Highlights of Previous News
If you want to see what has been news in the 541 community in the past months and years, take a look below.
Happy Browsing!
** Warning - they are now out-of-date **
A new exclusion zone for petrol cars not meeting Euro 4 now applies in London. How does this affect the 541 owner?
All vehicles that have a historic vehicle tax class will be exempt from the ULEZ.
All vehicles registered before 1 January 1973 will be exempt from the ULEZ, regardless of commercial use or otherwise.
If your vehicle meets the above criteria and is registered in the UK, it is automatically exempt and you don't need to register. If your vehicle meets the above criteria but is registered outside the UK, you are also exempt, but will need to register.
Oil Leak fix
** Featured again in 541.com as it is a bargain at £60 plus VAT, and keeps your driveway clean. **
Austins - and many other British cars of the 1950's - have an irritating design flaw and the Jensen's DS5 is no exception.
Oil is prevented from escaping through the rear crankshaft bearing by a spiral groove on the end of the crank, which at high speed draws
the oil back in (using the principle of an Archimedes screw) and hurls it back into the sump. Unfortunately, when parked it is
completely ineffective and, worse, leaks badly if the car is parked on a gradient.
Modern technology and oils means that even a 541 can now be retro-fitted with a more conventional seal, which should be completely drip proof under all circumstances.
The firm that has grasped the opportunity to market a kit aimed at 541 owners is Denis Welch Motors.
In their own words:
When fitting this kit it will require some machining to the crankshaft and cylinder block so therefore can only be fitted during a total engine rebuild. Although full instructions are supplied it is recommended that this kit is fitted by us or a qualified engineer.
It is worth spending the money as, when fitted correctly, it really does stop those annoying oil leaks!
FUZZ WATCH
SHAKEDOWN FINISHED
Motoring TV star and journalist Fuzz Townshend has finally done some long trips in his 541 (it was spotted parked up in Warwick) with very few shakedown issues. Ask him about the collapsed hub at some point - it is a very long story of what it took to fix.
Unfortunately, despite his earlier plans to keep it forever, he may need the money for further projects so it may acquire a new owner.
Click on the image to enlarge it.
Credit: Fuzz Townshend
Spot-On Image
In every Spot-On model box (so called because each model was spot-on 1:42 scale, unlike Corgi or Dinky) there was a car with an image of the car on it. The one of the 541R was a rather garish yellow with black roof - but this combination still exists at club events to this day!
GOOD NEWS: New Solid State Regulator enters the market
I noticed the Clover website for the neatly designed RB340 / RB310 replacement unit had closed, and after making enquires the owner replied:
"Unfortunately due to health issues, I have had to retire, and so we no longer make or sell the Dynamo Regulators. Gordon Rudd, Clover Systems"
The UK site
ElectroDynamic Solutions Ltd., www.edsltd.ddns.net
(opens in New Window)
should be able to fulfil your needs, and the resulting unit should allow the dynamo to charge your battery much more efficiently at low speeds without the need to install an alternator conversion.
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: Problems with the 541 website pictures
Due to irreversible changes to the jensen541 hosting server, many images and headings on this site are not appearing correctly. I have corrected the main page and this News page, but the rest of the site will be a mess until I can find time to change hundreds of entries.
PLANNING 2019
Check out our attractive and clear Events planner on the Forum to see what is on offer over 2019
2019 International Weekend: the premier UK meeting for Jensen enthusiasts.
This year’s International Weekend will be at the Mercure Hull Grange Park Hotel, Hull on 21st, 22nd & 23rd June. This hotel is again one built beside a traditional 19th century manor house boasting 12 acres of landscaped gardens.
On Saturday morning we will hold out Annual General Meeting (AGM) your chance to hear what is planned and influence it should you wish. Following this we will embark on our planned drive through the beautiful Yorkshire countryside incorporating lunch.
In the evening we will have our annual dinner dance, this will include Ian Northeast describing the heroic expedition to demonstrate the fastest C-V8 and possibly the fastest Jensen on the Bonneville Salt Flats, entertainment and dancing.
The ever popular Concours competition will take place on Sunday despite rumours of its demise. We will again be having Bench Marking, allowing experienced owners of your model to provide helpful comments and hints on your model. The club provides valuations for members, a limited number of appointments will be available at the weekend (eliminating unnecessary travel). It is of course essential to book appointments for both Bench Marking and valuations.
Visit the
Events' Diary at the Jensen Owners' Club for more information
(opens in New Window)
541 owner and restorer David Preston posted on Facebook here:
Facebook page
(opens in New Window) to ask for the opinion of readers.
He said:
I'm a bit of a purist and like to keep trimming as close to original as possible but after getting some information from a group member regarding carpeting I thought the front foot well side panels with sliding external panels for heater air flow was a little untidy, albeit original. So I decided to make the vent shut off panels on the back face for a cleaner look and covered in vinyl to mach carpet edge binding and other panels as it's easier to clean. Before I commit and fix, what do members think?.
Do you want to add to the discussion on Facebook?
SHOPPING UPDATE: OXFORD MODELS
Good news: diecast model manufacturer Oxford Diecast have announced that their delightful, and very small, model of the 541R will soon be available in a new colour, "Metallic Royal Blue".
Due for release Late 2019 / Early 2020, you can register your interest directly with
Oxford
or place a pre-release order with dealers such as
Hattons or
Time Tunnel Models
(open in New Windows) (no connection with me).
The latter claim "This model will likely only be supplied to pre-orders and will not be stocked after release."
If you are too impatient to wait, or are happy to order one of the stocked colours of Green, Reno Red or Imperial Crimson (maroon), then you can own one right now for under £6
link to Oxford Diecast.
This is a bargain for one of the nicest, nost detailed and accurate models you can buy.
These are a couple that I own:
TECHNICAL UPDATE: Cooling Hoses
As far as I know, only one company can currently provide an accurate new set of hoses for the radiator and cooling system of the 541, 541R and 541S. This is the result of Club Forum members approaching the company and arranging to set up a bulk order some years ago.
You can create your own set using off-the-shelf hoses and angled joints, look out for original old-stock parts, or order from
Classic Silicone Hoses Ltd .
(They warn: "PLEASE BE AWARE – A SCAM WEBSITE HAS BEEN SET UP SIMILAR IN NAME TO OURS. OUR WEBSITE IS NOT AN E-COMMERCE WEBSITE AND WE ONLY TAKE PAYMENTS OVER THE PHONE, VIA BANK TRANSFERS AND BY PAYPAL").
The Classic Silicone Hoses options are all in long-lasting silicone, and can be modern shiny black, matt rubber look, or a period "wrapped" look, although they are all identical in structure.
One final option is to fit a universal convoluted hose, similar to that seen on early 541s back in the 1950s. You should make sure that these are NOT just "get-you-home" hoses as they are not robust enough for permanent use. Below is a convoluted hose that lasted on a 541 journey all over Europe.
Let us know your experiences.
WHAT'S THAT CAR?: An occasional series
541 owners are often told about a car that someone has seen that just might be a 541 (it usually turns out to be a Scimitar...) so here for your information and entertainment are a couple of cars that share features with the Jensen, not least the fibreglass bodywork.
Firstly, the Arista Passy. A French contemporary of the 541, it was noted for its light weight - not a charge that can be levelled against the Jensen! - and was fittd with a tiny 850cc 2-cylinder Panhard flat twin engine. It struggled to get past 80mph but was very stylish.
And now a modern take on the 541 shape, the Czech Luka. The two-seat Luka uses four 12.5-kW in-wheel electric motors with 66 horsepower. 0-62mph takes a leisurely 9.6 seconds. Top speed is 90 mph. It weighs a little less than 1,800 pounds, with an aluminium alloy chassis and fibre-reinforced plastic body. Its 21.9-kWh NiCoMn battery pack provides 186 miles of driving range. Journalists are quite keen on its charm, but despite the similar styling cues I feel it misses the style of its 1950s predecessor.
MORE 541 DISPLAY PANELS No more boring manuals
18 fascinating posters dealing with restoration
More of Brian Galpin's amazing pictures of his 541 rebuild in "Graphic Novel" cartoon panel style - well worth a viewing.
He is no longer running his own website, so he has agreed to let them be featured
on this site until he needs them again. There are 18 panels in all;
click below for the last six.
Due to their extreme size, they may take a while to load.
There is a website showing the work done over the past few years by lucky amd hardworking owners the Wilsons:
jensen541-24.weebly.com
CAR OF THE MONTH:
...freshly restored early racing 541.
Bought a few years ago from serial restorer Dave "Pilkie" Pilkington, TPX 212 was in the sort of condition that many would describe as "unrestorable". It is now green and back on the road in immaculate condition (see video clip above).
Credit: The late Dave Pilkington.
... Literally in "fowl" condition!.
PART OF THE MONTH:
...the 541 has many interesting and unique parts... here's one of them...
541 fuel tank
Notice the cutout to accommodate a spare wheel, and the ribs to give strength. It also has internal baffles. Yes, I did put it in a nettle patch for the photo and, yes, they do sting!
Come back next time for another obscure part!
In their own words:
When fitting this kit it will require some machining to the crankshaft and cylinder block so therefore can only be fitted during a total engine rebuild. Although full instructions are supplied it is recommended that this kit is fitted by us or a qualified engineer.
SHOPPING UPDATE: OXFORD MODELS
TECHNICAL UPDATE: Cooling Hoses
WHAT'S THAT CAR?: An occasional series
