Jensen 541

The Jensen 541 was a sports car that was produced 1954-1963 by the British car manufacturer Jensen. 1957 and 1960 published revised versions, which were designated 541R and 541S.

Background

The company Jensen Motors founded in 1935 by Richard and Alan Jensen and based in West Bromwich worked primarily as a body-builder. In addition to individual special bodies that followed customized, Jensen produced in small series sporting bodies for chassis from Austin, Ford, Morris and Wolseley. From 1946 a series, there was also under his own name more expensive sports cars, which were located in the market segment of the upper class. In 1950 the company introduced a sports coupe and cabriolet - called Interceptor, which was based on Austin technology. This in contrast to the same model of the 1960s in retrospect as " Early Interceptor " designated vehicle had a steel body, which made ​​difficult the car and the performance was limited. For the successor to a lighter structure was provided. The Jensen brothers were convinced that fiberglass-reinforced plastic medium will replace steel and aluminum as the material of choice in car body; Therefore, they decided to equip the successor to the Early Interceptor with a plastic body. In addition to the Korrosionsunanfälligkeit they promised to lower weight and increased performance.

The Jensen Interceptor released the 541 in the fall of 1953. Its name is derived from the model year for which it was designed (1954). The "1 " referred to the first series. Although Jensen later produced two more advanced series; the name was notwithstanding not updated. in Featured was the four-seat vehicle at the London Motor Show in October 1953.

Particulars

Technology

The Jensen 451 had a box frame made ​​of pressed sheet steel. With him it was a self-construction Jensen.

The mechanics including the chassis is taken mostly from Austin A70. The front wheels were independently suspended to trapezoidal wishbones, rear semi-elliptic springs with a rigid axle was used. The 4.0 -liter straight six-cylinder engine came as the previous model from Austin A125 " Sheer Line", a heavy representation sedan that was factory delivered with a pre-war body. In Jensen, the engine was optionally equipped with a double or a triple carburetor. The engine made ​​about 130 hp. Later versions were sometimes more powerful. Initially used Jensen a manual of Austin, which was connected to an overdrive of Laycock -de Normanville. The last series of 541 was, however, equipped with an automatic transmission.

Body

The body was, with the exception of the doors that were made ​​of aluminum, glass fiber reinforced plastic. Its shape was designed by Eric Neale, and the Jensen - manager Colin Riekie. She was aerodynamically effective: The drag coefficient was 0.36 cw. The structure was about 150 kg lighter than the previous model.

A stylistic feature of the Jensen 541 was an oval radiator opening, the disposal instead of a radiator grille on a movable cover made ​​of plastic. The driver could control the cover off the car inside out and so vary the supply of cooling air required in five stages. This unusual detail disappeared until 1960 with the last series of the 541, the rear window, which projected into the form of a panoramic windscreen in the car flanks was made ​​of plastic. The material was not insensitive to light; over time it changed color yellowish.

The Jensen 541 reached a top speed of 175 km / h The 541R from 1957 with a more powerful engine offered reaching over 200 km / h

Special bodies

The Jensen 541, there were, unlike the Early Interceptor, the factory only as a coupe. The British coachbuilder Abbott of Farnham presented in 1954 before a Cabriolet version. The rear end of the Drophead Coupe car mentioned was made ​​of aluminum and more in terms of style, strongly from that of the standard coupe: She was rounded and recalled the stern of a Bristol 402, the director of Abbott went private. Abbott struck Jensen before series production of the cabriolet. However, the company saw no market for it. From Abbotts Cabriolet ultimately emerged only two copies.

Pictures

The stronger Jensen 541R

Standing radiator grille of the Jensen 541S