1957 Jensen 541 Deluxe Sports Saloon

• One of only 53 Deluxe models produced between 1957 and 1959
• Overdrive transmission
• Known ownership history
• Present ownership since 2004
• Major service in 2022

Although Jensen of West Bromwich espoused American Ford V8 and Nash engines in pre-war days, during the 1950s the company was closely associated with Austin. An outstanding though much under-rated Grand Tourer, the Jensen 541 embodied the Jensen brothers' traditional virtues of a big engine and high overall gearing in a smaller, sportier package than the Interceptor saloon's. The 541 deployed the latter's 4.0-litre Austin engine in a shorter, ladder-frame chassis, designed by John Riekie, which nevertheless contrived to offer significantly greater rear seat room than most of its rivals, while Eric Neale (previously with Daimler) laid out the new aerodynamic body.
Introduced at the 1953 Motor Show, the 541 pioneered the use of glassfibre bodywork and, like the Interceptor, used Austin A70-based suspension and transmission components but followed Jensen's own steering geometry, rack-and-pinion steering a later introduction. And if the four-speed gearbox was not the 541's strongest point, it mattered little, as the car could be left in top gear virtually all day, such was the torque of the Austin six. Despite being capable of 115 mph, the 541 possessed such a favourable power-to-weight ratio that this performance came with relatively modest fuel consumption.
One of only 53 Deluxe models produced between 1957 and 1959, 'YXA 202' was sold new via John Coombs' Guildford dealership to its first owner, Flowers Brewery Ltd of Trowbridge, on 17th May 1957. The second owner (from 1958 to 1988) was Mr Leonard Jackson, a member of the Jensen management team and founder of the Jensen Owners Club in the 1960s. He re-sprayed 'YXA 202' in British Racing Green and rallied the car in Europe as far away as Turkey. During Mr Jackson's custodianship the Jensen featured in Motor magazine's 8th November 1975 edition as the star of a full-page Castrol advertisement. The car still carries its Jensen Owners Club badge No.1.
Next owner Philip Hobbs (son-in-law of film director Stanley Kubrick) kept the Jensen from 1988 to 1993, during which time he spent some £30,000 on its restoration with Marcus Cars (in 1989). The fourth owner W Court (possibly a dealer) passed the car on within a year. Mr Colin Agombar then owned the '541' from 1993 to 2004 when it was acquired by our vendor. Restoration works have included fitting Coopercraft brakes; a stainless steel exhaust system; a new wiring loom; and four new tyres; together with re-carpeting interior.
In February 2022 the Jensen was with Chris Marsh Classic Cars for a major service at a cost of £2,648. The accompanying history file contains restoration and servicing invoices, and the car also comes with an old-style green continuation logbook; 11 tax discs (2004-2014); inspection reports; and a handbook.