Jensen Interceptor set to return to the roads

One of the most desirable sports cars ever to hail from the West Midlands has been given a new lease of life - along with a six-figure price tag.

The Jensen Interceptor is renowned as one of the most glamorous vehicles of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

At its launch in 1966 it blended Black Country engineering know-how with Italian design flair and packed a mighty seven-litre American V8 engine under its bonnet.

And the FF special edition was notable for heralding the introduction of four-wheel drive for the first time in a non off-road car — long before Audi revived the concept with its quattro system.

Just under 6,500 Interceptors were produced at Jensen Motors' plant in Kelvin Way, West Bromwich, between 1966 and 1976 until the firm folded. Now production of the car has started again, although at a small unit in Oxfordshire rather than in its West Midlands spiritual home.

The cars are being produced by Jensen International Automotive (JIA), a new firm which was established in May last year.

The venture has the financial backing of Carphone Warehouse's founder and chairman Charles Dunstone, who joined its board earlier last year. The new Jensen Interceptor R is the firm's modern interpretation of the much-loved British classic. Each 'new' Interceptor R is hand-built from an original donor car, completely refurbished and finished with modern 'bespoke' fittings. The aim is to offer owners a great-looking, retro-styled car with updated fittings and components.

Prices start at £105,000 on the road and every aspect of the car can be customised to the owner's personal tastes. The updated specification includes a General Motors Corvette LS3 V8 engine, independent rear suspension, new transmission and braking system, and luxurious new interior.

The engine develops 429hp and is capable of propelling the car to 60mph in under 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 160mph. It takes the 15-strong Banbury-based production force around five months to complete each car and the first model will be ready for delivery at the end of the month.

JIA's managing director Tony Banham said: "Seeing the first Interceptor grand tourers of 2011 being delivered is a great way to start the year.

"Our current production facilities are capable of achieving quality levels completely unattainable only a couple of years ago. We have managed to produce a modern Jensen without compromising on its spirit or heritage." The firm was originally founded by the brothers Alan and Richard Jensen, who began building car bodies in the late 1920s. They opened the Kelvin Way factory in 1956 and it employed around 1,000 people in its heyday.

The Interceptor was given radical and rakish styling to compete with the glamour cars of the early 1960s.

The original car could reach 60mph in seven seconds, which was fast for the era. But economy was not a strong point — with an average consumption of around 12 to 13 miles to the gallon.