Colin Chapman handed Jensen a brand-new Lotus engine, the first mass-produced twin-cam four-valve unit built on an assembly line anywhere.
Lead trim: Jensen-Healey 2.0 Lotus 907 (144 bhp)
Jensen Jensen-Healey1972–1976
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FactColin Chapman handed Jensen a brand-new Lotus engine, the first mass-produced twin-cam four-valve unit built on an assembly line anywhere.
The Jensen-Healey is a British two-seater convertible sports car produced by Jensen Motors in West Bromwich from 1972 until 1976 (10,503 produced), positioned between the Triumph TR6 and the Jaguar E-Type; a related fastback, the Jensen GT, was introduced in 1975. When production of the Austin-Healey 3000 ended, Donald Healey opened discussions with Jensen Motors, who had built the bodies for Austin-Healey cars, and San Francisco-based Kjell Qvale, the largest US Austin-Healey dealer, also wanted a replacement; Qvale became a major shareholder with Donald Healey as chairman, and the car was developed as a joint venture with Geoffrey Healey. Hugo Poole did the styling, modified front and rear by William Towns to take advantage of the low-profile engine and to allow US cars to be fitted with bumpers to meet stricter safety regulations, and the unitary body understructure was designed by Barry Bilbie of Austin-Healey 100, 100-6, 3000 and Sprite fame, with bolt-on panels to keep insurance premiums down. Various engines were tried in the prototype stage: the Vauxhall 2.3 met US emissions but not the 130 hp power target, a German Ford V6 was considered but industrial action crippled supply, and BMW could not supply the required number. Colin Chapman of Lotus offered, and Jensen accepted, the new 1973 cc Lotus 907 dual overhead cam, 16-valve, all-alloy engine, the first modern DOHC four-valve-per-cylinder engine mass-produced on an assembly line, with European-spec Dellorto carburettors (North American dual single-throat Zenith Strombergs), producing approximately 144 bhp, a top speed of 119 mph and 0–60 mph in 7.8 seconds (8.1 seconds for the emission-controlled US version). Early cars (1973–1974½) had two-piece steel-and-chrome bumpers; later cars used black rubber bumpers to meet the 5-mph crash standard; the Mk 2 from 1975 used the Getrag 235/5 five-speed gearbox.
Collectors Spotted in the Jensen Jensen-Healey Lineage
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jensen-Healey 2.0 Lotus 907 (144 bhp) | 1972–1976 | 2.0 L Inline-4 | 144 hp | — | 7.8 s | RWD | — | — |
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Owners’ builds
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Rivals
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