From 1956 the 541 Deluxe got four-wheel disc brakes, making it the first British four-seater so equipped.
Median 90 hp across 45 similar cars
Lead trim: 541 4.0 Austin D-Series six (135 bhp)
Jensen 541 / 541R / 541S1954–1959
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Jensen 541 / 541R / 541S yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactFrom 1956 the 541 Deluxe got four-wheel disc brakes, making it the first British four-seater so equipped.
The Jensen 541 is an automobile produced by Jensen Motors from 1954 to 1959 (226 made), designed by Eric Neale, first exhibited at the London Motor Show in October 1953. It used fibreglass bodywork mounted on a steel chassis, in three major mouldings with an entire front that was rear-hinged and could be raised for engine access and aluminium doors, and was fitted with a 4-litre Austin D-Series six with three SU carburettors, a four-speed manual and optional Laycock de Normanville overdrive. Suspension was independent at the front with coil springs and a Panhard-rod-located rigid axle with leaf springs at the rear; early cars had servo-assisted 11-inch drums, but from 1956 the 541 Deluxe featured Dunlop disc brakes front and rear, the first British four-seater so equipped. It was a luxurious car with leather seats as standard, and by using lightweight materials Jensen made it significantly lighter than the Interceptor (1,220 kg dry against 1,370 kg). The 541 was a fast car with a claimed 135 bhp and top speed of 109 mph at launch (both subsequently increased), and a car with overdrive tested by The Motor in 1955 had a top speed of 115.8 mph and reached 0–60 mph in 10.8 seconds, costing £2,146 with overdrive (basic car £1,821). The 541 R was introduced in 1957 and the 541 S in 1960 with wider bodywork and revised grille styling, the range being replaced by the C-V8 in early 1963; in 1957 Richard Jensen had a 541 Deluxe built with a Chrysler Hemi engine, and Abbott built drophead coupés.
Collectors Spotted in the Jensen 541 Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Jensen 541 yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 541 4.0 Austin D-Series six (135 bhp) | 1954–1959 | 4.0 L Inline-6 | 135 hp | — | 10.8 s | — | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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