1972' Jensen Healey

We are pleased to offer the very first RHD Jensen Healey for commissioned sale on behalf of the owner. In Jensen circles, this is a very well known car.

During the late 60s, the production run of Austin Healey 3000s were coming to an end – also manufactured by Jensen – and the main importer of these cars onto the West Coast of the USA was a gentleman named Kjell Qvale who decided to buy Jensen and make his own two-seater British built sports car mainly for the American market. He managed to bring Donald Healey out of retirement at the age of 70 to be the Chairman at Jensen. The brief for the new car had three major points.

It had to be faster than a Healey 3000
It had to handle better than a Healey 3000
It had to have a better level of refinement than a Healey 3000

The new Jensen Healey managed to hit every one of its targets. Powered by the new Lotus 907 2.0 litre engine and incorporating many suspension parts and brakes from the Vauxhall Firenza.

This car is the first RHD of the 9 prototypes built and widely understood to be the first one to move under its own power. It featured in many road test reports of the era all of which accompany the car today in one of the folders of history.

Previously used by the Export Sales Manager for Jensen, who used this car as a run-around when it was new, he then sold it to his uncle direct from the factory in 1972. Some 30 years later he happened to see this same car in a very poor state advertised on eBay. He bought the car and started on a mammoth restoration that started and stalled several times. The restoration was documented through a Classics Monthly magazine restoration guide over a few magazines, before stalling and missing some magazine deadlines. With the project back up and running again, the car was brought here to Pale Classics where we helped out on some jobs that were beyond the owner’s expertise. Upon completion it was presented for a MOT which it passed with no advisories. The owner used it for a year or so before passing it on to another Jensen collector within the club. The amount spent on the restoration of this car has been eye watering and far exceeds the current asking price.

The current owner has sorted all of the post 10 year restoration niggles. The Healey now presents today in its original colour scheme of Green with Black trim. The drive is surprisingly sporty and quick with great road holding for a car fast approaching 50 years old. The engine benefits from a modern Bosch electronic ignition system with everything else pretty much as it left the factory, albeit in fully working order!

Contrary to popular opinion, the Jensen Healey was the most produced model of any car that Jensen built. Between 1936 and 1976, Jensen built approximately 19,500 cars under their own name, the Jensen Healey accounted for 10,500 of those cars.

Prospective purchasers can contact Paul in the first instance.
We have ramp facilities available for viewings.