Barn find 69 Jensen FF

[BKBridges]

Been a busy few weeks but we finally decided to pull the FF out of the toy box and start figuring out what it needs... The FF is one of 320 full time four wheel drive Jensens built between 67 and 71. It uses the Ferguson system developed by Harry Ferguson of Massy Ferguson tractor fame. The FFs were one of the most expensive cars produced during that time frame. They are RHD only. We winched the FF into the toy box from the barn 3 years ago and this is the first time in 25 years that its been worked on. We are going to go through the mechanicals, which appear to be in great condition, first, then do the cosmetics. Underneath you will find some very different components than one would normally find in a car. Bruce

[fast Ed]

Big block Mopar power amd AWD, you gotta love it! That is a rare beastie for sure.

Keep us updated!


cheers
Ed N.

[JOES66FURY]

so.bad.ass....

I cant wait to see more...

[SuperBuickGuy]

hmmm... english car with english wiring... I think I see its problem - you're missing the genuine Lucas bottled wiring smoke. Maybe if you add a battery it'll replenish?

cool car

[milner351]

It's a sportscar with a tractor underneath!

Whoa- that's different for sure....


ah - Lucas - the prince of darkness...

[Huskinhano]

Now that's different. I remember them. Good thing most of the drivetrain is good ol' USA.

[BKBridges]

The motor and trans are all Mopar: High compression 383 with a 727 torqueflite. Everything else is British. Salisbury powerlok diffs, Ferguson Engineering magic chain driven transfer case. GKN alloy wheels (from a later Interceptor). The diff guts can be replaced with Dana 44 stuff if necc (was in my other Jensen Int). Were not going to build this car up, just get it into stock running condiditon and reliable. Parts are not very available for any of the Ferguson stuff, so we are crossing our fingers re: transfer case "goodness". The machine shop is my backup. The fluid looked good. The Armstrong coil over shocks in the front (4 total) are also made from unobtainium, so some careful evaluation and resto work will need to be done there...(anyone ever rebuild a non-rebuildable monotube shock themselves? Not I)...It sure is nice having a friends "real" shop to work in. No one mentioned the cars in the background...
BKB

[Mater]

quad front coil springs? that's diffrent. and the under hood room looks liek you could put another engine in front of the 383 lol

[Beagle]

quad front coil springs? that's diffrent. and the under hood room looks liek you could put another engine in front of the 383 lol

my thoughts exactly.... or another couple of cylinders.

Either I didn't scroll, or I didn't see any other cars?

Did it come with a 383? I thought they were using 440's... still way cool! I had a soft spot for Jensens when I was a kid. Ahh, who am I kidding. I still do.

[Darren N.]

Neato! This car is all new to me.

Considering the AWD system, how much does one of these things weigh in at?

[BKBridges]

Neato! This car is all new to me.

Considering the AWD system, how much does one of these things weigh in at?

The FF weighs about 3900 lbs. A Grand Touring car. The FF AWD system was originally implemented in a fiberglass bodied car (CV8), but the design was deemed ugly by the press (they look like a 50s Viper IMO) so they had Vignale design a new body made out of steel and welded it to the orig CV8 Chassis... Overkill. The cars came with high comp 383s until 71, then they fitted the 440 HP, and about 400 440 six packs to the FFs replacement, the SP, but gone was the cool Ferguson Formula AWD. They lost money on every FF they sold (320) supposedly. check out www.thejensenff.com for the full story. More pics by the weekend.
BKB

[milner351]

Neato - there sure are a lot of surprises in the automotive world - learn something new every day. The niche manufacturers had some really cool ideas - and the nuts, freedom, and $$ to actually get the into production - that would be nearly impossible today with all the safety and epa regs. Very few are still doing it.

Is there anyway to replace the OEM shocks with something more available? air bags?

[Mater]

an interceptor has always been a dream car of mine that burnout pic does not help lol

[Whelk]

an interceptor has always been a dream car of mine that burnout pic does not help lol

Then you're gonna love this from Top Gear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifByHpz1oMQ

[mustang13]

I had no idea they made a 4x4 version. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BITCHIN'!!!!!

That thing needs to hit Hot Rod Power Tour next year.