Cars & Coffee at Morgenhof Estate 10 April 2022
April 8, 2022
A Unique Offering From Wales
July 27, 2022
Words: Wilhelm Lutjeharms
Pictures: Simon Luckhoff
Launched at the 1966 London Motor Show, the Jensen FF (Ferguson Formula) was the first performance car to offer all-wheel drive. One of only 320 made, it presents a rare opportunity to acquire such a special car.
Turn the small key in the ignition slot in the middle of the fascia and the starter motor turns a few times. Then the engines catches and there is an immediate deep burble from the two exhaust pipes – it is only a large capacity V8 that sounds like that.
The company was already founded in 1934 by Alan and Richard Jensen – Jensen Motors Limited and the cars were fitted with powerful American V8 engines. Designing the first performance car to offer all-wheel drive was no small task, and by 1965 at the London Motor Show a prototype version was shown of the car that would eventually be revealed the following year.
The four-wheel drive system was further developed and then incorporated in the FF. Although complex, the aim was to improve roadholding during tricky weather conditions, but also in terms of road holding during sporty driving.
The easiest way to distinguish an Interceptor from the later FF is the additional vent (now a total of two) behind the front wheelarch. Also note, the car is just under 8 centimetres longer. It is when you lift the engine lid that you can see how far back the engine is mounted in the engine bay, while you can also quite clearly see the drive shafts leading to the front wheels.
With the cabin re-upholstered little over a decade ago, the leather is in a very good condition while the cabin is one of comfort. The centre facia is littered with switches, which is quite pleasing to use, flicking them up or down. To your left is the gearlever with a button on the top, press it in and simply move the lever to the D position.
Under the hood is the 6 276 cm3 V8 Chrysler engine producing a claimed 242 kW at a relaxed 4 600 rpm and 576 Nm at 2 800 rpm. This engine’s delivery is all about the abundance of torque through the three-speed torque converter transmission.
Behind the wheel:
Tested by Autocar magazine in the UK in 1968, the FF achieved a 0-97 km/h acceleration time of 8.4 seconds, before hitting 160 km/h in 22.5 seconds. Taking into account the car tips the scales at just under 1.8 tonnes, it is immediately evident that it is aimed at fast, long distance road driving – a true grand tourer.
Heading through Cape Town’s beautiful neighbourhoods, every gentle throttle input is accommodated but a welcoming burst of acceleration, and that wonderful burble from the exhaust pipes always in attendance.
There was a moment on confusion when climbing onboard and spotting the “clutch” pedal, only to test it and realise that it activates the bright and dim function of the lights.
The Stratosphere Blue exterior hue together with the red leather interior do give a luxurious contrast, while the view over the long bonnet never leaves you in doubt as to the type of car you are piloting. Turn around and look through the rear window, or when standing outside, and that shaped window is undoubtedly one of the most interesting design elements of these cars.
Unique provenance:
There is a thick folder accommodating the sale of this car. Here you will find tonnes of invoices and correspondence as well as probably the most important and interesting book if you are a Jensen enthusiast. Called The Jensen FF – 320 Short Stories, it encapsulates several owners and their and their car’s stories. Written by Ulric Woodhams, this is a very rare (and expensive) book, while much of the correspondence in this car’s folder is by the author, while he was doing research for this car.
It is in this book where you will find a couple of pages dedicated to this car, chassis number 119/083, when it was in the hands of its first owner, Mr Harry Oppenheimer. It was delivered in November 1968 in London to the Oppenheimer’s residence. As is appropriate after such a purchase, Harry and his wife Bridget toured the French Riviera with the car. It is written that the couple still talked fondly about this trip for years after. In 1977 they shipped the car to South Africa. Here Oppenheimer’s CEO, Anthony Trahar bought it and kept it in his collection until 2007. Another enthusiast then owned it until 2010 when the late enthusiast George Shipway bought it. Now its current owner is putting it on the market.
There are some significant memorabilia included in the sale. To start with, this includes a further two books by Mike Taylor (Jensen Interceptor) and Keith Anderson (Jensen). There is also a large painting of this very car, expertly done by Leon Hoffmann. The folder further contains registrations papers as well as service and maintenance records.
This purchase offers a prime chance to acquire a very important piece of British automotive history. It is a stylish and powerful GT that is unlike any other car on the road. Although there is extensive work to be done on the car, the new owner will have the option to do some of this work piece by piece, or enjoy the journey of doing a full restoration – the option will be theirs. We have a full condition report recently carried out by Webb & Sons with an informative breakdown and estimated costs depending on the desired outcome. We have factored these costs in on determining a fair market value for this unique Jensen FF.
Harry Oppenheimers Car.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO AQUIRE A RARE PIECE OF AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY
Launched at the 1966 London Motor Show, the Jensen FF (Ferguson Formula) was the first performance car to offer all-wheel drive. One of only 320 made, it presents a rare opportunity to acquire such a special car.
Turn the small key in the ignition slot in the middle of the fascia and the starter motor turns a few times. Then the engines catches and there is an immediate deep burble from the two exhaust pipes – it is only a large capacity V8 that sounds like that.
The company was already founded in 1934 by Alan and Richard Jensen – Jensen Motors Limited and the cars were fitted with powerful American V8 engines. Designing the first performance car to offer all-wheel drive was no small task, and by 1965 at the London Motor Show a prototype version was shown of the car that would eventually be revealed the following year.
The four-wheel drive system was further developed and then incorporated in the FF. Although complex, the aim was to improve roadholding during tricky weather conditions, but also in terms of road holding during sporty driving.
The easiest way to distinguish an Interceptor from the later FF is the additional vent (now a total of two) behind the front wheelarch. Also note, the car is just under 8 centimetres longer. It is when you lift the engine lid that you can see how far back the engine is mounted in the engine bay, while you can also quite clearly see the drive shafts leading to the front wheels.
With the cabin re-upholstered little over a decade ago, the leather is in a very good condition while the cabin is one of comfort. The centre facia is littered with switches, which is quite pleasing to use, flicking them up or down. To your left is the gearlever with a button on the top, press it in and simply move the lever to the D position.
Under the hood is the 6 276 cm3 V8 Chrysler engine producing a claimed 242 kW at a relaxed 4 600 rpm and 576 Nm at 2 800 rpm. This engine’s delivery is all about the abundance of torque through the three-speed torque converter transmission.
Harry Oppenheimers Car.