Jensen Interceptor

Paul Katsus is a Service Consultant for Centerpoint Energy based in Houston, Texas. Paul Katsus is not an expert on classic cars but he has done a lot of research on all types of muscle and classic cars. The Jensen Interceptor is a little known British car  produced by the Jensen Motors Company, that produced hand built cars with American V-8 engines. Jensen Motors used Chrysler V8 engines for the Interceptor, starting with the 383 cubic inch with four barrel carburetor. Most were produced with the Chrysler TorqueFlight automatic transmission but 22 were built with the optional 4 speed manual. Both came standard with a limited slip differential. in a conventional Salisbury rear axle. In 1970 the 383 c.i. produced 335 hp, but in 1971 the engine was detuned to run on regular gas and the horsepower dropped to 270 hp . So in 1971, Jensen chose to use the 440 cubic inch V-8.

For 1971, Jensen offered two 440 c.i. engines. The standard engine came with a 4-barrel carburetor and produced 305 hp . The optional engine was a 440 cubic inch engine sporting three 2-barrel carburetors and produced 330 hp. This engine was only offered in 1971 and was the most car Jensen ever produced. There were only 232 cars ever built with the 440 “Six Pack” making this one of the most collectable models ever made by Jensen.

Change came again in 1972,  when the 440 c.i. engine with three 2-barrel carburetors were no longer produced by Chrysler Corp.  Once again a high performance Chrysler V-8 engine was de-tuned. The 440 c.i. engine the detuned  440 was reduced to 280 hp. This horsepower reduction continued throughout the 1970’s as Chrysler continued to offer a high performance 440 c.i. engine, up to 1976 when it only produced 255 hp.

Combined with problems with its Jensen Healy sports car and a world-wide recession in 1975, the company had fallen on hard times. The Jensen Motors Company  was eventually  placed into receivership. The remaining collectable of cars and parts were used by build out the 1976 model year. The production of the Jensen Interceptor ended in 1976.Paul Katsus would hope that this automobile blend of American muscle and hand built British luxury will not be lost to history.