhall-based Lotus 907 engine. The GT was produced from September 1975 to May 1976, when the factory was finally forced to close its doors after just 509 examples were produced. It features the GT's optional burr walnut facia and the 5-speed Getrag gearbox fitted to all the later Jensen-Healeys. More information to follow.