Jensen FF 1967 - Vignale Prototype 2-Door

1 Previous Owner, This lot will be auctioned via Historics Classic and Sportscar Auctioneers at The Brooklands Velocity; Mercedes-Benz World sale on Saturday 29th November. The rarest Jensen being a Vignale.One of only eight remaining cars out of 12 prototypesSubstantial history fileRestored in SwedenThe Jensen FF is a four-wheel drive grand tourer produced by British car manufacturer Jensen Motors between 1966 and 1971. It was the first non-all-terrain production car equipped with four-wheel drive and an anti-lock braking system. The powertrain was sourced from Chrysler, installing the second generation 6,277 cc V8 engine and three-speed TorqueFlite A727 automatic transmission. The use of four-wheel drive in a passenger car preceded the successful AMC Eagle by thirteen years, the Audi Quattro by fourteen years and the Subaru Leone by five years. The Dunlop Maxaret mechanical anti-lock braking system had previously been used only on aircraft, lorries, and racing cars. An experimental version was first fitted to the earlier Jensen C-V8, but this did not go into production.The letters FF stand for Ferguson Formula, after Ferguson Research Ltd., who invented the car's four-wheel drive system. The FF is related to the similar-looking, rear-wheel drive Jensen Interceptor, but is five inches longer and mechanically very different. Standard FF features included front seat belts, a tachometer, and map pockets.Delivered new to Morgan Duff of Norfolk, this Vignale-bodied Jensen FF is one of only eight remaining cars out of 12 prototypes built at the company's factory in Italy. A true collector's piece, it represents a unique opportunity to purchase Vignale FF which is matching numbers, in its original colour combination and coupled with the unique Vignale details including number '8' factory stampings on many components. Its history has been confirmed by the Jensen FF Museum UK.Ulric Woodhams' Jensen FF Museum has followed and supported a major restoration that was carried out in Sweden to a high standard at a cost of approximately £75,000. The original factory-supplied engine was stripped and rebuilt and its correct and original Carter carburettor overhauled. The brakes, suspension and automatic transmission were also rebuilt. The bodyshell was treated to a bare-metal repaint in correct Mist Grey and the interior re-trimmed in Vignale Steel Blue leather as per the original special order. The correct Rostyle wheels have been restored and new Avon Turbo Speed tyres fitted.This FF enjoyed only two UK owners prior to being exported to Sweden where it had two further owners from 1988. The Jensen returned to the UK a couple of years ago and has been in a private collection ever since. The history file contains a copy of the original build sheet; an original workshop manual; old MoTs; newspaper articles; numerous bills/receipts and correspondence from 1967 onwards. The car has been stored as part of a private collection. This is about as rare as it gets, so dont miss the opportunity. Consigned by James Good