Quiz Archive

About # 164 : 1938 Jensen H-L1 V12 4 1/4 Litre DHC LHD (UPDATE, see read more)

No less than 14 competitors came up with the right make of car: Jensen! So the competition was within this small group of connoisseurs. Some interesting details. A few competitors thought the car never existed as a LHD... Another issue is the 'EA' licence plate that correctly was identified by Jos Theuns as being used for Jensen show models and prototypes. The typing varied about over all letters of the alphabet, but this in fact is a type H, five competitors agreed on that. Now only a handful remained, of which 4 gave the alternative option of the V12 Lincoln as powerplant...! (just like the "Editor's Choice" V12 Atalanta that was parked on the right of the quiz ;-))). This time it was again the deadly precision of.... ....Stuart Penketh that made him win # 164 ! Congratulations Stuart! We quote: "What this car is not :
Pre ’38 (ARP sign in Garage, post 1938 photo).
Post 46 ? factory bombed during war.
Jensen S type ? (1935-1945) ? “Small” Ford V8 engines
Jensen PW - (1946 to 1951) ? British engines.
Nash 4232cc S8 ? (Hint: large US built engine)

Therefore H type:
Jensen H-type (1938/9) HL1 Drophead Coupe L signifies the Lincoln Zephyr 4378cc V12 engine, the only one Jensen ever built. (editor: the only V12 Jensen? are you 100% sure about that Stuart? Other sources suggest there were four.)
15 H types produced, (13RHD with 2 LHD), (Saloon, Drophead Coupé, Fixed Head Coupé, Sports Touring, aluminium over ash bodies). Three-speed manual gearbox, Columbia dual-ratio axle. Transverse leaf “IFS”."
So far the words of winner Stuart. Mark Dawber found with relative ease a link showing the car during an earlier stage of the restoration in 2002 . Today's photo is showing the car nearing the completed restoration. Owner Mike Williams still is looking for the earliest history on his car. "December 1938 Jensen 4 1/4litre drophead built to special order for "a Hollywood film personality who wishes to remain anonymous" , with a Lincoln Zephyr V12 engine. About 15 of these larger Jensens were built with saloon, tourer and drophead bodies, but all others used the Nash straight eight engine and gearbox. It is coachbuilt with alloy panels over an Ash frame, chassis based on a lengthened Ford V8, with Columbia two-speed axle. The car is back in the UK and nearing the end of a total restoration. The identity of the first owner remains a mystery, so any leads as to where it was between 1938 and 1950 would be most welcome."

(editor: is it maybe the Clark Gable car as suggested by Rick Ford...? did he maybe change his mind and changed the order from 3,5 V8 into the V12.. ? why not ?) Check early Jensen materials (British-Steel.org)- We want to thank Mike Williams for this most entertaining material ! We will look out for a photo of Clark Gable in a Jensen....
Update by Kit Foster: Most journalists have been mistaken about Clark Gable and the Jensens. He did order a Jensen-Ford (not an S-Type or H-Type) but did not actually take possession. He did, however, pose often with a car owned by Percy Morgan, who had the Los Angeles Jensen agency and with whom he originally placed the order. Morgan once claimed to have imported this "HL" Type, but we haven't figured out the actual customer, celebrity or no. The car was subsequently sold to an American who kept it for around 50 years!

Friday, 16 September 2005