A forgotten classic car - Jensen CV8 Coupe

I've always had a soft spot for the lovely Jensen CV8, a forgotten classic car, you might say. With a striking headlamp configuration, the Jensen was a classy car that looked at you in a mischievous way rather than with the mean, or happy face of other automobiles - believe it or not, manufacturers do take the vehicle's 'expression' into account during the design procedure. In fact, the unusual recessed light pods were originally designed to allow the fitting of perspex covers, but this idea was dropped prior to production.

With enough chrome to keep the traditionalist happy and a streamlined shape akin to a James Bond car - Roger Moore did actually drive a Jensen built Volvo P1800 in The Saint – the CV8 deserves it's place in British motor manufacturing history.

Classic High Performance Chrysler CV8 Engines

The CV8 was launched at Earls Court motor show in October 1962, and in it's brief life-cycle, went through three major changes – the MK I, MK II and finally the CV8 MK III.
The classic CV8 ran Chrysler-built engines. And with the 330 engine producing 330bhp, the handsome CV8 could achieve a top speed of 136mph aided by a low body weight fibreglass body, which also left the Jensen well equipped to deal with damp British motoring conditions.

The MK III was pure luxury for the time. In keeping with the changes from the MKI to the MK II, Jensen kept faith with the original design, preferring to tweak rather than change. The MK III was pre-tested by a team of racing drivers, which included Roy Salvadori, during the Commanders Cup 24 hour endurance race at Snetterton Race Course. With a shorter body and subtly redesigned bumpers and headlights pods (no more chrome surrounds) and a veneer wood dashboard, the MK III retains the beauty that other manufacturers often lose by the third incarnation.

Despite this, even at their peak, Jensen were only ever manufacturing around 3 CV8's per week and had to rely on outsourced contracting work. Apart from the aforementioned Volvo P1800, Jensen also built the Austin Healy 3000 and the Sunbeam Tiger. The MK II also introduced a left-hand drive option, but very few were exported. All in all, only 500 CV8's were built between 1962 and 1966 with 476 of these being for the UK market.

Jenson - The Classic British Car

Jensen was a very British car, nothing brash or loud here, the idea was to be the 'quiet man' on the block, but the one with the hidden power. Looking back on this rare vintage car, it might surprise to find out that the type of person that bought the CV8 was not the sixties playboy type like Simon Templar, but company chairmen. Maybe this was due to the price. One had to be pretty solvent to afford a CV8, with prices starting at £3,800 in 1962. To put this into perspective, in comparison, a Jaguar MK II was only £1,500 at the time.

Arguably, the CV8 was the last pure Jensen, for this was the last vehicle overseen by Alan and Richard, the brothers who founded the Jensen brand.

The end came in 1966, after just four short years, the CV8 bowed out to it's successor, the Interceptor, which despite the good name, was not a patch on the CV8 visually.

If you can find one and already have your high performance classic or vintage car insurance, you had better be prepared to possibly shell out upwards of £25,000 for one of these rare beasts now. Is it worth it? Maybe. Imagine purring through the morning fog of a British Autumn in a well made vintage car you know is as rare as they come.