Jensen

Year of foundation 1931-2001

The history of the Jensen Motors automobile manufacturer is a fascinating journey through British engineering and design, with a touch of American power.

It all began in 1931, when brothers Richard and Alan Jensen took over W.J. Smith & Sons, a coachbuilding company. They began producing custom cars under the Jensen name, quickly becoming known for their ability to combine style and performance.

Among the most significant models in their history are:

Jensen S-type (1930s): The first car produced under the Jensen name. It was powered by Ford-sourced V8 engines and was produced in a limited edition, laying the foundation for the brand's reputation.

Jensen Interceptor (first series - 1950): A model that anticipated the name that would later become iconic. It was a sports coupé produced in limited numbers.

Jensen 541 (1950s): A sporty coupé distinguished by its fiberglass body, a cutting-edge material for the time.

Jensen C-V8 (1962-1966): Another grand tourer that continued the tradition of featuring powerful engines, in this case a Chrysler V8, which gave it remarkable performance.

Jensen Interceptor (second series - 1966-1976): This is undoubtedly the brand's most famous and iconic model. The design, by the Italian coachbuilder Vignale, combined European style with the power of an American V8 engine (often a Chrysler). Its most distinctive feature was the large "dome" rear window, which gave the car a unique and futuristic look for the time.

Among the versions of the Interceptor, the most innovative was the Jensen FF (Ferguson Formula), introduced in 1967. It was one of the first all-wheel drive road cars and, even more remarkably, the first to feature an anti-lock braking system (ABS) on a production car, an innovation decades ahead of its time.

Unfortunately, despite the success and innovation of the Interceptor, the oil crisis of the 1970s and financial problems led to the company's closure in 1976.

Over the next few years, there were several attempts to revive the brand, with limited production runs of new Interceptors and other models, but none succeeded in restoring Jensen to its former glory. The company finally closed in 2002.

Jensen remains in the hearts of enthusiasts as a manufacturer that created classic cars (as their favorites demand) with distinctive design and exceptional performance, a true blend of British elegance and the brute force of American engines.