1956 Jensen 541

Description

Interesting restoration project; believed complete; rare car, one of only 546 made and relatively few surviving

Arguably the best-looking car ever to emerge from the West Bromwich factory, the Jensen 541 came out in 1955 with sporting lines penned by Eric Neale. Not just a pretty face, it was also remarkably aerodynamic with a Cd figure of 0.39, one of the lowest recorded at the time. 

The 541 had lightweight fibreglass bodywork consisting of three major mouldings and the entire front could be raised for easy engine access. The doors, the lower front wing panels and the outer sill covers were aluminium, the body being mounted on an immensely strong, tubular-framed chassis featuring independent coil-and-wishbone front suspension, a leaf-sprung rear axle, cam-and-roller steering and Girling hydraulic brakes.

Power came from a six-cylinder, triple carburettor version of the 4-litre Austin engine with 135bhp and bags of torque, mated to four-speed manual transmission with optional Laycock de Normanville overdrive, sufficient to launch the car to 60mph in just 10.7 seconds with a top speed of 115mph.

The motoring press loved it: "What really appeals is the outstanding manner in which it runs either quite gently or very, very quickly, according to the driver's wishes,” gushed Motor in September 1955. “Magnificent top-gear acceleration is available between 10mph and over 80mph, without any trace of a flat spot, and it is rarely necessary to change down for hill-climbing."

Sadly there is very little history with this car but the registration number, URH 777, would imply that it was first registered in Hull, a copy of an old-style V5 stating that it was built in 1956 and was first registered in February 1997 – so it had presumably been off the DVLA radar for some considerable time prior to that date, either abroad or in storage; who knows?

The copy V5 shows that it was owned by a Mr AR Pride of Harrogate from 1997 to 2023, our vendor acquiring the car just over a year ago in exactly the same state as you see it today. He had been intending to restore the car but with various other projects also on the go, he has come to realise that it could be a long time before he gets round to it, hence its appearance in this sale.  

Apart from the rear bumper and the front windscreen, which are clearly missing, the car is believed to be complete although bidders are advised to satisfy themselves on that score by personal inspection. The chassis plate is clearly visible, the registration number URH 777 is still associated with the car on HPI/Experian and in conjunction with the copy V5, it should be straightforward for the new owner to get a new V5C using the usual DVLA channels.

These really are fabulous looking machines that are very easy to live with and will cruise all day at 90mph at just 2,500rpm. Most parts are still readily available via the Jensen Owner’s Club and you can even buy a new chassis from Jensen specialist Ron Everitt-Clay of Worcestershire. New mirror-polished stainless steel bumpers are also available at modest cost from those excellent chaps at Group Harrington, and Pilkington still have moulds for the windscreen. The Austin engine is a simple lump to work on, although more than a few owners have opted to fit a Jaguar XK 3.8 engine instead, an easy swap which gives even better performance.

Only 546 were made (including the Deluxe; 541R and 541S) before the 541 was replaced by the C-V8 in 1963 and it seems that only a few dozen are still UK-registered today although many others survive in Germany and Holland where they are keenly prized by collectors. Owners tend to hang on to them for years so they don’t come up for sale very often.

With good examples now making £40k+, this handsome 541 looks mighty tempting at the modest guide price suggested and should leave ample scope for the restoration works required.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com