Jensen 541

Jensen
541
Production period:	1954-1963
Class :	Sports car
Body versions :	Coupe
Engines:	Otto engine : 4.0 liters (101 kW)
Length:	4470-4521 mm
Width:	1600-1702 mm
Height:	1350 mm
Wheelbase :	2670 mm
Empty weight :	1220 kg
Previous model	Jensen Interceptor
successor	Jensen C-V8

The Jensen 541 was a sports car manufactured by the British car manufacturer Jensen between 1954 and 1963 . Revised versions appeared in 1957 and 1960, bearing the designation 541R and 541S , respectively .

background

Founded in 1935 by Richard and Alan Jensen and based in West Bromwich , Jensen Motors was primarily a body manufacturer. In addition to individual special superstructures that followed customer requests, Jensen produced small series of sporty bodies for chassis from Austin , Ford , Morris and Wolseley . From 1935 onwards, a number of expensive sports cars were built under their own name, which were located in the upper-class market segment. In 1950, the company introduced a sports coupe and convertible called the Interceptor , which was based on Austin technology. In contrast to the model of the same name from the 1960s , the vehicle, known in retrospect as the “Early Interceptor”, had a steel body that made the car heavy and limited its performance. A lighter structure was planned for the successor model. The Jensen brothers were convinced that glass fiber reinforced plastic would replace steel and aluminum as the preferred material in car body construction in the medium term; therefore they decided to equip the successor to the Early Interceptor with a plastic body. In addition to being less susceptible to corrosion , they promised a lower weight and increased driving performance.

The Jensen 541 replaced the Interceptor in the fall of 1953. Its name is derived from the model year for which it was designed (1954). The "1" referred to the first series. Although Jensen later produced two further developed series; however, the name has not been updated regardless. The four-seater vehicle was presented at the London Motor Show in October 1953.

details

technology

The Jensen 541 had a box frame made of pressed sheet steel. It was Jensen's own construction.

The mechanics, including the chassis, were mainly taken from the Austin A70 . The front wheels were individually suspended on trapezoidal triangular wishbones, and a rigid axle with semi-elliptical springs was used at the rear . The 4.0 liter in-line six-cylinder engine came from the Austin A125 "Sheerline" , a heavy, prestigious sedan that was delivered from the factory with a pre-war body , just like the previous model . At Jensen, the engine was optionally equipped with two or three individual flat-flow carburetors. The engine developed 137 hp. Later versions were sometimes more powerful. Initially used Jensen a manual of Austin, the one with overdrive from Laycock de Normanville was associated. The last series of the 541, however, was equipped with an automatic transmission.

body

Movable plastic radiator cover

With the exception of the doors, which were made of aluminum, the body was made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic. Its shape was designed by Eric Neale and Jensen manager Colin Riekie. It was aerodynamically effective: the drag coefficient was 0.36 cw. The structure was about 150 kg lighter than that of the previous model.

A stylistic peculiarity of the Jensen 541 was an oval radiator opening, which instead of a radiator grille had a movable cover made of plastic. The driver could control the cover from inside the car and thus vary the cooling air supply in five stages as required. This unusual detail only disappeared in 1960 with the last series of the 541. The rear window, which protruded into the sides of the car in the form of a panorama window , was made of plastic. The material was not insensitive to light; it turned yellowish over time.

The Jensen 541 reached a top speed of 175 km / h. The 541R offered from 1957 onwards reached over 200 km / h with a more powerful engine.

Special bodies

Jensen 541 Drophead Coupe from Abbott of Farnham

Unlike the Early Interceptor, the Jensen 541 was only available from the factory as a coupé. The British body manufacturer Abbott of Farnham presented a convertible version in 1954. The rear section of the car called Drophead Coupé was made of aluminum and in terms of style differed greatly from that of the standard coupé: It was rounded and reminded of the rear of a Bristol 402 that the director of Abbott drove privately. Abbott suggested series production of the convertible to Jensen. The company saw no market for it. In the end, only two copies of Abbott's convertible were made.

photos

• 

  Jensen 541R (1959)

• 

  the stronger Jensen 541R

• 

  standing grille of the Jensen 541S

literature

• Eberhard Kittler: Plastic like a manor . Presentation of the Jensen 541R in: Oldtimer Markt, issue 6/1994, p. 28 ff.
• Frank Oleski, Hartmut Lehbrink: Series sports cars from 1945 to 1980 . Könemann, Cologne 1993, ISBN 3-89508-000-4 .
• John Tipler: Jensen Interceptor. The Complete Story . Crowood Press Ltd., Ramsbury 2004. ISBN 978-1-86126-711-5
• Nick Walker: AZ of British Coachbuilders 1919-1960. Shebbear 2007 (Herridge & Sons Ltd.) ISBN 978-0-9549981-6-5 .

Web links

Commons : Jensen 541  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Nick Walker: AZ of British Coachbuilders 1919-1960. Shebbear 2007 (Herridge & Sons Ltd.) ISBN 978-0-9549981-6-5 , p. 131.
2. ^ ^{A b c} John Tipler: Jensen Interceptor. The Complete Story . Crowood Press Ltd., Ramsbury 2004. ISBN 978-1-86126-711-5 , p. 25.
3. ↑ ^{a b c d} Eberhard Kittler: Plastic in the manner of a manor . Presentation of the Jensen 541R in: Oldtimer Markt, issue 6/1994, p. 29.
4. ^ ^{A b} Frank Oleski, Hartmut Lehbrink: Series sports car from 1945 to 1980 . Könemann, Cologne 1993, ISBN 3-89508-000-4 , 90.
5. ↑ John Tipler: Jensen Interceptor. The Complete Story . Crowood Press Ltd., Ramsbury 2004. ISBN 978-1-86126-711-5 , p. 26.