The Jensen Owners' Club

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.

• 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.
More pictures to follow shortly.

The story continues in pictures:

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


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


Comfortable cockpit:


Engine bay looks brighter and creates massive interest at shows:


Luxury seating for 4 at 100mph


Rebuilt engine - final tuning:


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.

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!!!?

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

But just for you:

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 , wishing you well for your 541 ... I knew you had the soft spot for me ... the beer looks just as nice actually!!

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

A beautiful car Chris, well done.

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