Jensen Interceptor (foreground); Jensen FF (background)
The March issue of my Wheel People newsletter profiled an example of brand loyalty that any carmaker might envy. Here’s the story, including larger and additional photos.
Mike Lotwis broke a 35-year streak last year when he purchased his company car, a Chevy Impala. Up until then, he had been a one-brand man, owning nine models from a single carmaker: England’s defunct Jensen. He’s owned five variants of the brand’s most famous car, the Chrysler-powered Interceptor.
Lotwis recently thinned his fleet, keeping only the 1975 Interceptor convertible shown above. I was fortunate enough to have driven it – along with his 1974 Interceptor saloon (not “Coupe” – that was a separate model). Though it weighed over 4,000 pounds, the Interceptor handled like a lighter car, thanks to stout chassis construction and near-50/50 weight distribution.
That drive was 21 years ago, when I was writing a Jensen story for Mopar Action magazine. Lotwis’s convertible had just returned from a restoration and major mechanical upgrade by Jensen Service and Parts in England. It still looks remarkably fresh today. You might catch a glimpse of him touring around North Jersey with his 12-year-old daughter in the passenger seat. And he still takes the car to club track events. (Photo below.)
Lotwis became captivated by the Interceptor in the 1970s while helping to maintain his college roommate’s 1971 model. He bought that car after graduation, and, a few weeks later, drove it in a 1,000-mile road rally. Immersing himself in all things Jensen, Lotwis started a Jensen club and became a tech support source for other owners. He bought up dealers’ parts stocks when the company ended production in 1976 and still has some inventory.
Mixed Parentage
Made from 1966-1976, the mostly hand-built Jensen Interceptor was an Italian-styled, Chrysler-powered, British-built luxury GT. Traditional Brit luxury included Connolly hides and Wilton carpeting. Jensen also boasted a custom coachbuilder pedigree going back to the 1930s.
The company built some 6,400 Interceptors and its variants. Official U.S. importation began in 1970. In 1972, a Series III Interceptor with its Chrysler 440 high-performance V8 retailed for $14,000 — about twice the price of a Cadillac Eldorado.
The convertible arrived in 1974; Jensen built just under 500. In all, fewer than 2,500 Interceptors came to the U.S., according to Lotwis.
An Interceptor variant not officially imported to the States (it was right-hand-drive only) was the FF. Lotwis owned the second-to-last of 315 built (photo, below). Introduced in 1966, the FF was the world’s first production car with full-time four-wheel drive (OK, limited-production). “FF” stood for Ferguson Formula, the car’s pioneering four-wheel drive system. A groundbreaking car, the FF also featured aircraft-derived anti-skid brakes – yes, in 1966!
Jensen FF (1966-1971) was first production car with 4WD and anti-lock brakes.
Lotwis owned another rare Interceptor model, the SP – one of the 13 with left-hand drive, out of 232 built (photo, below) “SP” signified Chrysler’s 440 Six Pack engine (high-performance, three two-barrel carburetors.)
Jensen SP was an Interceptor with the Chrysler 440 Six Pack engine.
Want One?
Interceptors remain quite accessible. I found a few cars on eBay, ranging from a couple thousand dollars for a “restorable” car to $17,000 for one needing “complete detailing.” Interceptor specialist K&D Enterprises in Snohomish, Wash. is offering a restored convertible for a less accessible $90,000.
Jensen Interceptor, as shown in 1974 factory brochure.
