Jensen
Jensen Motors Limited is one of the very famous British carmakers of the past. The company had established itself as a renowned and reliable maker of quality vehicles, including commercial and sports cars. Jensen thrived during the middle of the 20th century, but its legacy would forever live on in the minds and hearts of car aficionados.
Jensen Motors was officially incorporated in 1934. The company was not a start-up then because the owners used the remnants of acquired WJ Smiths & Sons as a springboard and foundations for Jensen. The trade name Jensen was derived from the family name of brothers Richard and Alan, who founded the company.
During the late 1930s, the company diversified to produce commercial cars and car parts simultaneously. As a carmaker, Jensen made the Jen-Tug and luxury saloon Jensen PW. The most famous car model from Jensen has been the Interceptor, which the company built and marketed from 1950 to 1976, when Jensen packed its own things to quit the car industry.
As a car parts maker, Jensen was known as a producer of military vehicle components especially during World War II. Under the Jen-Tug trade name, the company also designed and made chassis that were utilised and integrated into several vehicles, including some buses and pantechnicons.
In its entire lifetime, Jensen was most known for its stylish and great-performing sports cars. Many race car operators chose several Jensen cars for their races. With the popularity of the Interceptor model, the car manufacturer was able to produce another hit model called the Jensen FF, with the letters FF standing for car race title Ferguson Formula.
Jensen takes the credit for being the inventor and pioneer in a driving system called ‘all wheel', which was then initially used in a wide production of its sports cars. The anti-lock braking mechanism was also devised and integrated by Jensen to its well-patronised and acclaimed sports cars.
Aside from its own projects, Jensen also entered into arrangements with other car assemblers. It collaborated with Ford, British Motor Corporation and even Volvo in the manufacture of the companies' respective special models. Overall, there were 11 car models that carried the Jensen trade name and logos, including the first car called the Jensen S-type and the last vehicle produced called the Jensen S-V8.
As a carmaker and one of the United Kingdom's former prides, Jensen set a standard within the British car industry. The cars made by the company were totally stylish and were of superior performance and engine capability. Jensen cars even got to enter the country's pop culture.
When the company decided to cease operations in 1976, it first entered into a deal with an investment firm, Britcar Holdings, to hold the rights for the Jensen trade name. Now, a couple of decades later, Jensen has yet to reappear on the market. Not one effort to revive the company, or even just the car brand name, has been instituted. Maybe it is better left that way because any company would definitely have a hard time emerging from the shadows of the giant car firm that Jensen once was.
Original Authors: Manny
Edit Update Authors: RPN
Updated On: 26/06/2007
