1969 | Jensen FF

1969 Jensen FF (RHD)

• A truly pioneering GT, the first 4-Wheel Drive, ABS fitted roadcar
• One of only 320 cars ever produced
• Predated the legendary Audi Quattro by 14 years
• Coachbuilt, fast, comfortable and supremely luxurious
• Restored beautifully in Velvet Green over Red Leather
• One of the finest examples available anywhere

The iconic Jensen Interceptor is a highly regarded British sporting GT-class motor car. These stunning cars were hand-built at the Kelvin Way Factory in West Bromwich England by Jensen Motors between 1966 and 1976. The Interceptor name had been used previously by Jensen for the Jensen Interceptor made between 1950 and 1957 at the Carters Green factory. Jensen had extensively used glass-reinforced plastic for the fabrication of body panels in the preceding two decades, but the new Interceptor saw a return to a steel body-shell. The body was designed by an outside firm, Carrozzeria Touring of Italy, rather than the in-house staff. The early bodies were built in Italy by Vignale, before Jensen took production in house, making some subtle body modifications. However, whilst the incredibly stylish Interceptor featured undoubtedly contemporary styling, it wasn’t technologically advanced, unlike its brother, the FF.

The Jensen FF is a four-wheel drive Grand Tourer produced between 1966 and 1971. It was the first non all-terrain production car equipped with 4WD and an anti-lock braking system. The use of four-wheel drive in a passenger car preceded the successful AMC Eagle by 13 years and the legendary Audi Quattro by 14 years. “FF” stands for Ferguson Formula after Ferguson Research Ltd who invented the car’s system. The FF is related to the similar-looking, rear-wheel drive Jensen Interceptor but is five inches longer and mechanically very different. The FF can be distinguished from the Interceptor by a few styling cues, with the most obvious being the twin (rather than single) diagonal air vents on the front wing just rear of the wheel-arches.

Jensen had often been ahead of the curve as a marque and had accomplished numerous firsts in the automotive world, with the 541 being one of the first European fiberglass production cars and other things such as the Interceptor featuring the largest rear windscreen in a car. Performance was another facet in which Jensen was often at the forefront, with models like the CV8 being amongst the fastest cars in the world with a 0-60 quicker than a Lamborghini Miura and numerous other 60s icons. However the FF was incredibly futuristic and truly paved the way for a more modern breed of automobiles, not only being one of the very first uses of 4-wheel-drive in a non-offroad vehicle but also one of the very first automotive uses of ABS, decades before other brands would use the technology. There was no other car like the Jensen FF and wouldn’t be for decades, arguably the most comparable car today would be the Bentley Continental GT with its 4-wheel-drive, elegant bodywork and extremely luxurious interior.

The car we proudly present to you today is one of just 320 Jensen FFs ever built, more specifically one of only 195 Mark Is which feature Jensen’s most striking interior with its jet-age instrument binnacle and sleek walnut centre dashboard console. Finished in the truly exceptional colour combination of Velvet Green over its Red Leather interior, this FF is truly one of the most beautiful examples anywhere. It’s spacious airy cabin is perfect for crossing continents in extreme comfort and rarely for a GT car, comfortable space for rear passengers. This along with its sophisticated Ferguson Formula system and ABS makes it an excellent touring car for all seasons. IT has been restored beautifully and is undoubtedly one of the finest examples anywhere, not to mention with its unique colour combination one of the most elegant too. If you’re looking for one of the fastest, most innovative and striking Grand Tourers of the 1960s, look no further.

Now available for viewing at the DD Classics Dealership in London, please call 0208 878 3355 for more information.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the above information but errors may occur. Please check with a salesperson.