In 2018, I saw how well Simon and Jo's car performed on a road trip and of how much less they had to re-fuel compared to the rest of us on the trip. I asked Simon to write a small piece on his Jensen pursuit, of their super car and to share some photos. Below is from Simon and Jo.
GKM473N left the Jensen factory on 20 September 1974 as an Interceptor Mark III with a white body, black vinyl roof and red interior. It re-emerged some thirty-eight years later as an Interceptor “S” with a new registration – JEN56N – and a metallic purple body (matched to my favourite tie) with a cream interior.
My first Jensen experience was as a nineteen-year-old, lucky enough to get a lift to a summer vacation job in an Interceptor. It certainly livened up the 18-mile drive from Stratford-on-Avon to Evesham each morning, and so it was not a hard decision to put a deposit down in May 2008 to book production slot 24, out of a scheduled 50, with V-Eight at Cropredy Bridge.
Little did I appreciate the tortuous journey that was ahead of me, but it was worth the four year wait and the anxiety of the demise of V-Eight once Jensen International Automation delivered the amazing car I have today, in March 2012.
With its General Motors LS3, 6.2l, V8 engine producing 430 bhp, a GM 4-speed electronic automatic transmission, upgraded suspension and brakes it is for all intents and purposes a modern car in a 45 year old body, and a joy to drive.
Now 12,000 miles later the highlight of my driving has been a road trip to the USA in June 2018 along with three other Interceptors and a CV-8. 2,000 miles of untroubled motoring with some exceptional fellow Jensenites (see JOC magazine 261 for the full write up). What next I hear you ask? New Zealand beckons….
Simon & Jo Letts Interceptor S
Simon & Jo Letts Interceptor S
- Attachments
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- Passenger side view
- JEN56N_05.jpeg (172.57 KiB) Viewed 7173 times
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- Driver side view
- JEN56N_04.jpeg (161.19 KiB) Viewed 7173 times
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- Interior
- JEN56N_03.jpeg (97.54 KiB) Viewed 7173 times
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- Front view
- JEN56N_02.jpeg (175.18 KiB) Viewed 7173 times
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- Engine Bay
- JEN56N_01.jpeg (111.77 KiB) Viewed 7173 times
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- now normal...
- Posts: 4634
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:54 am
- Location: Spalding Lincolnshire
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Re: Simon & Jo Letts Interceptor S
It’s a great car to drive, it’s how Jensen should have been had the technology been available in the 60’s and 70’s.
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- 41B686CF-2EBF-4B10-8FEF-730DFF847B55.jpeg (201.1 KiB) Viewed 6907 times
Only working half a day now.
http://www.jensensontour.co.uk
http://www.jensensontour.co.uk
- Martin R
- Posts: 5955
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 11:04 pm
- Location: Chipping Norton, & Sydney Australia
Re: Simon & Jo Letts Interceptor S
During the USA trip, I have to admit I was a little jealous of Simon & Jo's fuel economy and, when my old air-con broke down in 100 degree F heat, jealous of their working air-con !!
Unflustered, reliable, comfortable & still cool looking, a great car
Unflustered, reliable, comfortable & still cool looking, a great car
FF MK1 119/100
Interceptor MK3 136/8514
JOC Member 8905
Interceptor MK3 136/8514
JOC Member 8905
Re: Simon & Jo Letts Interceptor S
It looked quite nice in front of my house with the other Interceptors. Not something you're lucky enough to see over here very often.
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- IMG_5487.jpg (325.94 KiB) Viewed 6885 times
CV8 MK1 104/2004
CV8 MK1 104/2035
Jensen Healey 1110/14162
CV8 MK1 104/2035
Jensen Healey 1110/14162
Re: Simon & Jo Letts Interceptor S
That would be awesome to have a line of Interceptors in front of your house.
I believe there are exactly two in Tucson, AZ, and one is “going in for paint” (as of 3 years ago!)
Rocky
I believe there are exactly two in Tucson, AZ, and one is “going in for paint” (as of 3 years ago!)
Rocky
‘71 TVR Vixen 2500 - (M Series Tribute)
'72 Interceptor III - 133/5597
'73 DeTomaso Pantera
'74 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-40
'95 Jaguar XJS Convertible
'72 Interceptor III - 133/5597
'73 DeTomaso Pantera
'74 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-40
'95 Jaguar XJS Convertible
- Martin R
- Posts: 5955
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 11:04 pm
- Location: Chipping Norton, & Sydney Australia
Re: Simon & Jo Letts Interceptor S
The others don't look too shabby eitherMike L wrote:It looked quite nice in front of my house with the other Interceptors. Not something you're lucky enough to see over here very often.
Great location for a photo shoot too
FF MK1 119/100
Interceptor MK3 136/8514
JOC Member 8905
Interceptor MK3 136/8514
JOC Member 8905
Re: Simon & Jo Letts Interceptor S
How excellent.
Love to see you and the car in NZ.
Love to see you and the car in NZ.
BMW M635csi (Dinan 3. & 1976 Interceptor Convertible
Re: Simon & Jo Letts Interceptor S
In North Carolina, June 2018:
Chris L
J-H Mk1 11327
GT 30305
Perth, Australia
J-H Mk1 11327
GT 30305
Perth, Australia