By the mid-1970s, Jensen had perfected its grand touring formula. The Interceptor III convertible, revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in 1974, was arguably the pinnacle of the marque’s efforts. It combined American V8 muscle with British craftsmanship in a package as rare as it was charismatic.
Only 267 examples of the Interceptor convertible were ever made. Most were destined for export – like this example, which returned to the UK in 1989. It’s among a handful of such cars still in circulation today.
Beneath that long bonnet resides Chrysler’s mighty 7.2-litre V8, which came paired with a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. This particular Interceptor will be up for sale via Iconic Auctioneers in early November.
Ready for a grand tour
By today’s standards, it’s almost comical that such a monstrous engine could only achieve 0-60mph in 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 126mph. In its day, however, the Jensen was considered a seriously fast car.
Despite tipping the scales at well over 1.7 tonnes, the Interceptor convertible was a genuine high-performance GT, capable of blasting across continents with ease. Fuel economy in the teens? Hey, you only live once…
A tubular chassis was shared with the fixed-head coupe, but the open version dialled up the glamour. Roof down, the lines of William Towns’ design looked even more dramatic, making this one of the most handsome cars of the 1970s.
Converted to right-hand drive
This example was built in 1974 and lived first in California before being repatriated to the UK in 1989. Conversion to right-hand drive followed, with a UK registration issued in February 1990.
Finished in Brienz Blue with delicate, contrasting silver and red coachlines, the interior features black leather seats with period sheepskin inserts that require some TLC.
The odometer reads just under 25,000 miles, although the car has seen just 4,000 miles of use in the past 18 years.Â
A V8 for hatchback money
The car comes with a detailed history file, including invoices, receipts, MOT certificates, the original handbook with convertible supplement, and even a workshop manual. These documents reinforce its provenance, while its rarity alone will appeal to collectors.
Estimated at between £28,000 and £32,000, the Jensen Interceptor III convertible will be offered by Iconic Auctioneers at the Classic Sale, taking place at the NEC Classic Motor Show on 8 November 2025.
For those seeking a blend of effortless performance and open-air style, few GT cars make a case quite like this one.
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