Here’s one of the tidiest Jensen-Healeys I have ever seen. The paint pops, the trim is clean, the engine is rebuilt. The owner has pampered the car and it shows; I also appreciate the effort to clean the car before its photo shoot. It’s for sale here on craigslist with an asking price of $12,900. The new owner can drive it home from Newton, Massachusetts. Thanks to Mitchell G for finding this spiffy roadster, which hails from early in the second generation of Jensen-Healey production, before the factory was forced to fit dreadfully large rubber bumpers to meet safety regulations.
The Jensen-Healey was the recipient of Lotus’ new type 907 twin-cam in-line four-cylinder, the first production version of the 900 series. Breathing through twin Dell’Ortos at home, the engine was good for 140 bhp, but US delivery vehicles were saddled with a lower compression ratio and dual Zeniths. The untested engine experienced severe teething problems in early cars. Oil seepage, low oil pressure and fuel leaks culminated in expensive warranty claims, damaging the car’s reputation along the way. Consequently, despite improvements that ameliorated most of these issues, the car never sold well. But all the basics are on board: decent suspension, front disc/rear drum brakes, and either a four- or five-speed manual gearbox (1974 was the demarcation between the two ‘boxes). This car with its rebuilt engine has promise.
A mild facelift in 1974 fancified the interior, adding a wood dash. This one appears to be an upgrade over the original plain grain pattern. I don’t care for the custom red/black interior, but then I am annoyingly married to factory fare. The seller notes that the convertible top is new, but a photo reveals its fit is less than perfect.
Despite its relative rarity, the Jensen-Healey has not elicited the same collectible aura afforded to its less exotic British kin – the MGB and the Triumph TR6. Only 10,503 were ever made, up against the MGB’s 512,000 and the TR6 at 91,850. But like many things we would never look at twice when we were young, this model is slowly gathering fans. Consequently, prices are drifting upwards, with very nice Jensen-Healeys now selling in the mid-teens. Still, this example advertised in Hemmings sits in four-figure territory. Personally, I would opt for our subject car with its rebuilt engine, provided the seller can document the work. What do you think?
contact to buy:https://barnfinds.com/rebuilt-engine-1974-jensen-healey/
