What on earth happened to… Jensen?

This is the first in a new series of features that try to answer what happened to car brands that have sadly disappeared from the automotive industry, and this week we’ll be focusing on the luxury sports car brand, Jensen. 

Why? Well, if you have been a loyal watcher of the BBC crime series Lynley, you will no doubt be delighted that one of the stars of the show is a Jenson Interceptor driven by lead character Thomas Lynley.  

And what a belter it is. With a beautiful metallic grey/blue paintwork and a sumptuous cream interior, it looks – and sounds – the business, and it is the perfect match for the enigmatic and rather posh DI Lynley and his sidekick DS Havers. 

Ask any classic car enthusiast to name a true British grand tourer, and chances are the Jensen Interceptor will roll off the tongue with a knowing smile. Big, bold, and unmistakably stylish, the Interceptor had presence in spades – and so it is no surprise that it was chosen to be a rather attention-seeking player in this excellent BBC series. 

But behind this glamorous TV cameo lies a fascinating - and at times turbulent - history. Jensen Motors, once one of Britain’s most intriguing automotive marques, is now a footnote in motoring history. So, what on earth happened to Jensen? 

The story of Jensen begins in the 1930s, when brothers Alan and Richard Jensen began building bespoke car bodies for other manufacturers under the banner of Jensen Motors Ltd, officially established in 1934 in West Bromwich. 

In those early years, Jensen earned a reputation for crafting stylish bodies on top of existing chassis from marques like Standard, Ford, and Wolseley. The Jensen brothers quickly demonstrated their flair for both engineering and design, and it wasn’t long before they began producing their own full vehicles. 

After WWII, Jensen gained recognition with models like the Jensen PW (Post-War) and the 541, the latter featuring advanced fibreglass bodywork and aerodynamic design - ahead of its time in many ways. 

However, it was in the 1960s that Jensen truly found its stride. The company made headlines by marrying sleek British coachwork with raw American V8 power, a combination that would become its signature. Enter the Jensen CV8, and more importantly, the car that would become synonymous with the brand: the Jensen Interceptor.

Launched in 1966, the Interceptor was a revelation. Styled by Carrozzeria Touring of Italy (though built in the UK), it was a large, elegant GT that exuded sophistication. Under the bonnet? A thumping Chrysler V8 - either a 6.3L or later a 7.2L - delivering effortless cruising power and a distinctive growl. 

The Interceptor's standout feature, of course, was its dramatic wraparound rear window, which doubled as a hatchback - practicality with panache. 

More than just a grand tourer, the Interceptor was also an innovator. Jensen produced a four-wheel-drive version - the FF (Ferguson Formula) - that featured an early form of ABS and AWD. It beat the Audi Quattro to market by over a decade, but high costs and complexity kept it from mass success. 

Still, in its heyday, the Interceptor attracted a loyal following. It was the kind of car driven by someone who could have had an Aston or a Jag but wanted something just a little different -more exclusive, more individual. 

Despite producing some of the most desirable British GTs of the 1960s and ’70s, Jensen Motors struggled behind the scenes. The company was small and lacked the financial muscle of larger competitors. The oil crisis of the 1970s hit hard - big V8-powered cars were suddenly out of favour, and sales began to slide. 

In 1976, after several changes of ownership and ongoing financial difficulties, Jensen Motors closed its doors, bringing the original chapter to a close. 

But that wasn’t quite the end of the story. Over the years, several attempts were made to revive the Jensen name. In the 1980s, a small number of Interceptors were refurbished and updated under the name Jensen International Automotive (JIA). These so-called “restomods” modernised the classic GT with contemporary running gear and luxury appointments - appealing to those who loved the classic look but wanted modern reliability. 

Then in 2001 came another attempt: the Jensen S-V8. Backed by the UK government, the plan was to build a new convertible sports car powered by a Ford V8. Production was plagued by delays and quality issues, and only a handful were completed before the company went into administration again. 

Despite these efforts, none captured the magic -or success - of the original Interceptor. 

In many ways, Jensen’s story mirrors that of other small British marques of the 20th century -brimming with innovation, character, and passion, but ultimately undone by the harsh realities of scale, economics, and changing tastes. 

Yet the legacy lives on. The Interceptor remains one of the most beloved British classics of its time, cherished by collectors and enthusiasts alike. Whether spotted at a classic car meet or quietly prowling the roads, it still turns heads - just as it did when it first roared to life in the 1960s.