(first posted 9/5/2011) The Jensen Interceptor is a handsome brute, undoubtedly. But its design is hardly original, as this little match up with two older cars shows all to well.
Of course you know the top car, the 1963 Studebaker Avanti. The middle one is a bit obscurer: the 1964 Brasinca Uirapuru, a Brazilian GT, of which only 73 examples were made, and powered by a triple carb version of the old Chevy six (just like the original Corvette). Wiki makes reference to the Uirapuru’s being the stylistic antecedent to the Interceptor, and even has a link to a Brazilian video comparing the two, but no mention is given to the rightful originator of them both. Undoubtedly, the Uirapuru was the missing link, as its front and rear ends are much closer to the 1966 Interceptor. Really new design ideas don’t come by often, and when they do, folks like to pay homage to them, over and over.
More:
CC 1963 Studebaker Avanti: Flawed Brilliance PN
CC Jensen Interceptor: The handsome Ital-Anglo-American Mashup D. Saunders
The Avanti picture that you used is the virtual twin to the 64 Avanti that I grew up riding in with my neighbor down the street.
Sorry, but I can’t find a comment button, so I’m replying.
I couldn’t find a really good Avanti profile photo, particularly in red, so I understand using that somewhat crapped up one. For everyone’s enjoyment, here’s a really pretty one, of a square headlight ’64.
For some reason I always liked big wraparound rear window sporty cars like the Avanti or the Jensen.
Here’s another one everyone probably hates or doesn’t know what it is except for a few. I almost bought one back in the day. Probably lucky I didn’t because they had many issues related to crap French materials and build quality at the time. I know, different side window shape but shares the rear fishbowl window.
Aha, a Fuego. Far from hating them, I think they’re pretty cool. Been years upon years since I’ve seen one, though, or for that matter any Renault.
What makes the Touring design more balanced is that the wide C-pillar is situated right above the rear wheels, with the fore and aft compartments leaning towards it with the same but opposed inclination. I always love how the Italians take different styling cues and just puts it all together better than anyone else. The devil is in the details…
The green house definitely comes from the avanti but Touring got rid of the awkward wheel arches and gemerally cleaned the design up so it all fits together.
I always thought the Maserati Mistrale inspired the styling for the Interceptor.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Maserati_Mistral_4000_red_vr.jpg
BMW follows suit, though a bit re-arranged
Hey, it’s a BMW without a Hofmeister kink!
there is a bmw feel to the light treatments on the middle car
Sorry, needs big wraparound rear fastback window at least to qualify.
This might do.
At the same junkyard where I bought the Biscayne there’s an Avanti II sitting out in the yard, awaiting its date with the crusher 🙁 .
I would have bought it too, but didn’t have the cash or a place to store it.
Interesting, the Avanti connection is one I’ve never made, but now you mention it… And that Brasinica I’ve never heard of, but yes, definite evolutionary theme going on. I stumbled across a (Ford?) concept car from the 1960s with definite Interceptor overtones too – will try to find the photos.
And here we go, the Ford Mustang Bertone concept car from 1965:
I see a little first-gen Barracuda in there too.
As reprised by Toyo Kogyo:
Another one we never had in the States. What model would that be?
Oh, we indeed had it in the States – as the Mazda RX-5.
I stand corrected. Not only have I never seen one in the metal, I didn’t know of its existence.
The problem is, now I want one.
Maybe it’s just me, but I detect a distinct lineage between the Bertone and the Interceptor, especially around the proportions, front wings, door glass, windscreen, bumpers, chrome sill molding. The glass house isn’t nearly as nice as the Interceptor though.
Yes, there is some resemblance…
One of my favourite cars, big fan of Euro/American exotica here.
Used to really want an Interceptor, and came close to purchasing one a couple of times when prices for good ones were about 7k. Still like the looks, but I think, for me, the interest has waned to where even if price was not an issue, I would looks elsewhere. Too great a tendency to rust, too thirsty.
Wow, great comparo Paul. I never drew the connection between the styling of the Interceptor and the Avanti. I would have to say that this is a case of “God is in the details” for me though. The Avanti looks like a cheap car and the Interceptor looks classy & rich.
I would have to disagree with that. I find the Avanti to be a much purer design expression. While I do like the Jensen, it has always had a bit of the cobbled together look to my eyes.
I agree. The Interceptor is sexy, but it looks like the first sketch of something that was meant to be worked out a bit more.
The “similarity” conclusion between Avanti and Interceptor is appropriate for the side profiles (which is all we are shown), less so for the rear ends, and ZERO for the front views.
Well yes; they had to make them look a bit different, eh? And front ends are easy to make them look different, yes?
I think the Jensen is the better looking of the three. The Avanti just looks “off” while the Brazilian GT’s rear end is too short and the design looks unbalanced. The Jensen is just right.
The Jensen Interceptor was featured in the last issue of Octane magazine. There was some discussion on the Jaguar Forums that this car was a factor in Jaguar’s development of the XJS. I believe that the Interceptor came out in 1969 just when Jaguar was trying to develop the series three E type into a true luxury GT. The E type design did not take kindly to these mods as the 2+2 platform was used which resulted in a higher roof and some ungainly proportions. I would imagine that every Jensen sale had to come out of the E type’s buyer’s pool. The Jensen’s styling was much more modern and it included it’s luxury amenities in a more integrated manner. By the time the XJS was released in 1975 it matched the Jensen’s styling and luxury with superior engineering specs and performance. While the Chrysler V8 was quite powerful it couldn’t compare with the Jaguar fuel injected V12 and fully independent suspension. The first series Interceptor used kingpin type front suspension combined with unassisted steering and leaf spring rear suspension. The Interceptor always remained a limited production vehicle which has contributed to it’s current high value. Still they are a pleasure to look at.
Correction: Actually the Jensen was on the cover of the June issue of Thoroughbred and Classic Cars magazine. These all Brit mags start to look the same.
I heard an anecdote about the Jensen’s proclivity to rust once. It seems they don’t rust in front, due to the mass quantities of oil thrown out by the engine. The rest of the car was not so fortunate.
My goodness, I’ve never understood what people see in the Avanti. It’s always seemed an awkward design.
I’ll gladly take an Avanti off your hands
I’ll take one of each please. Does anyone have a spare oil well to feed the interceptor?
The original Studebaker Avanti was more attractive than the Avanti II because of its wedge profile. From what I have been told by owners, the Avanti II had to be jacked-up in the front to fit the Chevy V8 (maybe due to a deeper oil pan). They tried to compensate by moving the wheel arches downward, but the effect is that Avanti IIs look chunkier than the original Studebaker version. Shown here is a comparison.
The name of the Company is Brasinca, not Brasinica. The perfect one would be the Interceptor with the Avantti’s side windows and Uirapuru doors design.