Hi Adam,
The Mk1 Interceptor is indeed a very impressive car and your particular car is a great example of the marque. This has not always been the case and if you read on, you will understand what I mean.
Jensen Interceptor Mk1 #115/2868
Ex Factory 28th May 1968
Original Colour/Trim Stratosphere Blue/Black
Engine No. 980/15C
Country of Delivery/Options UK/(1) Power-assisted steering
Registration Numbers
AQO 26J (NSW), MTK 403 (NSW), YKB 631 (ACT), IVI 606 (VIC), OBC 950F (UK)
Known Owners
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•Adam McLennan of 8 Horfield Crescent, Baghdad TAS 7030 (January 2013- )
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•Ian Roberts of Tamborine QLD 4270 (Sept 2004-January 2013)
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•Cameron Malcolm of Moorebank, Sydney NSW (2000-Sept 2004)
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•Damian Windsor of 328 Mitchell Road, Alexandria NSW 2015 ( -2000)
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•Graeme O’Dell of 17 Bunny Street, ACT 2611
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•Des Phillips of 54 Brookman Street, Torrens
ACT 2607 -
•Justin McCormack of ACT
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•David Cordy of Bendigo VIC
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•Adrian Joseph of VIC
115/2868 has had a very colourful history. It left the Jensen factory in 1968 painted Stratosphere Blue with Black leather upholstery. It was delivered new to the UK wearing the registration number of OBC 950F. Strangely, another Mk1 Interceptor #115/2878 is also known to have had this registration number from new. This is certainly nothing to be alarmed about as there were many funny discrepancies in those days.
2868 is an early Mk1 Interceptor with no C pillar vents – as most Interceptors have. This is quite a rare little attribute of this car. Few Mk1 Interceptors survive today – and even fewer early cars such as yours. Years of hardship and toil has certainly taken its’ toll. It must also be remembered that rust proofing of these impressive cars was most certainly not very effectively performed in those times.
Today, we have much more knowledge and technology to preserve Jensens in a way they never even experienced when new.
It is not known when 2868 was imported to Australia, but it was actively involved with the Jensen Car Club of Australia in the mid 1980’s under the ownership of Des Phillips in the ACT. It had already had a number of Australian owners before this, so one would have to assume that it has been on these shores since the 1970’s sometime.
Despite the fact that 2868 lived in a relatively dry climate in Australia, it had obviously suffered badly whilst in ‘the motherland’ and was quite clearly carrying around significant amounts of rust for much of its’ life.
When Des Phillips owned the car in the mid 1980’s, 2868 was Yellow, ran a 440 motor and was obviously needing significant body restoration. Interestingly, although being kept in the ACT, it ran VIC registration no. of IVI 606.
In the 1990’s, this car was languishing on the lawn of a house in Weston, Canberra (along with a Mk2 Interceptor too). 2868 was then owned by Graeme O’Dell who was a used car salesman in Canberra. At the time I saw the car, 2868 had a large tarpaulin ceremoniously dumped over it and it was certainly playing its part in the preservation of our natural flora and fauna. You see, the car was full of water, rust, mosquitoes and probably anything else that a Jensen should never have to ‘live with’.
Although it was now ‘officially’ red in colour, it had an amazing technicolour coat that would have put Joseph to shame.
The car was eventually sold to a hopeful enthusiast by the name of Damian Windsor. Damian was a RAAF pilot in Canberra and who was hoping to restore the car in his spare time. As you might guess, the car didn’t get restored – but who could blame him. It certainly was a ‘bottomless bucket of misery’. Damian was a club member for a few years and was very keen to begin with. I trust that the enormity of the task just became all too apparent over time.
In March 2000, 115/2868 was advertised in the Trading Post as follows:
Jensen Interceptor Mk1, body number 2868, 90% complete, suit restoration, $3500.
Subsequent inspection of the car was not encouraging. The water was gone, but the car had lots of rust and was now in a million pieces ... and incomplete. A definite candidate as a ‘parts car’.
The photos below will show you what I mean.
The car disappeared from the ‘Jensen scene’ for some time and many, I suppose, would have presumed it wrecked or sitting forlornly in a corner somewhere. I actually tried to track down Damian Windsor myself on a few occasions – but had no luck.
Anyway, fast forward to 2004-5 and the car had some SERIOUS restoration work and is now a beautiful example – certainly not the car it used to be
Now that you are the new owner of 2868, I hope that it is treated with the dignity it deserves and as a proud example of the beautiful Jensen Interceptor Mk1.
I hope that this summary has been helpful to you. Regards,
Stoo