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Previous British sports activities vehicles and rust go collectively like Forrest and Jenny and in the present day’s Nice Price or No Dice Jensen GT isn’t any totally different. Let’s see if there’s sufficient of this uncommon journey left to make its value palatable.
No matter whether or not it’s a conventional British bomb or a automotive like yesterday’s 1990 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, there’s a sure inexorable draw to a small sports activities automotive with a straight-six engine. Our candidate convertible could have had extra miles underneath its belt than many people would have appreciated, however its situation and status as one of many final of the financial institution vault Benzes served to steadiness the space. Finally, its $7,500 asking value proved extra than simply palatable, incomes the Mercedes a sweeping 88 p.c Good Worth win.
Talking of British bombs, let’s pour out a 40… of Guinness, I suppose, for in the present day’s 1976 Jensen GT. It is a mannequin that died in one in all Jensen Motors’ many monetary crises after simply over 500 had been constructed. That makes it the rarest of Jensen’s junior league vehicles.
The GT’s story began inauspiciously sufficient with a cellphone name in 1970 from guide Donald Healey to American auto importer Kjell (pronounced ‘shell’) Qvale. Qvale lamented to Healey the lack of one in all his most worthwhile imports, the Austin Healey 3000. Donald Healey urged {that a} successor be created, and knowledgeable Qvale that the cottage carmaker, Jensen, was on the monetary ropes, making it ripe for the selecting. Healey’s concept was for Qvale to purchase Jensen’s manufacturing belongings and collectively they might construct an Austin Healey substitute.
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The result of that plan was the Jensen Healy, a handsome and thoroughly modern rendition of the traditional small sports car form factor. The model would slot under Jensen’s big gun Interceptor giving the company a solid lineup. Traditionally, small sports cars take some of their parts from more mundane cars. In the Jensen’s case, the Vauxhall Firenza served as a donor for steering and suspension bits. The engine, however, was a different matter. Qvale and Healey would tap Lotus for its brand-spanking new all-alloy 907 DOHC 2.0L-four. This would be the first production use of the 907, an engine that would go on to power all matter of Loti for years to come. In U.S. guise, the twin Zenith carbureted 16-valve engine managed 140 horsepower.
While Donald Healey and Kjell Qvale would have a falling out over Jensen’s direction causing the former to leave the partnership, machinations for the small Jensen’s future were already planned. What Qvale wanted was a more upscale car that would warrant a higher price and hence more profits. It couldn’t be as high in price as the bigger Interceptor, and in fact, the resulting GT shooting brake was intended to be a “Baby Interceptor” from the get-go.
The changes from the Jensen Healey included the enclosed bodywork, a 2+2 interior (with split fold-down back seats!), and a more luxurious dash featuring a lot of wood and leather over the convertible’s plastic and vinyl. The GT still uses the lovely Lotus mill, but adds a five-speed Getrag gearbox in place of the Jensen Healey’s four-speed. The later convertible cars received this update too, along with a name change to JH5.
This car is interesting because while it is offered as a project with rust invading both fenders and footwells, it is otherwise complete and, if the photos are to be believed, looks to be in remarkably good shape.
According to the ad, the car “Starts, runs and stops as it should,” and the seller deems its interior to be “better than average.” That rust is described as “severe” but the car comes with a spare front fender and the seller says you can drive the car while making the repairs. Naturally not at the same time, though. Additionally, the holes in the floorboards could allow you to run and stop the car with your feet, Fred Flintstone style, which could prove handy at times.
The title is clear and the car comes with a claimed 85,000 miles on the clock. What might a classic like this be worth in its present condition?
Now, I’m going to have to sit this one out as I am a bit biased being the owner of my own Jensen Healey project (albeit an earlier convertible), and am keen to see any car like this go for a pretty penny. This one asks for $4,500 in those pretty pennies and now I’d like your opinion on whether that feels like a deal.
What do you say? Is this Jensen GT worth that $4,500 asking? Or, is this just a rust bucket with a price that doesn’t carry water?
You decide!
Chicago, Illinois, Craigslist, or go here if the advert disappears.
H/T to Frank B for the hookup!
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