1972-76 Jensen-Healey

by Gary Anderson

Born out of desperation and existing in chaos, it is surprising that the Jensen-Healey and Jensen GT came into being at all. That today, thirty years later, they can be inexpensive and thoroughly enjoyable cars to own and drive is nothing short of amazing. And yet they are. If the original Lotus engine is in good shape, the body sound, and the suspension has benefited from a few judicious tweaks, the Jensen-Healey roadster is reliable and comfortable for long-distance cruising and a killer on the autocross course. Even better, all of this capability can be bought for less than the price of a decent MGB. The history behind these cars reads like an imaginative Harvard Business School case study written by Aaron Spelling. Jensen Motors was losing money on its quality-challenged, Chrysler-powered Jensen Interceptors when the plug was pulled on its coachwork production for the Austin-Healey 3000 and Sunbeam Tiger. Donald Healey, losing his royalty income from the...