The Jensen Owners' Club

Alistair driving the car at the 2013 International. Nic Cooper's photo.

The car was sold new by Charles Follett Ltd, the London Jensen Dealer, in March 1960 to a Miss Barbara Marie Cheetham of Eaton Square, Belgravia

Alistair’s dad Dick dad brought the car in 1970 after returning from touring with the band Sounds Incorporated. A friend of his had one and Dick always liked them, after spending all day driving around South London / Kent, he passed three car showrooms on the way home late at night and spotted the R sitting at the back of the garage at J.P Brown car sales, Blackfen Road, Sidcup, Kent. He went back early the next day and purchased the car for £625 pounds.

During the 70's it was their everyday car, taking them on holiday to France and Spain as well as the UK. Dick was a founder member of the club, having membership number 100. Following Dick’s death in 2013 the membership number was transferred to Alistair.

During the 80's Dick had company cars so the 541R came off the road and sat in a cold wet garage for around 10 years. In 1989 she went up to Mike Byrne for a full restoration and in 1990 she had a new interior fitted. She also went up to Paul Boulton for front suspension work etc.

Many people in the club knew Dick and his wife Marjorie. People outside the club would be more likely to have known Dick as Wes Hunter, the bass guitarist from the 1960's band Sounds Incorporated. Dick worked with many famous artists including Little Richard, Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield,Gene Vincent, The Beatles,Joe Brown, plus loads of other bands from the 60's as well as Shakin Stevens... In Alistair's words Not bad for a guy from South London....

Alistair and his car will be on the JOC stand at this year’s NEC Classic Car Show.


Dick in his youth




A visit to the Houses of Parliament, 2003


Dick and Marjorie talking to Kermit at the 2002 International


In the concours at what I think was the 2005 International


In the concours at the 2006 International


Lord Strathcarron presenting the cup for the best 541 to Dick, 2006 Concours


Arriving at the 2007 International


At the 2007 International


In the rain, 2013 International

Thanks to David Newby, Nic Cooper and David and Jane Turnage for the photos.

I love Alastair's 541, the colour scheme is beautiful.

What can I say.. someone looking down would be so happy that this car has made it to car of the month.. Just need to get it on the front of the Jensen mag ..hint hint .lol. Thanks Zac, I am looking at these photo's with huge pride that mum and dad won over 15 major awards with this car and half a dozen at the smaller car shows around the southeast...Now I know what target I've got to try and beat. At the age of 5 this car came into our family and she is a huge part of it. I remember going to loads of J.O.C events as a nipper meeting all the founder members of this fantastic club,Its now over 25 years since this car was restored by Mike Byrne and a few other Jensen experts so I think it might be time for another make-over.. And can i just say Paul my name is Alistair..lol.

Alas I got it wrong.

A great car Alistair and one that is used as often as possible just like these cars were meant to.

Dave Turnage sent me this photo of Alistair's car at one of the first JOC meetings in the early 70s

Credit for the 1970s photo should go to Mike Byrne - any 541 owner with Mike's CD workshop manual will already have this and other period photos from the very early meetings. The venue for the above photo was Beaulieu.

cheers

Dave

zacmarshall wrote:Dave Turnage sent me this photo of Alistair's car at one of the first JOC meetings in the early 70s

Still not many people there then

Nice to see the 'old-girl' as U.D called it, still brought a tear though- I cant say how much he is missed, still havn't really come to terms with it.
I know he'd be thrilled that Ali is continuing the story.

I'm currently watching a fascinating programme on ABC TV in Australia called the "Beatles down under" and "Sounds Incorporated" are mentioned numerous times, including footage, all very interesting. No mention of Jensen though!