Motor1956

THE unique distinction of being the first British company to market a production saloon with disc brakes fitted to all four wheels has been achieved by Jensen Motors, Ltd. with the introduction of a de luxe version of the Jensen 541, for it is equipped throughout with the latest version of the Dunlop disc brakes. These brakes, which are described in detail on pages 472-474 of this issue, have been developed directly as a result of the vast experience gained with brakes of similar general design fitted to sports-racing cars.

In addition to disc brakes, the 541 de luxe model is also fitted with a high-compression cylinder head, twin exhaust system, Laycock-de Normanville overdrive, and wire wheels, and its very full equipment includes a tachometer, heater and demister unit and windscreen washers. In all other respects the new model is identical to the standard Jensen 541, which, it may be recalled, is a very compact four-seater gran turismo saloon powered by a surprisingly big engine – for the overall size of the car – namely a six-cylinder overhead valve unit of 3,993 c.c.

Thanks to this combination of a big engine running well within its limits in a car of very clean, aerodynamic form with a dry weight of only 26½ cwt. the maximum speed when tested by The Motor of 115.8 m.p.h. was obtained. Even more significant from the point of everyday use is the effortless ease with which fast journeys can be made, thanks to the excellent torque of the engine which whisks the car from a standstill to 60 m.p.h. in only 10.8 sec. Acceleration of this exceptional character is not produced by undergearing, for direct top is 3.54 and overdrive no less than 2.75 to 1. Owing to its light weight and smooth shape, the car can cruise at high speed in overdrive on very little throttle, thereby achieving a fuel consumption of 17.5 m.p.g. at 60 m.p.h., a truly remarkable performance for a four-litre car.

It will no doubt be recalled that the body – quite apart from its attractive lines – is unusual in that it is made from reinforced Fibreglass. Although outwardly indistinguishable from a normal steel body, the advantage is claimed that, owing to the inherent springiness of Fibreglass, the car is less likely, than one fitted with a steel body, to incur the type of dent in a wing which it is so easy to produce in today’s congested traffic and is so very expensive to have removed.

In addition to the standard and de luxe versions of the 541, the Jensen range also includes the Interceptor in both saloon and convertible models. The Interceptor is powered by a four-litre six-cylinder engine identical to the 541 but offers more room at the cost of some sacrifice in performance – but only in comparison with its very rapid sisters, for a maximum of over 100 m.p.h. is claimed for the Interceptor in spite of the fact that it is a much bigger car.

Prices of the Jensen models are as follows:–541 standard saloon £1,435 plus £718 17s. purchase tax, total £2,153 17 s. Jensen 541 de luxe £1,714 plus £858 7s. purchase tax, total £2,572 7s. Jensen Interceptor saloon, or convertible, £1,800 plus £901 7s purchase tax, total £2,701 7s.