1964 Jensen C-V8 Coupe

Description

Developed by Jensen's new deputy chief engineer Kevin Beattie, the C-V8 answered criticism that the Austin-powered 541 Series was becoming underpowered compared with the opposition and, like the glamorous Facel-Vega, the new Jensen was designed around Chrysler's mighty 5.9-litre V8, with a parallel-tube frame beefed up to cope with the American unit's prodigious (305 horsepower) output. A more aggressive body shape was penned by Eric Neale, with distinctive touches like the angled quad headlamps and 'spears' above the front and rear wheelarches and was completed in fibreglass, with alloy-skinned doors. The interior was a modern affair, the padded formica-faced dash faced well stocked with instruments, including a large speedometer, electric tacho and four supplementary gauges in the removable centre panel. The new model debuted at the 1962 Earls Court Motor Show to widespread acclaim but just twelve months later a revised Mark II version was unveiled, boasting numerous small improvements. Mechanically the early Mark II cars remained unchanged but from chassis '2119' onwards Chrysler's larger 383-cid V8 was adopted, normally with the superb Torqueflite transmission although a few were made in manual guise. Apart from tidying up some of the body detailing, the biggest change on the Mark II was fitment of adjustable Selectaride rear dampers, with the driver having a choice of four settings via a control mounted on the transmission tunnel. Including the final Mark III derivative, just over 500 C-V8s were produced by Jensen between 1962 and 1966, of which 250 were Mark IIs. Often overshadowed by its better known successor, the Interceptor, the C-V8 offers greater rarity and a unique Sixties charm, combining American muscle with traditional British craftsmanship. Few cars of the era have the same head-turning ability as a C-V8, fewer still can match the performance levels and with only a handful still on the road in Australia, the chances of meeting another in traffic are next to none.