Jensen CV8
Encyclopedia
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 (only the door skins were metal).
The C-V8 used big block Chrysler
engines, at first the 361 and from 1964 the 383 in³ which produced 330 bhp. A few were fitted with standard transmissions but most left the factory with the excellent Chrysler Torqueflite
automatic. Since the majority of C-V8s were made for the British market, only 8 examples were made in left-hand drive (LHD) and such cars are prized today by European and American collectors.
As a result of the fibreglass bodywork and the fact that the large twin-tube frame was set in from the perimeter of the car, many examples of this model have survived the years in better shape than many contemporary vehicles and continue to provide a comfortable high performance driving experience.
Being able to achieve a top speed of 136 mph (219 km/h), run the quarter mile (~400 m) in 14.6 seconds and 0 - 60 mi/h in 6.7 seconds, made this automobile one of the fastest production four seaters at the time.
The styling was done by the factory, and was ...controversial. It was decidedly unusual and the slant eyed look either repelled or attracted people with little middle ground. This perhaps contributed to the relatively small total production from 1962 to 1966 of 500 cars.
The car was upgraded to Mk II specification in 1963 with Selectaride dampers fitted to the rear. The 1965 Mk III had both pairs of front headlights made the same size and a dual circuit braking system.
The Jensen CV-8 Mk II was featured in the ITC
television series The Baron
made in 1965/66.
Two convertibles were made by the factory – a full cabriolet and a Sedanca that was only open above the driver and front passenger. A feature about the unique CV8 Sedanca, written by British motoring journalist Paul Walton
was printed in the June edition of Ruoteclassiche (Italy's leading classic car magazine).
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
produced by Jensen Motors
Jensen Motors
Jensen Motors Ltd was a British manufacturer of sports cars and commercial vehicles, based in the Lyng – West Bromwich...
.
Launched in October 1962, it was the successor to the similarly styled 541
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...
series of Jensen
Jensen Motors
Jensen Motors Ltd was a British manufacturer of sports cars and commercial vehicles, based in the Lyng – West Bromwich...
motorcars and shared their use of fibreglass as a body material (only the door skins were metal).
The C-V8 used big block Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
engines, at first the 361 and from 1964 the 383 in³ which produced 330 bhp. A few were fitted with standard transmissions but most left the factory with the excellent Chrysler Torqueflite
TorqueFlite
TorqueFlite is the trademarked name of Chrysler Corporation's automatic transmissions, starting with the three-speed unit introduced late in the 1956 model year as a successor to Chrysler's two-speed PowerFlite...
automatic. Since the majority of C-V8s were made for the British market, only 8 examples were made in left-hand drive (LHD) and such cars are prized today by European and American collectors.
As a result of the fibreglass bodywork and the fact that the large twin-tube frame was set in from the perimeter of the car, many examples of this model have survived the years in better shape than many contemporary vehicles and continue to provide a comfortable high performance driving experience.
Being able to achieve a top speed of 136 mph (219 km/h), run the quarter mile (~400 m) in 14.6 seconds and 0 - 60 mi/h in 6.7 seconds, made this automobile one of the fastest production four seaters at the time.
The styling was done by the factory, and was ...controversial. It was decidedly unusual and the slant eyed look either repelled or attracted people with little middle ground. This perhaps contributed to the relatively small total production from 1962 to 1966 of 500 cars.
The car was upgraded to Mk II specification in 1963 with Selectaride dampers fitted to the rear. The 1965 Mk III had both pairs of front headlights made the same size and a dual circuit braking system.
The Jensen CV-8 Mk II was featured in the ITC
ITC Entertainment
The Incorporated Television Company was a British television company largely involved in production and distribution. It was founded by Lew Grade.-History:...
television series The Baron
The Baron
The Baron is a British television series, made in 1965/66 based on the book series by John Creasey, written under the pseudonym Anthony Morton, and produced by ITC Entertainment. It was the first ITC show without marionettes to be produced entirely in colour...
made in 1965/66.
Two convertibles were made by the factory – a full cabriolet and a Sedanca that was only open above the driver and front passenger. A feature about the unique CV8 Sedanca, written by British motoring journalist Paul Walton
Paul Walton
Paul Walton is a British motoring journalist.His career started in 1999 working for Classic Cars magazine before moving to BBC Top Gear Magazine in 2002....
was printed in the June edition of Ruoteclassiche (Italy's leading classic car magazine).