Int Mk3 S at CCA Auction PMC 190L

[Peter Rothery]

https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/ev ... ptor-iii-s

PMC 190L.jpg (139.77 KiB) Viewed 3410 times

[Peter Rothery]

Not just an "S" but a rare 138 series "SP" "S" with no reserve. Let the debate begin......

[PaulMcElhinney]

If anyone is seriously interested in this Interceptor I would suggest that they have someone competent check the various chassis number locations on the car ie inner tailgate, rear crossmember, door shells. Also I'd check the chassis tag on the front crossmember, does it look like an original Jensen factory chassis plate? Several years ago I was told my someone in the trade that the company who were building these Interceptor S vehicles had run into financial difficulty and had tarted up their demonstrator, NOW 700M, and put a new identity on it in order to sell it as a freshly restored car. A short time later up popped PMC 190L. Now if you check NOW 700M on the government website it shows as a blue Int III, MOT expired on 3.12.08. If a small fortune was spent restoring and upgrading this vehicle to Interceptor S spec in 2007 ish, where is it? Now it just so happens that PMC 190L's first MOT record is 29.12.08. This information tends to support the information that I received. So, if you're interested, check it out thoroughly, ensure that the chassis number for PMC 190L is stamped in all the places that you'd expect to find it.

[VFK44]

NOW 700M had a beige interior. Swapped?

[Peter Rothery]

I love a conspiracy theory as much as anyone and have no reason to doubt what has been said. I attach a few pics of NOW 700M from the international in 2008 plus a web image. It seems to illustrate a radically different interior, no louvred bonnet, no over-riders, different side grilles, front end treatment etc. I can believe that a few changes could be undertaken to make it appear that a product is more "popular" than reality may suggest....

101_0760.jpg (139.46 KiB) Viewed 3188 times

101_0759.jpg (115.11 KiB) Viewed 3188 times

now 700m 1.jpg (126.76 KiB) Viewed 3188 times

now 700m.jpg (140.38 KiB) Viewed 3188 times

[Series3Jensen]

Hi all

NOW 700 M was advertised for sale in Classic Cars March 2008 with a feature article for £74,950 by V8 Cropredy Bridge
An "S" in Dark Blue with Tan Interior - Redesigned Interior, LS2 Engine, 17" Wheels and DRiver and Passenger Door Mirrors
Not taxed since 30.11.2010
Last Logbook Issued 11.12.2007
Chassis No 136/8977
No record after this

PMC 190 L was advertised for sale in Classic & Sportscar January 2012 with a Photo for £69,995 by Cropredy Bridge Garage
Met Blue with an LS2 Engine - No 6066132070
Reported only 300 miles since rebuild
No information on this car before this date
Chassis No 138/8230

Not sure if this adds anything to this view

From the experience on my own car i had thought about checking the body coloured cast aluminium support to the front side lights
I was surprised when i removed mine from the car, they actually had the chassis number stamped into them for my car
Was this typical?

Kind regards

JIm Smith
Mem No 1639
136/8791 RJF 17 owned since September 1978

[Peter Rothery]

Indicator pods were all shaped to the car and numbered to the chassis accordingly.

Most cars have had a front valence change so the fit is a good indicator of the quality of the restoration. A mis matched number is not unusual and could result from accident damage, a sheared stud that couldn't be fixed easily...or the restorer just found another pod that fitted better. Often the number has been obliterated with multiple coats of paint over the years.

On the subject of NOW 700M, it could be sitting in a private collection somewhere or have been exported without the knowledge of DVLA?

[WIL]

I checked my 'pods' today, and, surprise surprise, they are both stamped with the original chassis number!

Wil

[PaulMcElhinney]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFRGY94v1UI

[Peter Rothery]

Good spot Paul. You could have had a job in the Police

This looks like NOW 700M with "alternative" number plates, a different rear number plate light and different steering wheel. Make of that what you will.

[Oxymoron]

I saw this car at the auction room today, whilst looking at another make of car.

It needs body restoration, as the rear arches and valance are bubbling up with a fair bit of rust. The body has other deep scratches to the paintwork too.

The engine was running whilst I was there, but the heater wouldn't blow hot air, so there was obviously an issue there too!

[Peter Rothery]

Disappointing to hear that the £100k investment is rusting away slowly but surely. There is certainly a lack of photos from CCA that many have become used to from other venues in recent times. The rating of 4 stars maybe isn't appropriate for the paint and bodywork for this one? Caveat emptor.

[Peter Rothery]

Sold provisionally at £36,500 but the auctioneer announced that the bidders could pull out afterwards once the auctioneer had explained the problem to the winning bidder. I have "Ringer" in my head but there is obviously something dodgy going on?

[mojo]

once the auctioneer had explained the problem to the winning bidder

That is really odd - so the auctioneer accepts that there is an undocumented problem with the car?

[Peter Rothery]

I have no idea what the problem was but obviously they did not want to abort the sale by publicly airing the issue. In light of Paul's suspicions, maybe someone found the real chassis number for the car which, assuming it wasn't stolen, might involve claiming a new log book from DVLA? Not a real SP perhaps?