- Jensen CV8
Infobox Automobile
name = Jensen CV8
manufacturer = Jensen
production = 1962-1966
class =
body_style = 2-door saloon
engine = 5916–6276 cc V-8
transmission = 4-speed manual
3-speed automatic
length = 184 inches (4674 mm]
width = 67 inches (1702 mm)
height =
weight =
wheelbase = 105 inches (2667 mm)
predecessor =Jensen 541S
successor =Jensen Interceptor
designer = The Jensen C-V8 was asports car produced byJensen Motors .It was the successor to the 541 series of Jensen motorcars and shared their use of fibreglass as a body material (only the door skins were metal).
The C-V8 used big block
Chrysler engines, at first the 361 and from 1964 the 383 in³ which produced Auto bhp|330|0. A few were fitted with standard transmissions but most left the factory with the excellent ChryslerTorqueflite automatic. Since the majority of C-V8s were made for the British market, only 8 examples were made in left-hand drive (LHD) and such cars are prized today by European and American collectors.As a result of the fibreglass bodywork and the fact that the large twin-tube frame was set in from the perimeter of the car, many examples of this model have survived the years in better shape than many contemporary vehicles and continue to provide a comfortable high performance driving experience.
Being able to achieve a top speed of Auto mph|136|0, run the quarter mile (~400 m) in 14.6 seconds and 0 - 60 mph in 6.7 seconds made this an automobile one of the fastest production four seaters at the time.Fact|date=July 2008
The styling was done by the factory, and was ...controversial. It was decidedly unusual and the slant eyed look either repelled or attracted people with little middle ground. This perhaps contributed to the relatively small total production from 1962 to 1966 of 500 cars.
The car was upgraded to Mk II specification in 1963 with Selectaride dampers fitted to the rear. The 1965 Mk III had both pairs of front headlights made the same size and a dual circuit braking system.
The Jensen CV-8 Mk II was featured in the ITC television series "
The Baron " made in 1965/66.Two convertibles were made by the factory – a full cabriolet and a Sedanca that was only open above the driver and front passenger. A feature about the unique CV8 Sedanca, written by British motoring journalist
Paul Walton was printed in the June edition of Ruoteclassiche (Italy's leading classic car magazine).References
* [http://www.jensencv8.com/cv8_40years.htm The 40th anniversary of the CV8 celebrations]
* [http://www.users.bigpond.com/tfmuch/article_cv8.htm Detailed description of the CV8]
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