Jensen 541
Encyclopedia
The Jensen 541 was first exhibited at the London Motor Show in October 1953: production started in 1954. In October 1954 a cabriolet version was introduced.
The 541 used fibreglass bodywork mounted on a steel chassis and was fitted with a six cylinder, three SU carburettor version of the 4 litre Austin
engine and four speed transmission with optional Laycock de Normanville overdrive
.
The body consisted of three major mouldings and the entire front was rear hinged and could be raised for engine access. The doors were aluminium. Suspension was independent at the front using coil springs with a Panhard rod
located rigid axle and leaf springs at the rear. A choice of wire spoked or steel disc wheels with centre lock fitting was offered. At first the car had servo assisted 11 in (279 mm) drum brakes but from 1956, when the deluxe version was introduced, it featured Dunlop disc brake
s both in front and rear - the first British four seater thus equipped.
It was also a luxurious car with the well equipped interior featuring leather seats as standard. The individual seats in front separated by a high transmission tunnel and the rear seats had a small centre armrest and could also be tilted forwards to increase luggage space. Standard colours (1955) were black, ivory, imperial crimson, moonbeam grey, Boticelli blue, deep green and Tampico beige.
By employing light weight materials, Jensen managed to make the car significantly lighter than their contemporary Interceptor model
, with a dry weight of 1220 kg (2,690 lb) as against the older design's 1370 kg (3,020 lb). Performance benefitted.
In 1957 the 541 R
was introduced, and in 1960 the 541 S
arrived with wider bodywork and revised grill styling. Production of the Jensen 541 ended in 1959 and the 541 S
early 1963 when the range was replaced by the C-V8
.
A car with overdrive tested by the British magazine The Motor
in 1955 had a top speed of 115.8 mph (186.4 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) in 10.8 seconds. A fuel consumption of 20.6 mpgimp was recorded. The test car cost £2146 (with the optional overdrive) including taxes. In 1957 Richard Jensen had a 541 delux built with a Chrysler Hemi engine
but no performance or fuel consumption figures are known for this vehicle.
The basic car cost £1821
The 541 used fibreglass bodywork mounted on a steel chassis and was fitted with a six cylinder, three SU carburettor version of the 4 litre Austin
Austin Motor Company
The Austin Motor Company was a British manufacturer of automobiles. The company was founded in 1905 and merged in 1952 into the British Motor Corporation Ltd. The marque Austin was used until 1987...
engine and four speed transmission with optional Laycock de Normanville overdrive
Overdrive (mechanics)
Overdrive is a term used to describe a mechanism that allows an automobile to cruise at sustained speed with reduced engine RPM, leading to better fuel economy, lower noise and lower wear...
.
The body consisted of three major mouldings and the entire front was rear hinged and could be raised for engine access. The doors were aluminium. Suspension was independent at the front using coil springs with a Panhard rod
Panhard rod
A Panhard rod is a component of a car suspension system that provides lateral location of the axle...
located rigid axle and leaf springs at the rear. A choice of wire spoked or steel disc wheels with centre lock fitting was offered. At first the car had servo assisted 11 in (279 mm) drum brakes but from 1956, when the deluxe version was introduced, it featured Dunlop disc brake
Disc brake
The disc brake or disk brake is a device for slowing or stopping the rotation of a wheel while it is in motion.A brake disc is usually made of cast iron, but may in some cases be made of composites such as reinforced carbon–carbon or ceramic matrix composites. This is connected to the wheel and/or...
s both in front and rear - the first British four seater thus equipped.
It was also a luxurious car with the well equipped interior featuring leather seats as standard. The individual seats in front separated by a high transmission tunnel and the rear seats had a small centre armrest and could also be tilted forwards to increase luggage space. Standard colours (1955) were black, ivory, imperial crimson, moonbeam grey, Boticelli blue, deep green and Tampico beige.
By employing light weight materials, Jensen managed to make the car significantly lighter than their contemporary Interceptor model
Jensen Interceptor (1950)
The first generation of Jensen Interceptor was the second car to be made by Jensen Motors after World War II and was produced from 1950 to 1957. Jensen later reused the name for a different car ....
, with a dry weight of 1220 kg (2,690 lb) as against the older design's 1370 kg (3,020 lb). Performance benefitted.
In 1957 the 541 R
Jensen 541R
The Jensen 541R is a closed four-seater GT-class car built in the United Kingdom by Jensen between 1957 to 1960.The original aluminium prototype appeared in 1953 as the 541 at the London Motor Show, although this changed to glassfibre for all production cars...
was introduced, and in 1960 the 541 S
Jensen 541S
The Jensen 541S was Jensen Motors luxury GT model of the Jensen 541 series, being 4" wider than the 541R, which had the advantages of making the interior roomier and improving the roadholding...
arrived with wider bodywork and revised grill styling. Production of the Jensen 541 ended in 1959 and the 541 S
Jensen 541S
The Jensen 541S was Jensen Motors luxury GT model of the Jensen 541 series, being 4" wider than the 541R, which had the advantages of making the interior roomier and improving the roadholding...
early 1963 when the range was replaced by the C-V8
Jensen CV8
The Jensen C-V8 is a sports car produced by Jensen Motors.Launched in October 1962, it was the successor to the similarly styled 541 series of Jensen motorcars and shared their use of fibreglass as a body material ....
.
Performance
The Jensen 541 was a fast car with a claimed 135 bhp and top speed of 109 mi/h (both subsequently increased) at launch.A car with overdrive tested by the British magazine The Motor
The Motor (magazine)
The Motor was a British weekly car magazine founded on 28 January 1903....
in 1955 had a top speed of 115.8 mph (186.4 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) in 10.8 seconds. A fuel consumption of 20.6 mpgimp was recorded. The test car cost £2146 (with the optional overdrive) including taxes. In 1957 Richard Jensen had a 541 delux built with a Chrysler Hemi engine
Chrysler Hemi engine
The Chrysler Hemi engine, known by the trademark Hemi, is a series of V8 engines built by Chrysler with a hemispherical combustion chamber. Three different types of Hemi engines have been built by Chrysler for automobiles: the first from 1951–1958, the second from 1964–1971, and the third...
but no performance or fuel consumption figures are known for this vehicle.
The basic car cost £1821