Cars of Coolhaven

I have been on the look-out for a Jensen Interceptor for quite a while now. I am not quite sure why, probably just because the name sounds exciting and vintage. I have never watched the series The Saint, so that can’t be it A couple of months ago a Jensen passed me by on the Erasmus bridge, but I could not take pictures. Imagine my joy when I spot this Jensen GT, only one block away from Coolhaven!

In the early 1970′s two long established sports car firms decided to combine forces to build a new car, in 1972 the Jensen-Healey was born. Jensen had traditionally only built grand touring cars, with the Healey know-how the new Jensen-Healey was aimed directly at the small-sports car market, cars such as the MGB and Triumph TR6. All Jensen Healey and Jensen GT automobiles came equipped with the brand-new 2 litre, 16-valve Lotus built 907 engine. Home market and European destination cars had twin 40mm Dellorto carburetors while U.S. Federal destination cars came with twin Stromberg carburetors.

Jensen goes “up market” with the GT hardtop. Donald Healey departs Jensen Motors, hence the dropping of the “Healey” moniker. The Jensen GT has revamped badges to reflect this. Smooth, quiet, refined– the GT offers luxuriously appointed full, burl wood dash and factory installed air conditioning for all U.S. bound models. Sticker price in U.S. crests well over $11,000, astonishing the motoring public at that time. The ‘New Look’ paisley interior seat surfaces seen in a few cars are unforgetable. Unfortunately, the Jensen GT is rushed into production (resulting intensive labor costs burden the already overtaxed company) and even though Interceptor models shore up sales, time is running out for Jensen Motors. Wildcat strikes, continual parts shortages, inflation, a shaky financial footing, and bad economic conditions all contribute to closing the doors of Jensen Motors in May, 1976. Less than 500 Jensen GT’s have been build.