1971 Jensen Interceptor II

Estimate: £24,000 - £28,000*

Reg No: GAM 903J MOT: Exempt

Chassis No: 1157112515278

Jensen’s C-V8 replacement debuted in 1966. The design was outsourced to Carrozzeria Touring, and the bodies made of steel, not glassfibre. Early shells were built in Italy, by Vignale, before production was established at Jensen’s Kelvin Way plant in West Bromwich. Power came from a 6276cc (383ci) Chrysler V8. MkI production ran for three years before being supplanted by the MkII.

This particular Interceptor II has a rather interesting story. A genuine California car manufactured in 1971, ‘GAM 903J’ was first owned by a farmer, Broome John Spoor, who farmed 20,000 acres in California for Sunkist (soft-drink/ soda). Ironically presented in a lovely shade of Yellow with a contrasting Black leather interior, this particular example has just one further owner in the US, before it was brought to the UK and purchased by the current owner in early 2021; making it a 3 owner car.

After a period of time in storage, with the occasional drive on trade plates, the vendor undertook a series of works to bring the car to his standard. This included major servicing including the brakes being overhauled, the carpets replaced, tyres replaced with wheel centre caps sourced and fitted, a new old stock steering wheel sourced and replaced, the driver’s seat re-upholstered with the other three reconnolised (including the headrests) and finally the air-conditioning re-gassed. The car was finally registered in the UK on 1st November 2022 and is now offered for sale as the vendor has other projects to complete.

Included with the vehicle is a small history file that contains an original handbook, an original service voucher booklet with some receipts from the original owner dating back to 1979, a small collection of invoices from the second owner, some DVLA paperwork in relation to the vehicle’s registration in the UK and the current V5C document which displays no former keepers.

1971 Lotus Elan +2S 130

Estimate: £14,000 - £16,000*

Reg No: LAB 703K MOT: September 2023

Chassis No: 7101020360L

According to its accompanying Lotus Classic Certificate of Vehicle Provenance, chassis 7101020360L was completed during January 1971 and originally finished in Lotus Yellow with a Silver roof and Black upholstery. Despatched to Foley Park Motors on 19th February 1971, this Elan +2S 130 changed hands several times thereafter before being bought by marque enthusiast Michael West during February 1992. A designer for Hoover at the time, a subsequent job with Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart gave him the funds to have ‘LAB 703K’ fully restored and upgraded. Having obtained a new chassis from Fibreglass Services of Arundel (the Lotus Chassis Registration Card for which remains on file), he tasked CVT Classic Sports Cars of Surrey with beginning work on the car in June 1995. However, the following year saw him entrust the project to the renowned, Club Lotus Heritage Approved specialist, Robin F. Alabaster of Aldermaston. Utilising the replacement chassis as a basis, Mr Alabaster undertook a through refurbishment of the fibreglass bodyshell as well as overhauling the steering, brakes and suspension. The ‘twin-cam’ engine was thoroughly rejuvenated by Rapier Services including the installation of an uprated water pump and conversion to unleaded fuel etc.

Fitted with air-conditioning (disconnected since), rewired and boasting upgraded driveshafts etc, ‘LAB 703K’ returned to the road in 1997 and was used to commute between Surrey and Stuttgart for a time! Now showing five former keepers on its V5C Registration Document, the Lotus has recently been recommissioned following a period of dry storage. Starting readily and running well during our recent photography session, the Elan +2S 130 is expected to possess a fresh MOT certificate by the time of sale. Three decades after it was applied, the Lotus Yellow paintwork is still bright but not imperfection free. The wood veneer dashboard is cracked in places but overall ‘LAB 703K’ remains a credit to the skill of Robin A. Alabaster and Rapier Services.