Many a heated argument has taken place over a pint and a cigarette as to what constitutes a vintage or a veteran car. For those of us that could be classed as the un-initiated, the motoring archive research service of the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu have confirmed that they use the following classification; Veteran cars are classified as any vehicle built before 31st December 1904. The Edwardian period is for vehicles built between 1st January 1905 and 31st December 1918. Vintage cars are the ‘youngsters’; these were built between 1st January 1919 and December 1930. However the definition as to what constitutes as a Classic car is somewhat looser. A Classic car is a classification that is linked to vehicles built from the 1950’s OR those cars that have attained a cult status or otherwise known as a popular classic.
It is fair to say that Jensen Motors could be described as the epitome in luxury car production, possibly more akin to the Porsche and Lotus than the Rolls Royce. Indeed, the Jensen has been likened to the world of motoring as Saville Row is to the world of tailoring. Unfortunately, this beautiful car is no longer in production.
The Jensen Brothers Begin Motor Production
Alan and Richard (known as Dick) Jensen were born in Birmingham. Both boys are reputed to have shown a passion for motor cars from an early age, spending countless hours playing with toy cars before eventually putting pen to paper and designing their own dream cars.
Jensen Motors Ltd. have been producing coach built cars since 1936, but their first car was produced almost a decade earlier. In 1928, whilst still learning the trade as apprentices, the Jensen brothers used a second hand Austin Seven chassis on which they built a sleek, racy body, perhaps the forerunner of the cars to come?
This racy model caught the eye of the chief engineer from the Standard Motor Company. The car so impressed the Standard Motor Company, that the brother’s idea was quickly ‘snapped up’ and the Avon Standard, as the car was to became known as went into production.
As previously mentioned, the Jensen brothers had moved into car production by 1936 with a design affectionately nick named ‘The White Lady’. The car was powered by a Ford 3.5 litre flathead V8 engine.
Jensen Motor Production Diversifies During WW2
1939 brought a revolutionary light alloy truck into production. The innovative tubular alloy chassis was both durable and rust resilient, but the outbreak of the second world war left car production at a relative stand still. The priority was the war effort. Like many manufacturing companies, Jenson Motors switched production, away from the motorcar, exhibiting their versatility producing ambulances, fire engines and, surprisingly, Sherman tanks!
Peace folowed the cessation of hostilities in 1945 allowing the company to return to car design and manufacture. The following year, the company unveiled a large saloon car. The Jensen PW was undeniably aimed at the luxury end of the market, but post war austerity meant that few were produced.
The Interceptor, a Name Synonymous With the Jensen Brand
The end of the decade saw the launch of a car bearing the name that most people associate with Jensen Motors… the Jensen Interceptor. The body was a light alloy, powered by an Austin 4 litre engine. This was a car that was to become the epitome of the luxury status symbol of a wealthy life style.
1954 brought another innovation to the motor industry. The Jensen 541 was in full production just a year after the prototype was unveiled with its revolutionary fibre glass body work, still powered by the Austin six, it was an elegantly designed four seater car, one of the first cars to roll off the production line with disc brakes on all four wheels.
Again, Jensen Motors hit the headlines with another first in the industry. The CV8 went into production in 1962, coming with the revolutionary disc brakes on all four wheels as well as a roaring 300+bhp 6 litre Chrysler engine, enough to challenge any other car to ‘burn rubber’ when the traffic police ‘weren’t looking’, perhaps it was fortunate to have arrived on the scene almost forty years before speed cameras!
Again, some fifteen years or so, too early for the ‘yuppy’, the Jensen Director, graced the show room floors in 1969. This model was marketed as the complete mobile office. Each car was supplied with a television, radiotelephone and typewriter already installed, laughable in comparison to today’s technology but this was a groundbreaking design for the dawn of the trendy seventies.
The Jensen Ceases Production
Unfortunately, in spite of stretching the frontiers in both design and elegance time after time, the fortunes of the Jensen Motor Company had been floundering for a number of years. Even the launch of the Jensen Healey in 1972 was not enough to stave off the loss of consumer confidence, which was initiated by the petrol crisis of the 1970’s and heightened as petrol prices subsequently spiralled out of control. The Healey was a stunning design, powered by a Lotus 16 valve engine; the car was stylish, powerful and exceptionally fast!
The company went into receivership in September 1975. Limited production of these beautiful cars was permitted while the receivers went about their task of assessing the company but Jensen Motors ceased trading in May 1976, bringing to an end to forty years of ground breaking design and beauty in the motor world.
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