1974 Jensen-Healey

After the final Austin-Healey 3000 rolled off the production line, Donald Healey found himself keen to replace the sports car and turned to Jensen for inspiration after becoming chairman in 1970. Two years later, the Jensen Healey was in production, powered by a 1973cc Lotus 907 unit and was built using parts and mechanics from Vauxhall and Chrysler. Stylistically, the Jensen- Healey had a nod to the trendy wedge-shaped designs of the era. Production finished just four years later and in the UK today, numbers are thought to remain under four hundred, making the Jensen- Healey an unusual sight on Britain’s roads.

This Jensen-Healey has been owned by one family and has a remarkable local history as XFX 25M was purchased by Mr and Mrs Douch of Sherborne, Dorset when XFX 25M was just two years old and has remained in the same family ever since.  Mr Douch was a garage proprietor in the town and was a keen Jensen Owners’ Club member, so much so that he travelled the country to various J.O.C rallies and concours events, winning several awards, most notably a first in class at Woburn Abbey in 1977 and 78, a second in class at Buxton in 1985 and another first at Sutton Coldfield two years later. From the 1990s onwards, partly due to business commitments and latterly poor health, the Jensen-Healey was infrequently used and as a consequence, is now possibly almost uniquely on the open market for the first time in forty-one years.

The past concours winning motor car would now benefit from some improvement to the paintwork and interior, but what an excellent opportunity to own a rare example of Britain’s eccentric design heritage!

XFX 25M is supplied with an original sales brochure, photocopies of the J.O.C Concours d’Elegance certificates, road test reports and magazines featuring the exact motor car, namely: Classic and Sports Car from June 1985, Sports Car Monthly from February ’87, on the front cover of Jensen Owners’ ‘White Lady’ from 1980 and an events guide. The history file also contains some invoices, MOT test certificates and the V5C registration certificate. 

Auction Date: 30 November 2017