1958 Jensen 541 Deluxe belonging to Chris Gale.

Chris Gale's 541
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VFK44
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1958 Jensen 541 Deluxe belonging to Chris Gale.

Post by VFK44 »

great profile and drag co-efficient 0.38 I think without the design use of wind-tunnel.jpeg
great profile and drag co-efficient 0.38 I think without the design use of wind-tunnel.jpeg (319.43 KiB) Viewed 5383 times
Visitors to the JOC stand at the Excel Centre exhibition in February were captivated by Chris' strikingly red 541 Deluxe, the current holder of the JOC’s “Best in Class” Cup.

He bought this car in 2012 when it seems to have been stored in dry conditions for about 20 years. Once in Chris' hands, the car was soon a bare shell until all parts had been checked, replaced when necessary, repaired where possible and eventually re-assembled in a correct fashion while the engine was completely rebuilt and tuned. A new, Maserati-sourced, leather interior is enhanced by a non-standard wood dash. The Glass fibre body on a tubular steel chassis is in excellent condition.
DSC05007.JPG
DSC05007.JPG (163.12 KiB) Viewed 5383 times
  • This particular car was manufactured in 1958 to the new Deluxe specification which included all the optional extras as standard. This featured the latest Dunlop calliper disc brakes, as raced by Jaguars at Le Mans, on all wheels; the first British saloon car to be so equipped.
  • It uses an Austin 3993 cc, 6 cylinder engine with 4-speed manual gearbox with Laycock de Normanville overdrive. It sports 3 SU carburettors and twin s/s exhausts. The engine gives about 135 bhp at 3800 rpm plus oodles of torque and about 120mph.
  • The 541 has Independent front suspension with coil springs and wishbones and a Live rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs and Jaguar wire wheels.
  • 53 known examples of the 541 Deluxe model were manufactured between 1957 and 1959 out of a total of 226 541’s built.

Below are some of the highlights of the restoration process in Chris' hands.
The pictures that follow have captions that tell the story.
The cockpit before...
The cockpit before...
A few bits missing and wrong pedal rubbers.jpg (445.59 KiB) Viewed 5383 times
...and after.
...and after.
At last, a great looking wood dash-board and all the correct switches,jpg.jpeg (183.89 KiB) Viewed 5382 times
More pictures to follow shortly.
"Now that chassis number is particularly interesting ‘cos it’s the one after the one before, which is the one after mine, not many people know that"
Stephen, Epping, Essex
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VFK44
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Re: 1958 Jensen 541 Deluxe belonging to Chris Gale.

Post by VFK44 »

The story continues in pictures:

The original side vent is just an open hole. Chris thought it needed something more:
Image

Under the bonnet, the heat shield also got the special Gale touch:
Image

Comfortable cockpit:
Image

Engine bay looks brighter and creates massive interest at shows:
Image

Luxury seating for 4 at 100mph
Image

Rebuilt engine - final tuning:
Image

Chris tries to use the 541 as much as possible, but his long-term love is his Interceptor, which he has owned for many years.
"Now that chassis number is particularly interesting ‘cos it’s the one after the one before, which is the one after mine, not many people know that"
Stephen, Epping, Essex
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Grant
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Re: 1958 Jensen 541 Deluxe belonging to Chris Gale.

Post by Grant »

Lovely Car there Chris owns Stephen, he should be proud ... cant we quickly slip a couple of pics of interceptor in too without anyone knowing!!!? :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: 1958 Jensen 541 Deluxe belonging to Chris Gale.

Post by VFK44 »

Sacrilege! Although the Interceptor was my first love before I got a 541...

But just for you:
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Chorleywood Show, 2014
Chorleywood Show, 2014
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"Now that chassis number is particularly interesting ‘cos it’s the one after the one before, which is the one after mine, not many people know that"
Stephen, Epping, Essex
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Grant
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Re: 1958 Jensen 541 Deluxe belonging to Chris Gale.

Post by Grant »

VFK44 wrote:Sacrilege! Although the Interceptor was my first love before I got a 541...

But just for you:
Brilliant, many thanks Steve and being a 72 year probably High comp engine too .. they were the quick one's :shock: , wishing you well for your 541 :wink: ... I knew you had the soft spot for me ... :lol: :lol: the beer looks just as nice actually!! :P :wink:
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BernardT
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Re: 1958 Jensen 541 Deluxe belonging to Chris Gale.

Post by BernardT »

Good work Chris
The car looks great and well done to your engineers who helped you get the restoration done to such an amazing standard

BernardT
Bernard Tominey

541 OEA541 prototype 1st car to have disc brakes
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Kevan Elliott
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Re: 1958 Jensen 541 Deluxe belonging to Chris Gale.

Post by Kevan Elliott »

A beautiful car Chris, well done.
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Luke Caldwell
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Re: 1958 Jensen 541 Deluxe belonging to Chris Gale.

Post by Luke Caldwell »

NICE 541
would YOU BE ABLE TO PUT ME IN TOUCH WITH CHRIS WOULD BE INTERESTED IF HE HAS A DRAWING FOR THE HEAT SHEILD HE USED ON HIS 541
541 1956 Jensen / 1125803
Have 541 will travel :wink:
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