DO YOU REMEMBER – THE JENSEN-HEALEY?
By Andrew Roberts |
19th January, 2021
Some high-profile British cars struggle to transcend a negative image created by the problematic versions. The Hillman Imp falls into this category, as does the Austin Maxi and the Jensen-Healey. Yet it is often forgotten that the last-named was the best-selling vehicle to wear the Jensen name.
On paper, the Jensen-Healey made perfect sense. By the end of the 1960s, Donald Healey commenced work on an heir to the 3000, which ceased production in 1967. Furthermore, as James Elliott noted in Classic & Sports Car, in 1970 the Norwegian-American businessman Kjell Qvale ‘took control of Jensen and was instrumental in the creation of the Jensen Healey in a bid to replace the sales he would lose from the demise of the Austin-Healey’.
The new JH was to be a purposeful looking convertible and Jensen initially considered using Vauxhall’s 2.3-litre “Slant Four”, but this proved unsuitable in terms of power output. The firm evaluated Ford, Saab, BMW and even Porsche engines, but opted for Lotus’s 2-Litre alloy 16-valve DHOC unit combined with transmission from the Sunbeam Rapier H120.
The JH’s launch was delayed from the 1971 London Motor Show to early 1972 where the press greeted it with considerable interest. Motor found it ‘a sound, agreeable car with an exhilarating performance and response handling’ and Autocar cited the Jensen-Healey as a future classic. Motor Sport enjoyed the JH despite the noisy engine, styling that was ‘less than startling’, road holding that was ‘not quite in the Lotus Elan category’ – and the fact it ‘leaked like a sieve in those heavy July rains’.
In other words, the Jensen-Healey was a promising concept in need of further development. Unfortunately, the JH suffered from an engine that was not a model of reliability. Worse still, Qvale acquired them without a warranty from Lotus - and so issues such as oil leakages and slipping cambelts had to be rectified at Jensen’s expense.
The much-improved Mk. II made its bow in 1973, and it soon afterwards gained a five-speed gearbox, but motorists looking to graduate from their MGBs were already avoiding the Jensen-Healey. Car evaluated the second-generation model opposite the Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider and thought despite the ‘tremendous performance, strong roadholding and impressive handling’ the Jensen had too many faults. However, with additional refinement ‘It could be a very good car’.
The JH’s last significant development came in July 1975 with an estate version to rival the Reliant Scimitar. Production of the convertible ceased five months later and the new “Jensen GT” – they never wore a Healey suffix – was very well received by Road & Track. ‘This is a real hand-built car. It is not for women or perishing dilettantes. This is a man’s car, handcrafted in the old English tradition, making excuses to no one, and all the bureaucrats and libbers be damned’. You can almost hear the clash of medallions against chest-wigs.
In the event, just 509 GTs left the plant before Jensen ceased trading on Friday 21st May 1976. Today both models are highly sought after and respected for their considerable virtues. In his later years, Qvale reflected ‘I made some big mistakes at Jensen. I guess mistake number one was trying to make the Healey in the first place’. Owners on both sides of the Atlantic would probably disagree with that sentiment.
Why choose Lancaster Insurance?
Here at Lancaster, we love classic cars as much as you do and we understand what it takes to protect them for future generations.
We have links with some of the top classic car clubs around the country and some of our policies even offer discounts of up to 25% for club members.
Other benefits of classic car insurance through Lancaster can include:
- Historic rally cover
- Static show cover
- Limited mileage discounts
- Choice of repairer
- 24-hour claims helpline
Give your classic the protection it deserves and get a quote for your classic today.
Share this story, choose your platform
