Jensen - Jensen Healey
By 1973 the contract with Austin to use the Healey name came to an end, and was not renewed. This meant Healey 3000 production was coming to an end, which had resulted in a lot of work for Jensen who made the bodywork. Donald Healey knew there was strong demand from the USA for something to carry on from where the Healey 3000 was leaving off. Healey knew there would be a strong demand for a Healey 3000 replacement, which Kjell Qvale urged as the USA importer for Austin-Healey. A new set up with Kjell Qvale purchasing a major shareholding at Jensen, and with Donald Healey as Chairman paved the way for the Jensen-Healey. The USA emission rules were always a problem for European manufacturers and after studying various engine options, as luck would have it, Colin Chapman had developed a new 16 valve 2 litre Twin cam which was very efficient, so this engine was rushed into the Jensen-Healey , even before it made it into a Lotus! The Jensen-Healey was launched in 1972, a well appointed soft top 2 seater, with the hard top Jensen GT "shooting brake" version coming a few years later in 1975 just as Jensen went into liquidation. The oil crisis hit Jensen hard with their V8 Interceptors, and there were problems with the Jensen-Healey with supply of engines which was eventually resolved. Only by 1974 were engine deliveries finally on schedule. Qvale was also bitter at the way the Unions put the workers on strike which did not help, but strikes were the norm in the Britsih motor industry at the time. The company finally closed in early 1976, and with it the Jensen-Healey was at an end.
Jensen-Healey tyre size was originally 185/70R13 . Blockley produces a superb high speed rated period 185/70VR13 tyre with steel belt construction which is ideal for the Jensen-Healey, which we guarantee will transform teh handling. See full details of this Jensen-Healey 185/70VR13 tyre below:
