OUR ROYAL CONNECTION?

After considerable research and the passage of nearly 60 years, I think I can finally shed some light on the enduring mystery of the name that was REJECTED for the 541 - and there's a very regal connection.
Back in 1977, Colin Riekie, designer of the 541 with Richard Jensen and Eric Neale, wrote an article in which he claimed that numbers instead of names were becoming fashionable and that there was a suggestion by Eric Neale that the car should be called after the year of its production:
The "'53 model 1" or "531".
This idea was vetoed by Richard Jensen on the grounds that it would be confused with the number of a Cunard trans-Atlantic liner currently being built. At that point, it was decided that the American system would be followed of introducing in 1953 the 1954 model, making it the 541.
Despite much checking I have been unable to locate a shipyard in the UK or the world which was building at that time a major ship with the number 531. So why was this comment recorded?

My theory is that another name was proposed based on the 1953/4 dates, making it the 534. At last we have a connection! If I can take you back just another 23 years to 1930 , we find that Britain was in a bitter struggle with Germany to "rule the waves" by having the fastest and biggest ocean liners. A major new Cunard liner was planned. Construction on the ship, then known only as "Hull Number 534", began in December 1930 on the River Clyde by the John Brown shipyard in Scotland.




Work was halted in December 1931 due to the Great Depression. Newspapers had a field day and "Hull 534" was a phrase that everyone knew. Eventually, after 3 years of being front-page news as a British failure, Cunard applied to the British Government for a loan to complete 534. It is my contention that THIS was the number referred to and vetoed by Richard Jensen as too similar to a well known ship name.
And what of Hull 534? A huge naming ceremony was held and to everyone's surprise it was named Queen Mary - a successful ship that still exists in California today.




To see a Pathe Newsreel of the launch, click the picture below.

UK MOTs

From November 18th this year, owners of vehicles manufactured before 1960 will not have to have to take them in for an MoT. That's all 541 and 541 deluxes, and some 541Rs. The decision, which has met with a mixed response, was championed by multiple Jensen owner MP Greg Knights. He said: " Accidents involving historic vehicles are extremely rare and the majority of owners are meticulous in keeping their vehicles in good condition. Having to have an annual MoT test for a vehicle which may only travel a few hundred miles in a year was costly and absurd."

YOU'RE NEVER ALONE WITH THE CLASSIC CAR APP

Colin and Di Mayes, from the JOC Regalia section, have brought out an i-phone app for i-phone, Android and Blackberry which lets you track down what's on and where and all the details when you are planning a visit to a classic event. More details of the free CLASSIC CAR APP are on our Links page here.

COMING SOON

I have obtained some quotes by racer Gerry Marshall about his 541R, and a couple of photos. Mike Byrne briefly met him - has anyone else talked to him about Jensens? Any more info welcomed!

REGALIA

Coming to the International Weekend? Bring your wallet as the Regalia stall will be there, and you can avoid postage charges and buy fragile items (like the mug pictured) without them having to be posted.

Or buy via this Link to Regalia.

S in OZ

A keen Jensen enthusiast in South Australia has added a 541S to his Interceptor and Jensen-Healey collection.
After being imported from Ireland 30 years ago it has lain disused so the usual restoration work is required.
If anyone has any information or help I'm sure he'd love to hear from you on the Forum (User id: PeterJ1957).

PEAK SEASON 2012

Use our list of Events on the Forum to see what is on offer this summer:

Open the JOC Forum Events Diary (new window)

Darren Barnes (541 owner!) has taken over from Zac Marshall so he is the person to contact now if you want to add to the list on the JOC Forum.

There's a couple in there I'll be going to: 21st July at the 'Ace Cafe', London, and 28-29th July, Jensen C-V8 50th Birthday Party at Studio 434 and Waddesdon Manor.
What's on in YOUR area?

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!

If you've got an item about the 541, consider submitting it to the JOC Magazine, or putting it on the JOC Forum.


To contact the Jensen541.com webmaster :

Stephen Carter - email at: Jensen541.COM email link

Why so happy?


Ah... New toy...

BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT    HM AND THE 541

I am indebted in this Jubilee month to be able to relay a story given especially to Jensen541.com by renowned motorsports journalist and multiple author Mike Lawrence, known for his encyclopedic knowledge and memory. Although the outlines appeared in Richard Calver's "All the Models", Mike was able to fill in details from the story as directly told to him by the man involved:- friend of the Jensen family, Jensen main dealer and acquaintance of the Royal family, Michael Alexander Hunter Christie. I hope to provide more information on this interesting character shortly!

Michael Christie, once prominent in British hillclimbing and a pal of the Ninth Duke of Richmond and Gordon, owner of Goodwood, was a motor trader and he took delivery of one of the first 541s, one of the most beautiful cars ever made. The Duke invited Christie to an August Goodwood horse meeting, because he wanted a whirl in the car. Prince Philip arrived, having been playing polo at Cowdrey Park, saw the new car and demanded to drive it. He was in the market for a special car, he then drove a Lagonda 3-litre and replaced that with an Alvis 3-litre.

Prince Philip with Michael Christie's personal 541

Philip and Christie returned to Goodwood House at about the same time HM arrived from the nag track. She said, 'Why should you have all the fun?' Her Majesty paused only to snaffle a lady-in-waiting, who fitted in the back and then she lapped Goodwood in a Jensen. Michael Christie told me that she was a much driver than Philip, but then HM had been in the Transport Corps while her consort had been a matelot.

ATS training for the Princess Elizabeth

HM said to the Duke, 'We look forward to seeing Mr Christie at the ball tonight.' That was a royal command neatly wrapped. Michael had gone to Goodwood wearing racing togs and so there was a bit of fluster getting him kitted out with a DJ. Who, in the 1950s, had a DJ? The Goodwood estate manager, that's who. Michael had to borrow the Duke's bedroom slippers, which were black.

The green 1955 Jensen, chassis 541/29 was last recorded by Calver in 1974 - does anyone know where this historic Royal car is now?

INTERNATIONAL WEEKEND  8th-10th June

NEWCOMERS WELCOME NEXT WEEK!

If you're a Club member, you'll probably know all about the annual International Weekend.   But what if you are just browsing, thinking about buying a Jensen or perhaps remembering one that used to be in your family?   How can you possibly get an invitation?  The answer is to simply TURN UP!   There is no admission charge, the hotel usually lets you park nearby if there is enough space, and if you want to speak to anyone just walk up and ask them (although not concours entrants before 10am on Sunday, who will be very busy preparing their cars).

So if you are undecided about getting involved with Jensens and the Friendly club,  put the 2012 JOC International Weekend in your diary.
Located in the Midlands, the Weekend will be on 8th - 10th June at a large Hotel named Chesford Grange, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LD.   Rough timetable will be:
� 8th June Meet and greet.
� 9th June AM - AGM
� Followed by classic run or shopping
� 9th June Evening - Dinner/Dance

� 10th June Concours
This year, the Concours will again be part of the International Weekend.

Find out more on the Club website here, and follow the links on the right of the page when it opens.

JAGUAR JEC INTERNATIONAL   24th June

Dave Newby says "The Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club have invited the JOC, as a guest Club, along to their International Weekend at Weston Park on 24th June. This date does not clash with anything in the JOC calendar and should provide a good day out seeing how "the other half" live.

Find out more on the Forum here.

FERRARI OWNERS CLUB CONCOURS   8th July

They really are falling over themselves to sign up the JOC!
Colin Mayes reports that "The Ferrari Owners Club have very kindly invited the JOC to attend their Concours day at Boughton House Nr Kettering Northamptonshire.
At this event they normally get over 100 cars of all models and years. Like our Concours day, they have two Car Parks, one for entries and one for non-entries, they will make an area so all Jensen will be parked together. There will be an entrance fee of �20.00 per car, this is to help cover costs. Lunch will be available at our cost. If you wish to join please contact me as we will need to be booked in."
Boughton House.
Find out more on the Forum here.

MAINRALLYE NAVIGATION  Event Report

Main Oldtimer eV is a new classic car club based around Frankfurt in Germany. With all models of car welcomed, they aim to keep cars in use by staging regularity rallies. On April 1st, they kicked off the season with the MainRallye. Divided into two classes (Sports and Classic), it seems that teams had to meet target times and navigate accurately. A smart blue 541 driven by family team of H�lz & H�lz, and bearing the number 47, took part. From my reading of the results sheet it didn't exactly sweep into the lead. Ah well, next year maybe?

Picture credit: Hannelore Schulmeyer

Picture credit: Manfred Winkler

PRACTICAL CLASSICS TEST    D MINUS, SEE ME!

Darren Barnes' immaculate green early 541 was invited to take part in a test of "The Healey 3000 vs.its Rivals" for Practical Classics magazine.



After comments such as:
..."its road manners are impeccable"
"...under acceleration its throbbing roar belies its West Midlands industrial heritage."

...they sum everything up with a points table which they then added up wrongly, putting the 541 last instead of second. D minus for arithmetic.

Still a nice article, and they concluded that ALL the cars are flawed but worth having.

GOLDEN JUBILEE PARADE 2002  Event Report

Ten years ago, a parade of cars from the 50 years of the Queen's reign drove down the Mall to celebrate the Golden Jubilee. Amongst the cars from the 1950s was the magnificent pink 541 of Leonard Boulton. Unfortunately I no longer have any pictures of this but the Queen is seen below sitting in the Mall watching the parade, including such cars as the Lagonda pictured.



The parade started under conditions of complete secrecy at 8am at RAF Northholt. With the Police escort not apparent, a Morris Minor led the assembled cars to the Mall and Horse Guards. The vehicles lined up in the appropiate decades. Thanks to the Standard Motor Club for the picture below, which sadly omits the Jensen from the lineup. Following a long wait with various celebrities the main parade started and drove down the Mall to Buckingham Palace watched by tens of thousands. The cars rounded the Victoria Memorial where the Queen and Prince Philip, sitting on their podium only feet away, enthusiastically spectated.

Picture credit: Standard Motor Club

CAR OF THE MONTH:

   ...this month - the Jubilee parade car!

Lennie Boulton's immaculate two-tone pink 541R. The history of this car is well recorded and when new it was a last-minute addition to the Earl's Court Motor Show.
The distinctive colour scheme was the personal choice of Alan Jensen, who had a soft spot for this colour combination.

... 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...

CROWN wheel from the Salisbury Dana-type rear axle.

Picture credit: Mike Byrne

Come back in a month for another obscure part!