Detailed Description: 1974 Jensen Healey – Sold?

The Jensen-Healey produced from 1972–76, with 10,503 produced, is the best-selling Jensen of all time. The 1974 example currently listed here on Craigslist in Syracuse, Indiana is known as a MkII, of which 7,146 were produced.  Launched in 1972 as a fast, luxurious, and competent convertible sports car, it was positioned in the market between the Triumph TR6 and the Jaguar E-Type. The 50/50 weight balance achieved by the use of the all-alloy Lotus 907 engine led to universal praise for having excellent handling.  Currently offered at $15,995, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the Classic Car market, provides the interactive graph of comparable sales in the past five years. By clicking on the green dots, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you make an informed decision about our feature car’s current value:

July 30, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

June 21, 2021 Update – After confirming the private seller deleted their original Craigslist ad, we found an updated listed containing the same description, pictures, and asking price.

The Jensen-Healey produced from 1972–76, with 10,503 produced, is the best-selling Jensen of all time. The 1974 example featured here is known as a MkII, of which 7,146 were produced.

When production of the Austin-Healey 3000 ended in 1967, Donald Healey opened discussions with Jensen Motors, who had built the bodies for Healey’s Austin-Healey cars. The largest Austin-Healey dealer in the U.S., San Francisco-based Kjell Qvale, was also keen to find a replacement to the 3000; Qvale would become a major shareholder of Jensen, making Donald Healey the chairman. The Jensen-Healey was developed in a joint venture by Donald Healey, his son Geoffrey, and Jensen Motors. Hugo Poole did the styling of the body, the front, and back of which were later modified by William Towns to take advantage of the low profile engine and to allow cars for the U.S. market to be fitted with bumpers to meet increasingly strict U.S. safety regulations. The unitary body understructure was designed by Barry Bilbie, who had been responsible for the Austin-Healey 100, 100-6, and 3000 as well as the Sprite. It was designed to be easy to repair, with bolt-on panels, to keep insurance premiums down.

Early cars (1973-1974.5) came fitted with two-piece steel and chrome bumpers originally designed for the Jensen-Healey. Later examples such as the car featured here came with body-colored bumpers. The suspension was simple but effective with double wishbone and coil springs at the front, and a live rear axle with trailing arms and coils at the rear. Brakes consisted of discs at the front and drums at the rear. The suspension, steering gear, brakes, and rear axle were adapted from the Vauxhall Firenza with the exception of the front brakes, which were then widely used Girling Type 14 Calipers.  after experimenting with a variety of engines, Healey selected the new Lotus 907 engine to power his new car.  Not only did this new engine meet U.S. emissions of the period, but this engine was also the first modern dual overhead cam four-valve per cylinder engine to be mass-produced on an assembly line. North American versions came equipped with dual single throat Zenith Strombergs.

Unfortunately, the 1973 Arab oil embargo hit Jensen Motors hard, greatly damaging the sales of its very large Chrysler-440-powered model and thus degrading its financial condition as a whole.  After a slow ramp up, by 1974 Lotus was finally able to supply the required number of engines and production reached 86 cars a week but despite this, the overall situation proved to be too much for the company, which, amid labor strikes, component shortages and inflation, proceeded to liquidate in 1975 and then close in May 1976.

Here’s the seller’s detailed description:

“1974 Jenson Healey MKII: Specifications,
1. Lotus 2.0L 907-14 all-alloy engine, 16 valve dual overhead cam, dual Dell ’Orto DHLA carbs, 9.5 to 1 compression, 155 H.P.
2. Getrag 235/5 alloy case 5 speed close ratio gearbox. Fifth gear is a 1 to 1 ratio true 5th gear, not overdrive.
3. Unibody construction
a. Double wishbone coil spring independent front suspension, rack & pinion, power assist. disk brakes.
b. Rear susp. is a live axle with trailing arms and drum brakes.
c. Heavy duty front & rear sway bars and Spax adjustable tubular gas shocks have been added to this car to enhance performance handling.
This Jenson is a previous professional level nut and bolt disassembly up restoration. It has been used for Jenson Owners Club meets and car shows and weekend fair weather pleasure driving only. Always garaged in mostly climate controlled storage and has been driven only a total of 4,400 miles since restoration. When fresh, it would have been a high level driver or show quality car. Presently the car runs, drives and preforms, and rides as a freshly restored car. Everything works as it should. Cosmetically, the car still shows very well. There is no body damage, dents, dings, etc. and the trim is all in good condition, straight, no dings etc. The body panels are all excellent, straight, good fit and all original metal. The car is totally rust free and no signs of rust repair or filler. The beautiful navy blue paint still shows nicely and it would be considered a good quality driver level finish. The interior is black with optional leather seats and was fully redone at restoration. It remains in very good condition, with no visible wear or damage. The convertible top was new at restoration but has been folded down the last several years and is functional and presentable but not perfect. It is equipped with new barely if ever used tonneau cover and convert. top boot. The car has a professionally installed Kenwood stereo (no dash damage), a beautiful wood rim steer.wheel and Raydot mirrors.
It has recently installed new exhaust, brake master cylinder, cam cover gaskets, battery and VREDESTEIN performance tires on the original Jensen alloy wheels. The car is fully serviced and tuned-up and is turn-key ready to drive and enjoy.
The car is immediately available and is priced at $15,995, Syracuse, In, Ph show contact info , no texts or emails, phone only.”

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