Jensen, the rather exclusive British brand was founded in 1934, but has had a checkered history since then, popping in and out of the Receiver’s Offices many times since then.
Jensen began with the two Jensen brothers, Alan and Richard, building special bodies for various UK makes such as Singer, Morris, Wolseley and Standard. In 1935 US actor Clark Gable got them to design a car using a Ford V8 flathead engine, the hot-rodders engine of choice in those days.
Jensen CV8
Clark Gable’s special evolved into the Jensen S-Type, and these were selling well, until Adolph’s bun fight in 1939 stopped production.
In 1946 commenced production again with the luxurious Jensen PW saloon. That was followed, from 1950 to 1957, by the popular Interceptor. These were followed by the 541 and the CV8, the latter using a Chrysler V8 engine instead of the in-line Austin 6.
Jensen also built bodies for Austin-Healey, and produced their own sports car – the unfortunate problem-prone Jensen-Healey.
At various times Jensen also produced bodies for Goldie Gardner’s record-breaking MG K3, the Volvo P1800, Sunbeam Alpine and a variety of trucks, buses and jeeps.
The company was taken over by the Norcross Group in 1959 and by US car distributor Kjell Qvale in 1970. In mid ’76 Jensen stopped trading, crippled by the Jensen-Healey’s dismal record of troubles.
Following this, Britcar Holdings got involved, but soon sold out to Ian Orford who put the Interceptor back into production as the Mk IV. Only 11 cars were made before the company was sold to Unicorn Holdings, which also produced just a handful of cars.
A striking two-seater cabrio, the Jensen S-V8, was launched at the 1998 British Motor Show, and 110 orders were placed. However, only 38 made it to the production line and of them, only 20 ever left the factory. The company went into administration in mid-2002. In 2010 SV Automotive had a go, followed by JIA and then CPP.
With that less than auspicious history Gregg Alvarez, who worked at the original firm as a young apprentice, and Steve Barby, both well acquainted with Jensen techniques are now doing ground-up restoration of old Jensens in a bid to keep the name alive.
Jensen Motors Ltd. has ambitious plans to produce eight examples of authentic Jensen models to celebrate 80 years of the marque this year. “We want to keep preserving and protecting Jensen cars as a prime example of British engineering and heritage,” he said. Unfortunately, that usually means it leaks oil on the floor and has a myriad of problems. However, there are many Jensen enthusiasts still around, so hopefully this time the Jensen name will continue.
