1975 JENSEN INTERCEPTOR MKIII – ‘THE SAINT’ CAR

KEY FACTS

• This Jensen Interceptor is a superb example of the classic grand tourer, which starred alongside Simon Dutton in the 1980s TV series remake of ‘The Saint’, and has concours-winning provenance.
• It is powered by the 7.2-litre ’High Deck Big Block’ V8, coupled to a three-speed automatic transmission.
• In private ownership in the mid-1980s, the car was bought back by Jensen in 1986 and was upgraded to Series IV specification, as per the producers’ requests.
• After publicity photos were taken of the car with Simon Dutton, it was driven to Europe by Jensen’s John Page, where filming began on 23 May 1989.
• The car featured in all six feature-length episodes of LWT’s ‘The Saint’ aired on UK television between winter 1989 and summer 1990.
• After filming, it was loaned to journalist Tom Stevenson, and was also featured in the September 1989 issue of Vogue.
• This wonderful example is offered from cherished 30-year ownership.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• As per Series IV-specification, this Interceptor features a revised front spoiler, grille, headlight surrounds, steering wheel and badging, alongside an electric sunroof.
• Signed copies of the aforementioned publicity photographs will be included, along with various owner's club documents, evidence of the service history, video copies of the television series, a framed poster, and various letters from Jensen confirming the car’s authenticity.
• Its registration documents are signed by lead actor Simon Dutton, series producer Adam Kempton and motoring journalist Quentin Willson.
• Also included are copies of the 1975 Jensen Workshop manual supplied by the Jensen Car company, a copy of May 2021 Classic & Sports Car magazine featuring the Jensen on the cover (with an article on The Saint on pp.112-119), plus an indoor car cover.
• Six certificates and three trophies won at Jensen Owners' Club concours events will be supplied with the car.
• The Interceptor was featured on the Jensen Owners’ Club stand at the NEC Classic Car Show given its special TV provenance, where Quentin Willson gave a presentation of the car – and a photo of this is included with the memorabilia.

CONDITION

• No known bodywork damage.
• Its resprayed Brienz Blue paintwork is in excellent condition, with just a few minor imperfections on the bonnet, alongside some minor chips to the front wheel arches.
• The chrome bumper trim pieces and window surrounds feature a few light marks.
• Inside, its tan leather upholstery is in great shape, with just a few light creases and some light discolouration to the door cards and pull handles.
• No electrical faults have been detected.
• The most recent MOT test was on 23 January 2016 at 86,414 miles, which was a first-time pass with no advisories or defects. It is exempt from mandatory testing on the basis of age.

SERVICE HISTORY

• Other items with the 1980s upgrades included a new exhaust system, steering rack, radiator, battery, cooling fan, starter motor, bumpers, rear springs and a carburettor rebuild.
• Before being purchased by the vendor from the factory in 1990, it was refurbished once more, comprising a respray, re-chroming and re-connolising treatments, alongside the fitment of power steering, a new alternator and a centre console-mounted plaque.
• Much more recently, the bodywork was restored and rust was removed from the wheel arches and door bottoms in June 2018 at MDL Specialist Cars in Telford, at a cost of nearly £10,000.
• Its most recent scheduled maintenance was in September 2020 at around 87,000 miles, where technicians at Fairway Services in Rugeley performed a full service, replacing the antifreeze, top radiator hose, rotor arm, distributor cap, spark plugs, gearbox oil and ignition leads.
• In November 2020 at 87,288 miles, Fairway Services replaced the cooling fan and motor, the rocker cover gasket and the fuel pipes.
• Prior to this, in December 2016 at 86,673 miles, the brake callipers, servo unit and servo valve were replaced, while the spark plugs were cleaned and new inlet manifold gaskets were fitted.
• In July 2015 at 86,338 miles, Commercial Vehicle Services in Ashbourne sent the exhaust manifolds to be skimmed and repaired, before cleaning and re-fitting the rocker covers and gaskets, replacing leaking core plugs, and fitting a new fuel filler neck.

SUMMARY

This Jensen Interceptor MkIII is a storied example of the 1970s grand tourer, with interesting television provenance and which presents in wonderful condition with a significant amount of recent refurbishment and preventative maintenance. It has been exceptionally well-preserved, and would make a superb addition to any assembly of iconic classics. 

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All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.