Jensen Interceptor Restoration
Discussion
This is intended to be the story of my Jensen Interceptor III restoration. Currently showing 49,900 miles, and although in the photos it does appear to be rotten it's actually surprisingly very solid. There is rot in all of the usual places, the sills and valances mainly, however, all of the inner arches, rear quarters, floor pans etc are completely solid. Unfortunately, the previous owner had a garage fire and the front end (as per the pics), was near it which has led to the near side front wing, lower valance and front end panel needing replacement.
The plan is to restore it to original factory specification. Original colour all the way down to the Dunlop SP Sport tyres. The engine was rebuilt back in the late 80s early 90s apparently and has only done 3,000 miles since the rebuild however, the engine along with gearbox and all the ancillaries will be coming out at some point for closer inspection and any remedial work required will be done.
Even though its been of the road since 1989 it still sits perfectly and the panel gaps are spot on.
Both the inner and outer valences will need replacing, as well as a little bit of work is required to the tailgate.
The interior is in very good original condition with a lovely, lovely smell. There's a few cigarette burns in the centre console panel but that can easily be replaced.
The original steering wheel will be staying.
The plan is to restore it to original factory specification. Original colour all the way down to the Dunlop SP Sport tyres. The engine was rebuilt back in the late 80s early 90s apparently and has only done 3,000 miles since the rebuild however, the engine along with gearbox and all the ancillaries will be coming out at some point for closer inspection and any remedial work required will be done.
Even though its been of the road since 1989 it still sits perfectly and the panel gaps are spot on.
Both the inner and outer valences will need replacing, as well as a little bit of work is required to the tailgate.
The interior is in very good original condition with a lovely, lovely smell. There's a few cigarette burns in the centre console panel but that can easily be replaced.
The original steering wheel will be staying.
Edited by Arcnewal on Saturday 28th January 22:13
One of my Flying Instructors in the RAF was restoring an SP, I went with him down to the factory in '88 to collect it after an engine-bay re-wire and it was like stepping back in time to a white-overalled period of the '50s, great experience
Always loved these, shame I never got a go in Breadvan's Mk II before he sold it
Always loved these, shame I never got a go in Breadvan's Mk II before he sold it
LewG said:
The cigarette burns almost add provenance, you can just imagine a 70s playboy with some big flares floating along in it with a cigar on the go 
Impressionist Mike Yarwood purchased it new in January, 1975. He was a heavy cigarette smoke so the burns could well be from him, who knows...
Edited by Arcnewal on Saturday 28th January 21:15
Arcnewal said:
I was thinking that, I am debating to keep the console insert as the burns are obviously there for a reason - what that reason is I don't know but it came with the car and it would be a shame not to use it. The first owner was a famous impressionist from the 70s, Mike Yarwood and I have read in a book that he was a heavy cigar smoker so maybe they could be from him, who knows...
Mike Yarwood was compulsory viewing at my Grans house, back in the '70s - in fame terms, he would be the equivalent of "Ant & Dec" (whoever they are.. 
) these days. If he just had the one, there's a mention here, from a previous owner? In case you've not seen it - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=2&a...Thanks for bringing that to my attention Mark. Yarwood had two Interceptors. He purchased his first one in early 1971 and sold it shortly afterwards due to purchasing a new Silver Shadow. Sadly his first one was scrapped a number of years ago, only the chassis ID plate exists now.
Edited by Arcnewal on Saturday 28th January 21:22
Pleasure, love to see Jensens being restored,wish I had the time & knowledge to save one. I think its quite common for celeb owners to have owned more than one, Jensen were quite savvy at the whole product placement thing. I guess that may go back to the Saint Volvo & seeing how the James Bond link worked for Aston. It may be the celebs benefited in other ways, too . Best of luck with it, looking forward to the finished article!
. Best of luck with it, looking forward to the finished article!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff