'YOU TELL US...'
Later this year, it's hoped this site may feature short items about the following subjects:
* Early Glassfibre Cars
* Colin Riekie
* Eric Neale
* 541s with non-standard engines.
If you have any information which can help with this, please contact us via the email link lower down. Also, if you have anything to add or correct on the current site, do let us know!
... and can anyone shed any light on this advert for a "unique" car?
Jensen 541 October 1955, blue, specially designed tail, unique, numerous expensive extras, absolute showroom condition, £1,750. No offers. Phone, Liverpool Garson xxxx
The Motor, June 26th 1957
COMPUTER BUGS?
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Automated Browser Check:
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: This site is unfortunately not put together on high-tec equipment and there was a moment of panic last month when the old beige PC died. Parts were salvaged and put into a flashy new box and service was soon resumed!
: The main JOC site has had a bit of an update. Ian Proudfoot's splendid 541S has been demoted from "Featured Article" to a small picture link, but we have gained an advert for the Jensen541.com site.
LATE LATE NEWS
1957:
"The CRYSTAL PALACE MOTOR TRACK was engaged recently by Bardahl Products, Ltd., 39 Craven Road, London, W.2., to stage a practical demonstration of their products. The programme allowed participants to try out this well-known additive in their own cars, or in cars provided by a car hire firm, under controlled test conditions. In spite of the weather on March 6th when this demonstration was staged, a large gathering of motoring correspondents from the trade and national press ... were present, and in an almost continual downpour, took an active part. Amongst well-known motoring personalities were
Eric Richter of B.R.M., Wing Commander Lester, A. F. Rivers-Fletcher, F. C. Davis and John Young.
... A Jensen 541 with a petrol consumption of 15.5 m.p.g. on the first circuit, attained 20.3 after the addition of this lubricant."
BUYERS GUIDE
If you already own a 541 you might want to skip this, but there is a Buyers Guide on the homepage (index2).
HOT FUZZ
Practical Classics are continuing their 541 restoration diary.
Fuzz Townsend is in charge of it and guess who he turns to for advice? (recently on Gearbox mounts and paint colours)
Yes, he is a member of the JOC Forum.
Join the Club, join the Forum, use the Forum!
If you've got an item about the 541, consider submitting it to the JOC Magazine, or putting it on the JOC Forum. Otherwise, contact the Jensen541.com webmaster:
Stephen Carter
- email at:
Jensen541.COM email link
In at the Deep End - sunburnt website editor
Clothing items are still available from the JOC Regalia
...and that's still not my hair!
Visit the
JOC & 541 Forum!
(opens in New Window -
register for free to see the 541 section)
Visit the
Jensen Owners' Club:
(opens in New Window)
For Everything Jensen!
The Jensen541.com News Page was last updated on
KEEP IN TOUCH
This website is updated on or around the 1st of every month, and occasionally in-between.
Click here to open the Events Diary on the JOC Forum (new window)
LAKES WEEKEND October 22nd-24th
Jensen Owners' Club Lakes Weekend staying at the Kings Head Hotel and Inn.
www.lakedistrictinns.co.uk (new window)
Organised by the Yorkshire Area. Mark Maniatt (0113 2607455)
markjensen_yorksarea@yahoo.co.uk
Click here to view JOC Forum (new window)
CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW, NEC, Birmingham, 12th-14th November
www.necclassicmotorshow.com (new window)
JOC contact: Thelma Smith (01283 760535).
Advance £17.50 on the door £20.00
Special JOC Club price - £15 in advance (quote CLUBS10) (£1 booking fee)
PAST EVENT
A trip to the Ace Cafe in NW London was successful in every way except one - it poured!
The Turnages' 541R took pride of place in a huge row of Interceptors.
"Hot food and hot engines - a perfect combination"
Click here to open Ace Cafe London.com/ (new window)
Click here to open link on JOC Forum (new window)
Further (lower profile) meetings are scheduled - check Forum for details.
JOC INTERNATIONAL WEEKEND June 2011
Dave Newby, Club Chairman, writes:
I am pleased to be able to tell everyone that the dates and venue for next years International Weekend have now been finalised.
June 17, 18 & 19 2011
Alexandra House, Marlborough, Wiltshire.
Lots more detail will follow in due course, but just get the dates into your diary now, then you will have no excuses for forgetting
SMALL SCALE, BIG PRICES?
This site has recently been spotlighting the new 1:76 scale Oxford Diecast models of the 541. For those who are not aware of the importance of this model release, here is a (hopefully) complete history of model 541s.
When the car was still new, Spot-On models selected it for its 1:42 range. (Dinky and Corgi generally made their models "handsized" which meant changing the scales of bubble cars and Rolls Royces until they were similar in dimensions. Not so Spot-On). It came in a handsome cardboard box, with an illustration inside it, and a wide range of colours - many in typically 50's two-tone pastels. After 3 years, it was withdrawn.
These models fetch a minimum of £20 in poor condition on eBay, and over £100 at auction for a good one. To give you an idea, an empty reproduction box sells for £8! For its period, the model was reasonably accurate and of good quality.
Many years later, as company called "PP Copy" of Brighton made some models based on the old Spot-On casting, also in 1:42 scale. I don't know much about them, but production was minimal.
(Corgi Chief Designer Marcel R. Van Cleemput made a prototype model of the 541, but it was unfortunately never produced.)
We now have to skip forward to 1986 when a new company, Pathfinder models, chose the 541R as its first model, PFM 01. This was much more detailed, and a collectors model (nominally 1:43rd scale) but could look a little ungainly from some angles. It is highly collectible and frequently traded, and will fetch over £150. Most models have remained mint and in their box.
Finally, Oxford Diecast have made Jensen rather a speciality with numerous accurate releases of Jensen Interceptors in 1:43, and finally the delectable 1:76 miniature 541R in a range of colours. I personally cannot find fault with the proportions, and the detailing is superb although the wheels are "generic" rather than accurate wires or hubcaps. They are loosely based on real vehicles. In contrast to the other collectible 541s, cost is around £3.50!
NOTE: I have not located a picture of 434BFK, the 1960 "R" in Reno Red, although it is taxed for road use - does anyone know the owner? The other two cars are the actual models, despite some trim differences.
That's the full extent of models I know of. The Product Manager at Oxford Diecast told me: "The 541R would certainly make a lovely 1:43 model so you never know!".
Unfortunately, I do not know of any 541S or early 541 models. However, Club members will have recently received the July/August magazine showing how an enterprising modeller has created a 541 from an Oxford 541R!
PEKING TO PARIS?
Austin 4-litre Engine faces Tough Challenge
Recognise this?
It's the 541's engine in its original guise as engine of the Austin Princess A135 limousine. Generally, it has a reputation as being reliable and long-lasting, which is fortunate as two brave souls intend to use it as they drive from Peking to Paris in September. Here's a picture of their car undergoing testing.
To follow the rally, click on the link below. We wish them good luck! Click here for list of Entrants
RESULTS OF THE 2010 JOC CONCOURS
Click here to open results from the International Weekend
The Gold category winner was Keith Lee, whose 541 is shown below in the golden evening light of a wonderful International Weekend meeting.
ANOTHER YOUTUBE CLIP - showing off a 541S:
After the slick professionalism of the TV advert from last month, we bring you something different. This video is designed to help sell the car featured, but I'm sure its creator would agree that it could do with a little editing. Basically, after the first 30 seconds it vanishes into a small dot on the horizon for 1 minute and 20 seconds. On its return, it then hides behind the house for a further 10 seconds!
(If you are in the market, Google "541S for sale")
CAR OF THE MONTH: ...an occasional series of feature cars...
... this month - The star of the above video, pictured when it was painted red. For 8 years this picture decorated our Links page.
... previous featured car pictures are stored in an Archive page. Go to the "Toolbox" tab to find this.
PART OF THE MONTH: ...the 541 has many interesting and unique parts...
... here's one of them...
The Trico Illuminating Switch (reverse light) is the part of the month
Come back in a month for another obscure part!
