History and Heritage
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FAMOUS JENSEN OWNERS
Ginger Baker’s Wild Jensen Days
Ginger Baker died in October 2019, at the ripe old age of 80. No one thought the wild-man of Rock would live that long – including Baker himself. We all know the expression ‘Sex, Drugs & Rock & Roll’, but one could counter this in Baker’s case, as ‘Jensens, Drugs & Rock & Roll’. With […]
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THEN & NOW FEATURE
Jensen FF Press Car 119/117 | Then & Now
Jensen FF, chassis 119/117, was acquired for the Museum collection in 2007. This famous Jensen FF press car had languished in a garage since the 1970s, and had never been restored. As such it is one of the most original Jensen FF cars surviving today. Now fifty years old, the Museum has assembled a photographic […]
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HISTORY FEATURE
Alfredo Vignale | Life & Times
The story of Vignale and his relationship with Jensen is understood well enough today. But, who was Alfredo Vignale, and what were the true circumstances of his death. Museum curator, Ulric Woodhams, has researched the life, and untimely death of Vignale. The true circumstances of his death are completely at odds with what is generally […]
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HISTORY FEATURE
FFF 100 | GKN’s Four-Wheel-Drive Titan
On a rainy day in September 1972, GKN’s Hemi-powered four-wheel-drive FFF 100 created an astounding new world record, when the car accelerated from a standing start, up to 100 mph, and back to rest in just 12.2. seconds – and that was in the rain. An incredible 8 seconds less than the world record at […]
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HISTORY FEATURE
Jensen GT | Jensen’s Last Hope
The Jensen GT was the last ditch attempt by Qvale to keep Jensen Motors in operation. The idea of a shooting brake Jensen Healey, with close to Interceptor levels of refinement had merit, but it wasn’t going to save the Company. Incredibly, just over 500 Jensen GT cars left the factory between September 1975, and […]
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HISTORY FEATURE
Jensen CV8 | From Drawing Board To Reality
By 1960, Jensen Motors were looking at a future replacement to the 541S. The replacement car would require a much more powerful engine to take over from the ageing Austin engine, and the new engine would require changes to the chassis. With plans a foot for a new centre tubed chassis, it seemed fitting to […]
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MUSEUM FEATURE
Vignale Interceptors | Tale Of Two Vignales
In September 2017, Laurent and Fabrice Michelin from France, purchased two Vignale manufactured Sincar Interceptors. The two cars were just three chassis numbers apart, 117/2603 and 117/2606. The two Interceptors were built by Vignale for sale in Europe by Sincar. This is the story of two Vignale made Sincar Interceptors, the Museum hopes that more […]
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HISTORY FEATURE
Jensen FF 119/029 | History & Mystery
Jensen FF 119/029 was originally sold to the merchant banker, Peter Samuel. By the early 1980s, the car had fallen into disrepair, and was believed to have been scrapped. When Museum curator, Ulric Woodhams, was told 119/029 was still in existence, there was concern this was a case of switched identity. The Museum unravels the […]
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HISTORY FEATURE
Jensen Convertible | Extreme Cold Testing Norway
In January 1975, Alan Vincent, Technical Director at Jensen Motors, accompanied with fellow Development man, Martyn Davies, left the gates of Jensen’s Kelvin Way factory in a Jensen Convertible. The two men would be heading to the coldest spot in Norway, the town of Tynset. Vincent tells the Museum about this remarkable adventure. While working […]
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FAMOUS JENSEN CARS
Benjamin Britten’s Jensen | Interceptor Chassis Number 84
It remains a little known fact that the famous British composer and conductor , Benjamin Britten, was smitten by the Jensen Interceptor. Obviously, we are talking here of the original Jensen Interceptor of the 1950s. Britten purchased his black Interceptor Cabriolet in June 1957, and it is believed kept the car until 1963. The Museum looks […]
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MUSEUM CARS
Jensen Interceptor Deluxe | 1954 London Motor Show Car
Jensen Interceptor Deluxe, chassis number 63, was completed in late summer 1954. The car had a specification of ivory paint with red vinyl roof and red trim. Once finished, the car was made ready for the 1954 London Motor Show, where it shared the Jensen stand with a new Jensen 541. The Museum looks at […]
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HISTORY FEATURE
Jensen Light Passenger Coach | 1948 – 1951
One of the many little known facts about Jensen Motors, is their foray into the world of bus and coach building. Between 1948 and 1951 the Company are thought to have made as few as ten bus and coach chassis, which were then built up with coachwork by independants. Former IT engineer, David Powell, has […]
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IMPORTANT JENSEN CARS
Vignale’s Second Interceptor | HEA 1D
HEA 1D was the second Interceptor finished by Vignale, a couple of months after BEA 693C, in August 1966. This famous car, shown at the 1966 Motor Show, survives today. The Museum looks at the history that is held on HEA 1D so far, and hopes that further information on this historic vehicle might be […]
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IMPORTANT JENSEN CARS
Jensen FF Chassis Number 119/003 | Harry Ferguson Research Car
Jensen FF number ‘3’ had been designated for Harry Ferguson Research. The first two FFs had been kept back by Jensen Motors as development cars for evaluation. Both Major Rolt, and Sheldon couldn’t wait to get their hands on an FF themselves, so they could evaluate the car. Tony Sheldon, the Company’s Managing Director, came […]
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FAMOUS JENSEN CARS
The Baron’s Jensen CV8 | Chassis 104/2303
The Baron, was a much-loved television series from the 1960s. To those that have watched the series, a grey Jensen CV8 stole the show, being used copiously throughout the series, by actor Steve Forrest. He played the part of John Mannering, the antiques dealer come spy. Bearing the number plate ‘BAR 1’, the oyster grey […]