Tim Clark's SP

[zacmarshall]

Tim is the club's Interceptor Variants Registrar and looks after the SPs, Coupés and Convertibles.

Tim has been mad on Jensens for years, a gene that was inherited from his dad who owned an SP, HCX 531L. Tim's dad also owns an Aston DBS, I remember Tim getting rather excited when a Bahama Yellow DBS passed us in Mulsanne, which I think made the owners day.

Tim had been looking for an SP for a while and back in 2002 was trying to buy PLA 85L, however the seller didn't seem that keen to actually sell. Tim had been speaking to Jason Lawrence of Rejen who came up trumps with a car local to Jason, NYC777L.

NYC had three owners prior to Tim, each of whom knew the previous owner.
The first owner was a Mr W.G Coles who bought the car in November 1972, there is a letter from Kevin Beattie of Jensen apologising for the issues with the car which had included the car braking down at 2am on Dartmoor when a month old. This was Mr Coles third Interceptor, in his letter he stated he didn't expect this amount of problems with a car of this price and he wished he had kept his Mark 2 Interceptor which had never given any trouble.
The factory did two complete strip downs and resprays due to rust, there were problems with staining of the paintwork, the dorr handles were replaced, the bumpers were replaced twice as where the wheels. At least the car came good!

Mr Coles sold the car on to Derwin Hope, who was General Secretary of the JOC. Derwin then sold the car on to a Mr R.L Davey also of Winchester.

The sills were replaced by Cropredy about 25 years ago, back in Andrew Edwards day, but other than that little body work has been required.


Tim enjoying the car driving into the International. Nic Cooper Photo.






That's Tim's Willys Jeep behind

After wanting to buy PLA 85L back in 2002, Tim finally bought the car in the summer of 2011.

[cannonball]

that looks a beauty, so which did you keep, and why did you want that one specifically in the first place

also looks like tim has given it the gun on that first pic

[Steve H]

Needs' a clean Tim, grotty engine bay lets it down

I've not seen this one for a few years - what a cracker...

[Mark1Stu]

Yep, lovely car. Mr Tim certainly knows how to prep a car!

[Trevithick]

That's got shine on the shine, well done.

[Keith]

Mr Coles sold the car on to Derwin Hope, who was General Secretary of the JOC.

I don't think Derwin was ever General Secretary!

[zacmarshall]

Mr Coles sold the car on to Derwin Hope, who was General Secretary of the JOC.

I don't think Derwin was ever General Secretary!

My mistake, Tim mentioned that Derwin had been the club's Legal Secretary, I wrongly noted this as General Secretary. Derwin was the the club's Legal Advisor back in the 90s.

[zacmarshall]

Another photo of NYC, Tim says this is a better representation of the colour



Tim's other SP was used in a group test in Classic Car Magazine, January / February 2013.

There is some mention of it here:
http://www.joc.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14554

Some photos of the day



You can begin to see a bit of a theme here - an SP being enjoyed

[Trevithick]

That's what they're for, good to see some driving shots. Superb looking cars.

[cannonball]

That's what they're for, good to see some driving shots. Superb looking cars.

Exactly. its one thing to like the look off a car and just polish it like an ornament. its another to really get in the groove and drive that car feel it, i always know when a car is right for me it almost becomes an extension off my body i can fit in it and feel everything the car is generating back to me, some just dont do that so i sell them a jensen is a car that can give a very rewarding feeling when you drive it,

[DPP]

2 beautiful looking cars Tim, nice to see them used as well as polished.

[Tim SP]

Thanks for the lovely comments chaps!
Indeed, NYC has become a bit of a museum exibit, to be honest 'he' has remained so original & in such great shape I feel guilty & a bit fearfull- I see myself as a custodian of these giants & responsible for the preservation etc.
However, it was pointed out this weekend, if that was a Hurricane you'd want to see it 'up' rather than collect dust in a hangar. Thats true.
'He' isnt keen on constantly being in doors either!
NYC drives as good too, that does not necc go hand in hand, the most minty example might not drive as such!
PLA is another beast, lived well & used all his life, never a car to find itself in hard times (lucky for any Jesnen) as Zac mentioned it lived in Monaco for years.
uncle colin painted it due to fade 20+ years ago, to see it bare with 100% of its factory panneling & lead is mega. (very like Grants convertible)
Pity the original six-pack wasn't sorted for the Classic Cars giant GT test-which we should see in next issue of our awesome 'jensen' but is sat on U.Daves bench ready to 'glue' on next week!

[zacmarshall]

I'd mentioned Monaco when I interviewed Tim on the phone but but forgot to include it in the write up

When I first joined the JOC at the ripe old age of 21 I was really impressed to read about a member that had bought an SP in Monaco and had a wonderful adventure driving the car back to the UK. The thing that sticks in my mind was the car overheating and the owner using some empty champagne bottles found in the boot to fill with water from a stream and top the car up. The looks from passers by must have been priceless

I must see if I can find a copy of the article and post it here

[facel]

both awesome but NYC particularly looks stunning, great story too. Being biased I like the red interior, so smart with navy paint.

reminds me to ask Tim again if he'll scrub up my car ! bugger of a job.

Martin

[Grant]

Thanks for the lovely comments chaps!
Indeed, NYC has become a bit of a museum exibit, to be honest 'he' has remained so original & in such great shape I feel guilty & a bit fearfull- I see myself as a custodian of these giants & responsible for the preservation etc.
However, it was pointed out this weekend, if that was a Hurricane you'd want to see it 'up' rather than collect dust in a hangar. Thats true.
'He' isnt keen on constantly being in doors either!
NYC drives as good too, that does not necc go hand in hand, the most minty example might not drive as such!
PLA is another beast, lived well & used all his life, never a car to find itself in hard times (lucky for any Jesnen) as Zac mentioned it lived in Monaco for years.
uncle colin painted it due to fade 20+ years ago, to see it bare with 100% of its factory panneling & lead is mega. (very like Grants convertible)
Pity the original six-pack wasn't sorted for the Classic Cars giant GT test-which we should see in next issue of our awesome 'jensen' but is sat on U.Daves bench ready to 'glue' on next week!

You must be a Proud Man Tim, if not "YOU OUGHT TO BE"
Hats Off to you sport