1971 Jensen FF

JENSEN FF

The Jensen FF was a three-door, four seater grand tourer with a front engine and four-wheel-drive. It was made from 1966 to 1971 and is now regarded as one of the greatest cars of its era.

When the FF made its bow in the autumn of 1966, there were a few styling cues to distinguish it from the new Interceptor - the longer bonnet and the double vents in the front wings were the most obvious features - but it was both the first 4WD non off-road vehicle and it also boasted an anti-lock braking system. The FF stood for "Ferguson Formula" which was developed by the tractor magnate Harry Ferguson and it employed a spin-limiting differential to allow four wheel traction and road manners befitting a thoroughbred motor car. One drawback to the Jensen FF was that it was virtually impossible to build an LHD version, thereby limiting its sales in the crucial US market.

The disc brakes of the FF were via the Dunlop Maxaret set-up that had been (originally developed for aeronautical use. The steering was by Adwest power-assisted rack & pinion and the front suspension, which was unique to this Jensen, used independent twin coil springs and wishbones. At the rear were a beam axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, a Panhard rod and "Selectraride" adjustable shock absorbers. 425lbs of torque was split between 37% at the front and 63% at the rear.

When Motor magazine tested an FF in March 1968, the price was £6,017 - £1,499 more than an Interceptor - and the top speed was evaluated at 131 mph. Their conclusion was that it was 'quite simply, the best handling car of its size and power we have tested, with tremendous cornering power, wet or dry'.

After 195 cars the FF was facelifted as the Series II in 1969 and it now featured more comfortable seats, radial ply tyres and several other improvements. Production of the Jensen FF ceased in December 1971 after 320 units with 15 FF Series IIIs with new alloy wheels and a revised cabin built towards the end of its run.

Power for the Jensen FF was from 6.3-litre Chrysler OHV V8 engine with three-speed Torque-Flite automatic transmission.

To gain an idea of the Jensen FF's abilities, we shall once more quote that 1968 Motor report - 'Above all, it is wieldy and can be thrown about as if it were a car half its size and weight'.

The would-be Jensen FF owner should be prepared to a) search well for a car in good order b) bear in mid that early Series Is were Vignale built and are sought after and that a Series III is extremely rare and very very sought after. They should also join the Jensen Owners' Club - https://www.joc.org.uk/ - as restoring any version is not for the faint of heart. But many a devotee will tell you that it is worth it.

Alternatives to the Jensen FF included the Aston Martin DBS V8 and the Oldsmobile Tornado but really it was in a class of its own.