Hey Jay! I'm glad you finally got to get your hands on this car. My grandfather was the chief of design at Jensen and designed this car along with the 541.
I saw one of these in a deep bluish-black or purple parked near St. Paul’s in London as a teenager maybe 25 years ago. The most elegantly sinister car I’ve ever seen!
I feel the same way. I was kind of surprised when he said the front end was divisive. I think the car is one of the most stunningly beautiful I've seen
Fascinated to see this. This was the first car I was ever taken over 100 mph in. I was in the rear seat behind the driver, who was Jensen's chief engineer. We went storming up the Kenilworth road near Coventry and hit 100 going uphill overtaking a bus! Then flew through some S bends at 80. Thrilling stuff for a teenage boy dreaming of being old enough to drive soon. Back at the house was parked the Interceptor FF that was going to be shown at the motor show. He had got up in the middle of the night to drive up and down the motorway to put the hundreds of miles on so the automotive journalists wouldn't break an non run in car. With the all wheel drive, anti lock brakes and that shape it seemed like something from the future. Still love cars. Thanks Jay from bringing back the memory of a wonderful day!
I think it's very nice good looking car and with that engine better.. I had a old c10 Chevy truck and my brother in law was a mechanic down here in San Luis Mexico and was building a race car for an oval track in kind of mud or clay surface and was going to put a Dodge 383 but ended up with a Chevy 383 so I got the Dodge 383 and made it fit in 75 c10 and that thing was fast lots of torque!! Damm that was fast to make it stop was the trouble.. any ways nice Jay.!!!
I agree, love seeing what interests Jay enough to own one himself. I don't always need to see a huge, in depth car video either. This just touched on the points the owner was drawn to and sometimes that is enough
@@dookiebooger9967 Jay was the only reason I stayed up to watch TV after 11:35 pm. Now, they have Jimmy what's his face hosting, so now I just tune out.
Watching jay is like hanging out w my grandpa for 20mins everyday. I miss him and this gets me pretty close to those times in the garage as a kid. Thanks jay!!
Apparently, you weren't paying very close attention - he made a point of it in the video, while he was driving along especially, that this is one of the few cars he has acquired that he and his shop crew did not really have anything to do, aside from normal servicing - fluid checks/changing, put in new plugs maybe, some cleanup and checking for proper conditions, etc. - before he simply was able to begin driving it on a regular basis. So - no "work that had to be done to get it working 100%" was involved, really.
@@j.s.bridges1189 , if you were really paying attention, you'd have heard Jay state at 7:20 that the car had been cosmetically restored, but there were still a few things that they needed to do, like address the shocks not functioning properly. While he was driving, and praising the car, he again mentioned the shocks at 10:44 and at 15:50 that the radiator was an issue they were also going to check. "It might be too thick or too thin for California..." So yes, it does require some work to get it up to 100% I'd be interested in seeing how the shocks worked and why they couldn't ever seem to get them right.
O.k., I went back and reviewed the video, and while he did say that, as the car had been "cosmetically" restored, it had not been "mechanically" restored, and that he has not had it for more than a month or two - therefore, there are a few "little things" that they feel they want to take a look at, with an eye towards making some improvements mechanically - he then mentions a (apparently-minor) issue concerning the adjustable shock-absorber system that does not appear to be functioning as it supposedly should do - but he further remarks that, in fact, it appears that said adjustment system "never did" work just right. It's rather clear that this possible problem has not yet been addressed - yet, he's driving the car, and it appears to be working pretty-much o.k., so that doesn't seem to be much of a problem at all. The radiator does not seem to be a problem, really, either, as (again) the car's functioning quite well - it's just "a feeling" that he has that it might be running a bit warmer than would be ideal, given the location where they are in S. California. Like most "car guys", Jay wants to make things even better (if possible) than they already are - there are always improvements possible (marginal though they may be), especially given a car that is over 50 years old and has NOT been mechanically restored. Not to put too sharp a point on it - I wouldn't depend upon there being any sort of "follow-up" video featuring work on the shock system and/or the cooling system/radiator...that kind of "small stuff" will likely get addressed sometime in future - maybe - who knows? Even if it is - such relatively-minor stuff does not appear to be much - if any - of a problem at this point - would be, as you say, interesting to see such marginal-issues being addressed...but Jay's got a whole bunch of cars there, and there's always work to be done on old cars, y'know?...
Regular viewer but never commented before, but I had to chime in on this video, that is one of the most beautiful cars I've ever seen. The style is truly timeless, I love the side view, and the v8 sounds amazing in this context. Beautiful car, perfect for a Sunday drive. Thanks for sharing.
Snap Ken if I can call you that . The side view with the mind blowing good looks of the horizontal slash line above each wheel make it look like it’s doing a million miles an hour. I never knew this car existed until This video of Jays was suggested to me by another excellent UA-cam channel that you may enjoy called retropowercars who are just about to do a full resto mod on a rather sorry ‘barnfind’ example of the CV8.
The C-V8 is my absolute favorite car! just love the look and how nice these drive. A friend of mine owns one and we went out for a drive last December and as we parked it a small boy walked by and he screamed to his mother "looook a JEEENSEEEN!!!!"
I love how Jay seems to appreciate British and European styling more and more in these later episodes. I love American engines, especially the V8 sound, but covering these rare British car companies is a real treat.
I was a Technical Motor student in 1965 in the West Midlands and had the opportunity to visit the Jensen Factory in West Brom. They were making the CV8 then and also the body for the Austin Healey and modifying the alphine to fit the v8 tiger
My college roommate had a Jensen Healey. I remember being shocked when he popped the hood and it had a Lotus engine in it. A very fun car but parts were out of this world expensive. Jay’s 1965 Jensen C-V8 is beautiful!
Jay, your enthusiasm for these cars is what makes your videos the best. The fact that you maintain them so they run and drive is what makes it extraordinary. Especially like the solo presentations.
Also the fact that you know the history of the builder of every car,truck and motorcycle you own and operate impresses me. That alone sets you above most collectors of great motor vehicles.
I love when Jay shows his own cars. Don't get me wrong, it's great when Jay shows off other people's cars but there's a sense of pride and respect when Jay shows off his own cars that he and his team built/restored.
@D B Oh look everybody, a true American,he knows everything, just ask him. I guess anyone who doesn't know this, and every other goddamned car is a lesser human than Mr. D B I Know Everything.
D B there are a lot of somewhat more casual car/newly car enthusiasts who watch this channel and who have never heard of the CV8, if they Even know Jensen Motors. So take his comment as being directed at those people not devout car enthusiasts who know about rare foreign cars that they could not buy in their home country.
As a kid, 40 odd years ago, I can remember one of these sat rotting away in a car port in the middle of Gloucester, UK, knew what it was because of those distinctive headlights. Dreamt of saving and restoring it when I grew up but it had long gone by then. Thank Mr. Leno I really enjoy watching your channel, your passion and knowledge does you proud.
You have to love it. The C-V8 was a direct rival to the DB-5 in my mind. The C-V8 is much lighter weighing about 3,400 to 3,500 pounds compared to the 3,800 to 3,900 pounds of the DB-5. That was thanks in large part to the fibreglass body and the twin-tube frame. Which is also why there is hardly ever any mechanical or body problems with that car. The C-V8 produced around 330 HP and 425 torque. While the DB-5 produced 282 HP and 288 torque. Both had a factory claimed 140 MPH. However, I've heard that the C-V8 in Manuel form could hit 0-60 in about 5.3 seconds and the DB-5 could hit it in 6.3 seconds. A 5.3 second car might not be as eye popping today, but consider that the now mythical 1969 429 Boss was only able to hit 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. Although the 429 Boss is pure American muscle and deserving of all the praise it gets. This little C-V8 was the much more practical car to drive as an everyday driver and could out perform it in a lot of ways. Thanks for keeping this classic cars alive. I'm currently restoring my BMW E21 (Just wish I had the money to restore it faster) and was recently able to see a Glas-BMW 1600 GT. Both of those cars have understated appeal, just like the C-V8. I like it, definitely a good buy on your part, in my mind.
Have always loved the CV8. When I was a teenager in the 60's my friends dad had access to one. On the way back from the seaside two young guys in a Healey Sprite were itching to race so he obliged. He took it to 130 mph with four on board and us two kids waving bye bye to the Healey guys.It's still my main dream car.
The front end is definitely unique but very appealing to the eye for me. The interior of those old English cars are so beautiful compared to modern day cars.
Ricky Hildebrand It was the original intention to have a glas. They decided against it in the last minute. Detailing of the front headlights in the Mk1 and 2 is different.
I am a MOPAR, and Jaguar lover so Jensen and Facel are naturals for me. English coachwork and big block Chrysler engineering how can that be anything but great?. Great color too, I have two 6.0 V12s in Sapphire blue. I really enjoyed the video.
Lovely car. It has that quintessentially English blend of fine coachwork and elegant style -- nothing overstated -- with a rock solid American V8. Great find, thanks for sharing it with us.
Hi Jay, I just love all your videos !!! Whether they're American, English, French or Japanese. You are a truly magnificent ambassador for the automobile. Watching all those big capacity American motors, here in England, where anything over 1.4 litres is big, makes me envious of the American way. Then watching one of your videos for a German "large" 7 litre nineteen thirties racing car, i thought, hey, wait a minute, we have the Napier Railton (24Litre) race car in the brooklands museum just down the road from where i live !!!! What a car that was !!! Maybe some of the cars we have here are fantastic as well. Keep up the good work, "Jay Leno's Garage" is a fantastic channel.
50 yrs ago I served my apprenticeship at a Jensen dealership in Bucknghamshire England. always thought the CV8 was a good looking car. Hopefully I will see one or two at the Silverstone classic this year.
Stunning car J, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Jensen Interceptor since a neighbour had one from new in 1975 in Bristol U.K. which I had a ride in when I was 11 but this CV8 is something else and with that gorgeous classic V8 American burble, one of my favourites in yer little collection. Hi from the U.K.🇬🇧
Wow how cool of a car ! Can you imagine this unknown car driving around with a blower sticking out of the hood !! Not until your show did I know how many cars are mixed. Like this Jensen, British car with a Chrysler engine, a Crossfire with a Chrysler body and a Mercedes engine, Pantera a Italian car with a Ford engine ! How cool is all this ! Never seen or heard of any of these until I watched this awesome show of yours, thank you for introducing all this wonderful knowledge to me as well as the rest of the world Mr. Jay !
As always, Jay...thanks for sharing and broadening my car world. This is a beautiful example of lost art of car building...simple beautiful and effective...thank you always enjoy what you do and how you do it.
Yep, one of the best UK cars. Great to see something so unusual on the road. Jay just gets better with his choice of cars for this channel. Hugely appreciated . Thanks very much.
The headlights were meant to have glass covers like the early E Type Jags, but Richard Jensen dropped them as they reduced the lighting output. A couple of owners in the UK have had them made and they look great. Get your sparky to check the wiring to the ammeter, it can get hot and burn out. There is a great Jensen Owners Club in California, so worth joining.
Having viewed so many of your relaxed and enjoyable videos, I‘m surprised how very much our tastes in cars overlap. I look forward to every one of your videos appearing. Thanks for making the effort and delighting all of us gear heads around the world with your gems, your insights and your experience. Hooray from Germany.
well i love the concept , the color , the shape the chrome , the interior . and the thumping great V8 ! beautiful car Jay. i think we should be allowed to buy non safety standard cars if we wish to die in style .
I own a Jensen CV-8 for >43 years now. It been on- and off the road for different reasons but mostly because of no time to drive it. Every time I bring it out, I get comments on the looks, the history etc. I see the comment of Spenser Neal down here, I met his grandfather at one of the Jensen Owner's Club meetings in the UK and enjoyed his comments on some smaller modifications I had made to the car. Not a man of many words, but still I like to think he approved of what I did. I enjoyed your video and hope you will be able to enjoy the car for a long period of time. By the way, I believe Neil Young owns a Jensen 541, maybe the two of you can get together one day and compare the two vehicles.
Dear Jost, I have to say that not using your CV8 may be a heinous crime - but you can fix that easily, if you haven't already? - what about making one day every week your 'take the Jensen to work day' ?- its what my neighbour does with his lovely Mk2 Jag. They only go better if they are used more......I make a point of taking my 65 Mustang out once a week to 'stop the seals going hard, and to get the condensation out of the bodywork', any reason will do. Hope you find the time to enjoy it more.......
This is the most beautiful car I've ever seen... Takes the cake over American classics in my opinion (and I'm a lifelong Mustang owner and love all sorts of muscle cars). :)
I remember seeing these at the London Motor Show when I was a little boy. I thought they were fantastic back then. There was a 'FF' all wheel drive version on display as well. I don't think this went into production. Jay's example looks to be in mint condition. I am green with envy. Thanks for sharing and bringing back some great memories for me!
Yes the CV8 FF was a prototype, the production FF was a modified Interceptor's Vignale design, different bonnet, wings (fenders) and the two side intakes behind the front wheel vs the Interceptors one, as the FF was longer. FF developments made several cars with the FF system, including a Mustang IIRC
My father had one of these for a couple of years in the 60s and I can still remember sitting in the back as a little boy with my brother, no seat belts, going everywhere fast. Everybody who saw it stared at it in wonder. We had an "I Spy..." book of cars to keep us amused on long car journeys and our CV8 was the highest scoring model of car in the book, on the final page. He traded his 541R to buy the CV8, it was a silvery metallic blue, and we loved it to bits. The speedo was optimistic, I remember. The CV8 was for a while the fastest genuine 4-seater in the world, but the top end was around 135mph. I can remember seeing the needle touch 150 which impressed the hell out of me, until years later when I read what they could really do. He traded the Jenny for a Renault 4 (plus a very big pile of cash), which was a huge shock!
Having owned a CV8 and Interceptor at the same time for 7 years, I can say that the CV8 is a lot faster than the interceptor. It's the lighter weight that does it. I also have a fibreglass Marcos GT and the build quality of the CV8 is in a different class altogether. Jay, if you pull out any of the rear seats or trim panels from your CV8 you'll find the chassis number chalked into every trim panel as they were all custom cut for each car. A true hand built car.
I live in Canada and have owned a Mark II since 2002 and love the car. I'm in the process of a full restoration and hope it looks as good as yours when i'm done. There was a Mark 1 not far from my house but I lost track of it some time ago when the owner passed. OBTW the doors are steel framed and aluminum skin.
What a great looking car I pulled up at a garage in stafford today next to the Jenson CV8 never seen one before and spoke to the owner -nice guy He told me all about it so I could not resist researching it a bit -Thanks J
Beautiful. I’ve always liked these cars as well. I find them to be very interesting. So glad we get to see and learn about a car that’s just very rare these days.
Never saw this car before, but I love it! Truly the best of American and British know how. Thanks so much for featuring this beauty Jay. Really enjoying the older vehicles featured here. Keep up the great work.
Always had a big soft spot for CV8 and the earlier 541 and 541S models. A CV8 was the car driven by the hero in a 1960's British tv series called "The Baron"
How great that we have Jay to save all these wonderful classics. How sad it would be without him. Real cars not just musem pieces. Bravo Jay, your the best.
I was a in Ipswich England from 68 to 71 from age 12 to 15 years old. And when my family got back to the states telling other boys about this car being my dream car just made their eyes just glazed over. Thanks Jay .
Absolutely beautiful vehicle. I’ve always loved the “hybrids” as you called them, especially Jensens (as I am a die hard Chrysler big-block engine guy). I agree this is much more classically styled than the Interceptor. I wish they had made enough more to make them just a little more attainable, like the Interceptor!
Thanks for this, Jay, and for your UA-cam channel, which is a great blend of informed comment and raw enthusiasm. The C-V8 has always been one of my guilty pleasures, the epitome of the French expression "jolie-laide." Whilst most European countries imposed punitive levels of tax on cars over 2.7 litres, here in UK we had a flat annual rate regardless of engine size. Our petrol, whilst considerably more expensive than yours, was still quite a bit less expensive than that in many other European countries. Perhaps that's why we have the tradition of Anglo-American hybrids, such as Jensen, who had used Ford and Nash engines before turning to Chrysler, along with Allard, TVR, Atalanta, Railton, Gordon-Keeble and others
Time to plan a trip to New Zealand Jay. I think you will be surprised with the selection of cars throughout the youngest country in the world... Great work & excellent work you do being a caretaker.
Welcome to C-V8 ownership! Join the JOC forum, get in touch with the JOC C-V8 registrar. Reinstall the Selectarides! Lovely car, great video! If you are like most Jensen owners this won‘t be your only Jensen for long, they built great cars.
Jay you must look at Jeremy Clarkson cl assic '70's video of the Mark III Interceptor you will pee your pants and make Harry M smile. I hope next time Harry is doing Pebble beach you invite him for a tour up the coast to Carmel "harry and Jay do .........." would be very entertaining
IDK if a myth, but was there an original intention to fare in the double headlights of the CV8 with a perspex cover? I may be misremembering this, or indeed it maybe a tall tale. I don't recall whether the story being it didn't happen because it was too complex or fell foul of a rule pertaining to the headlights...
CharlesHB Not a myth, that was the original intention. They decided against it in the last minute fearing that they would diminish the headlights. One owner had them fitted: jensencv8.weebly.com/jensen-c-v8-plexiglass.html
This is just great. Probably one of my favorite British cars, certainly for its original time period, but it stands up to any of the other quintessential English cars. I want it.
Hey Jay! I'm glad you finally got to get your hands on this car. My grandfather was the chief of design at Jensen and designed this car along with the 541.
check out the TV show The Barron Steve Forrest drove one of these
He and you should be proud, such a beautiful car.
Do I know you?
@@julianneale6128 yea I think I've met you once or a thousand times. Almost like we were family.
Your Grandfather did a superb job on this car. Sleeker lines than a Ferrari 330. A heritage you can be proud of for sure. Wonderful automobile.
This is one of the most beautiful cars. Somehow timeless while still being of a place and time. Extremely sophisticated.
Agreed
It's embarrassing looking at the modern cars as this goes by. Not one has any style or sophistication. Just a box of electronics on wheels.
Such s cool car
I saw one of these in a deep bluish-black or purple parked near St. Paul’s in London as a teenager maybe 25 years ago. The most elegantly sinister car I’ve ever seen!
I feel the same way. I was kind of surprised when he said the front end was divisive. I think the car is one of the most stunningly beautiful I've seen
Fascinated to see this. This was the first car I was ever taken over 100 mph in. I was in the rear seat behind the driver, who was Jensen's chief engineer. We went storming up the Kenilworth road near Coventry and hit 100 going uphill overtaking a bus! Then flew through some S bends at 80. Thrilling stuff for a teenage boy dreaming of being old enough to drive soon. Back at the house was parked the Interceptor FF that was going to be shown at the motor show. He had got up in the middle of the night to drive up and down the motorway to put the hundreds of miles on so the automotive journalists wouldn't break an non run in car. With the all wheel drive, anti lock brakes and that shape it seemed like something from the future. Still love cars. Thanks Jay from bringing back the memory of a wonderful day!
What year was that Chris ?
So beautiful. Pure class.
Happy fathers day everyone.
Nate Soroko , happy Father’s Day
Happy Fathers Day! Nice car for the day.
I think it's very nice good looking car and with that engine better.. I had a old c10 Chevy truck and my brother in law was a mechanic down here in San Luis Mexico and was building a race car for an oval track in kind of mud or clay surface and was going to put a Dodge 383 but ended up with a Chevy 383 so I got the Dodge 383 and made it fit in 75 c10 and that thing was fast lots of torque!! Damm that was fast to make it stop was the trouble.. any ways nice Jay.!!!
Restored and bought in California, now owned in California by Jay, and yet still on British registration plates! Very strange.
Happy fathers day brother !
Best videos are when Jay talks about his own cars, beautiful car
agreed, it's much more relaxed
Lol I was thinking the opposite. More entertaining when it's a guest
I agree, some of the guests can be awkward or standoffish.
I agree, love seeing what interests Jay enough to own one himself. I don't always need to see a huge, in depth car video either. This just touched on the points the owner was drawn to and sometimes that is enough
@@RealNerdyProductions I'd be VERY awkward and standoffish in the company of one of modern times most famous classic car collector and TV star.
How can you NOT love this masterpiece.
I've never seen one of those before...just gorgeous. That dashboard is a work of art.
Retro power has been working on one for quite some time…check it out.
Show Business may have given Jay the recources to afford a garage like this... But he is so much better at this! Thanks Mr Leno.
True, but i still miss his late nite show too. He was good at that too
@@dookiebooger9967 yeah he is a very talented comedian too, he sometimes cracks a good joke in his videos
methinks Jay worked pretty darn hard for his garage. He was able to do it via show biz
@@dookiebooger9967 Jay was the only reason I stayed up to watch TV after 11:35 pm. Now, they have Jimmy what's his face hosting, so now I just tune out.
He doesn't spend his late show money
Watching jay is like hanging out w my grandpa for 20mins everyday. I miss him and this gets me pretty close to those times in the garage as a kid. Thanks jay!!
Same
I agree with Jay, this is a gorgeous car. I hope we have a follow up video covering the work done to get it working 100%!
I would really like to hear about the parts he has to make himself.
Apparently, you weren't paying very close attention - he made a point of it in the video, while he was driving along especially, that this is one of the few cars he has acquired that he and his shop crew did not really have anything to do, aside from normal servicing - fluid checks/changing, put in new plugs maybe, some cleanup and checking for proper conditions, etc. - before he simply was able to begin driving it on a regular basis. So - no "work that had to be done to get it working 100%" was involved, really.
@@j.s.bridges1189 , if you were really paying attention, you'd have heard Jay state at 7:20 that the car had been cosmetically restored, but there were still a few things that they needed to do, like address the shocks not functioning properly. While he was driving, and praising the car, he again mentioned the shocks at 10:44 and at 15:50 that the radiator was an issue they were also going to check. "It might be too thick or too thin for California..."
So yes, it does require some work to get it up to 100% I'd be interested in seeing how the shocks worked and why they couldn't ever seem to get them right.
O.k., I went back and reviewed the video, and while he did say that, as the car had been "cosmetically" restored, it had not been "mechanically" restored, and that he has not had it for more than a month or two - therefore, there are a few "little things" that they feel they want to take a look at, with an eye towards making some improvements mechanically - he then mentions a (apparently-minor) issue concerning the adjustable shock-absorber system that does not appear to be functioning as it supposedly should do - but he further remarks that, in fact, it appears that said adjustment system "never did" work just right. It's rather clear that this possible problem has not yet been addressed - yet, he's driving the car, and it appears to be working pretty-much o.k., so that doesn't seem to be much of a problem at all.
The radiator does not seem to be a problem, really, either, as (again) the car's functioning quite well - it's just "a feeling" that he has that it might be running a bit warmer than would be ideal, given the location where they are in S. California.
Like most "car guys", Jay wants to make things even better (if possible) than they already are - there are always improvements possible (marginal though they may be), especially given a car that is over 50 years old and has NOT been mechanically restored. Not to put too sharp a point on it - I wouldn't depend upon there being any sort of "follow-up" video featuring work on the shock system and/or the cooling system/radiator...that kind of "small stuff" will likely get addressed sometime in future - maybe - who knows? Even if it is - such relatively-minor stuff does not appear to be much - if any - of a problem at this point - would be, as you say, interesting to see such marginal-issues being addressed...but Jay's got a whole bunch of cars there, and there's always work to be done on old cars, y'know?...
LMAO at these comments
What a beautiful car! I love it! Simple, powerful and elegant!
Regular viewer but never commented before, but I had to chime in on this video, that is one of the most beautiful cars I've ever seen. The style is truly timeless, I love the side view, and the v8 sounds amazing in this context. Beautiful car, perfect for a Sunday drive. Thanks for sharing.
Snap Ken if I can call you that . The side view with the mind blowing good looks of the horizontal slash line above each wheel make it look like it’s doing a million miles an hour. I never knew this car existed until This video of Jays was suggested to me by another excellent UA-cam channel that you may enjoy called retropowercars who are just about to do a full resto mod on a rather sorry ‘barnfind’ example of the CV8.
@@ogregriffiths6069 Retropower! Mind-blowing channel 👍
Gorgeous proper GT saloon. That dash is almost jewelry. Beautiful.
I agree...the combination of glossy wood grain with shiny chrome instruments...it is jewelry!
I think the Jensen looks very distinguished. The interior is really outstanding. Love the thick bolstered seats. The interior looks modern.
It looks realy nice but i wouldnt call it modern
@@sirewokthefirstidonthaveal2902 I would call it timeless.
The C-V8 is my absolute favorite car! just love the look and how nice these drive.
A friend of mine owns one and we went out for a drive last December and as we parked it a small boy walked by and he screamed to his mother "looook a JEEENSEEEN!!!!"
A beauty for sure
I love how Jay seems to appreciate British and European styling more and more in these later episodes. I love American engines, especially the V8 sound, but covering these rare British car companies is a real treat.
I'm not a fan of many foreign cars unless they are classics. Classics from any where catch my attention a lot.
@@mrfunatparties6763 It's Škoda or walk for me. 😂
@@mrmerlin6287 The last time I was in the UK I rented an Octavia saloon. I thought it was a very nice car. Of course, VW helped...😊
I was a Technical Motor student in 1965 in the West Midlands and had the opportunity to visit the Jensen Factory in West Brom. They were making the CV8 then and also the body for the Austin Healey and modifying the alphine to fit the v8 tiger
My college roommate had a Jensen Healey. I remember being shocked when he popped the hood and it had a Lotus engine in it.
A very fun car but parts were out of this world expensive.
Jay’s 1965 Jensen C-V8 is beautiful!
I just found one of my new favorite cars. The dash is perfect, and the styling just stunning.
Jay, your enthusiasm for these cars is what makes your videos the best. The fact that you maintain them so they run and drive is what makes it extraordinary. Especially like the solo presentations.
Also the fact that you know the history of the builder of every car,truck and motorcycle you own and operate impresses me. That alone sets you above most collectors of great motor vehicles.
Beautiful from every angle. Color combination is terrific. The interior is classic. Thanks for sharing Jay.
I love when Jay shows his own cars. Don't get me wrong, it's great when Jay shows off other people's cars but there's a sense of pride and respect when Jay shows off his own cars that he and his team built/restored.
Jay Leno: “here’s some car you never knew existed”
Me: “I know what I’m doing for the next 20 minutes”
@D B Oh look everybody, a true American,he knows everything, just ask him. I guess anyone who doesn't know this, and every other goddamned car is a lesser human than Mr. D B I Know Everything.
D B there are a lot of somewhat more casual car/newly car enthusiasts who watch this channel and who have never heard of the CV8, if they Even know Jensen Motors. So take his comment as being directed at those people not devout car enthusiasts who know about rare foreign cars that they could not buy in their home country.
@D B name five Aussie built cars...
@D B, one car does not mean someone is not a car enthusiast.
Nice "distinctive" car Jay.
So wonderfully '60's British. Hint of Triumph (Spitfire/Vitesse), TVR, '40's & '50's Jaguar. Lovely car. Thanks.
As a kid, 40 odd years ago, I can remember one of these sat rotting away in a car port in the middle of Gloucester, UK, knew what it was because of those distinctive headlights. Dreamt of saving and restoring it when I grew up but it had long gone by then. Thank Mr. Leno I really enjoy watching your channel, your passion and knowledge does you proud.
Still my favorite show on UA-cam. Thank you Jay
Same
You have to love it.
The C-V8 was a direct rival to the DB-5 in my mind.
The C-V8 is much lighter weighing about 3,400 to 3,500 pounds compared to the 3,800 to 3,900 pounds of the DB-5.
That was thanks in large part to the fibreglass body and the twin-tube frame.
Which is also why there is hardly ever any mechanical or body problems with that car.
The C-V8 produced around 330 HP and 425 torque. While the DB-5 produced 282 HP and 288 torque.
Both had a factory claimed 140 MPH.
However, I've heard that the C-V8 in Manuel form could hit 0-60 in about 5.3 seconds and the DB-5 could hit it in 6.3 seconds.
A 5.3 second car might not be as eye popping today, but consider that the now mythical 1969 429 Boss was only able to hit 60 mph in 7.1 seconds.
Although the 429 Boss is pure American muscle and deserving of all the praise it gets.
This little C-V8 was the much more practical car to drive as an everyday driver and could out perform it in a lot of ways.
Thanks for keeping this classic cars alive.
I'm currently restoring my BMW E21 (Just wish I had the money to restore it faster) and was recently able to see a Glas-BMW 1600 GT.
Both of those cars have understated appeal, just like the C-V8.
I like it, definitely a good buy on your part, in my mind.
Now, that is what I’d call a Gentleman’s GT car. Great color, great interior. And a V-8!
What a beautifully styled car. It has so much character. I just LOVE this car!!!
It was lovely to see the badge in the engine bay, made in "West Bromwich" my hometown.
Have always loved the CV8. When I was a teenager in the 60's my friends dad had access to one. On the way back from the seaside two young guys in a Healey Sprite were itching to race so he obliged. He took it to 130 mph with four on board and us two kids waving bye bye to the Healey guys.It's still my main dream car.
The front end is definitely unique but very appealing to the eye for me. The interior of those old English cars are so beautiful compared to modern day cars.
I wonder how it would look with a lens covering both lights?
@@rickyhildebrand114 sort of looks like a Super Snipe and the Mk2 Jag curve on the back window. I like it a lot...
The front end is what really catches my eye. I love the headlights. The whole car is just amazing. Now to do some more research on this beast.👌
Ricky Hildebrand It was the original intention to have a glas. They decided against it in the last minute. Detailing of the front headlights in the Mk1 and 2 is different.
Beautiful car Jay. I'd say, "money well spent" ! Cheers.
I went down the M1 as a young man in one of these amazingly fast and comfortable . The fuel guage went down at a rapid rate . Gorgeous car
English woodworking is always top notch! Interior is very nice. Cool car
Stunning car! I love the way it looks sinister and elegant both at the same time.
Total class ----- a true gentalmans sport touring car.
I had never heard of this car Jay. But this is now one of my all time favorite vehicles.
I am a MOPAR, and Jaguar lover so Jensen and Facel are naturals for me. English coachwork and big block Chrysler engineering how can that be anything but great?. Great color too, I have two 6.0 V12s in Sapphire blue. I really enjoyed the video.
Jay, it's beautiful and classically British. And the livery is gorgeous. Thanks!
This car looks so beautiful
Lovely car. It has that quintessentially English blend of fine coachwork and elegant style -- nothing overstated -- with a rock solid American V8. Great find, thanks for sharing it with us.
The side profile shot at 8:09 is perfection 👌
Stunning
Hi Jay, I just love all your videos !!! Whether they're American, English, French or Japanese. You are a truly magnificent ambassador for the automobile. Watching all those big capacity American motors, here in England, where anything over 1.4 litres is big, makes me envious of the American way. Then watching one of your videos for a German "large" 7 litre nineteen thirties racing car, i thought, hey, wait a minute, we have the Napier Railton (24Litre) race car in the brooklands museum just down the road from where i live !!!! What a car that was !!! Maybe some of the cars we have here are fantastic as well. Keep up the good work, "Jay Leno's Garage" is a fantastic channel.
very impressive. Thank for reminding me of yet another great BR-US hybrid, thank you for the work you do
Beautiful car. Love the episodes where you show your personal cars.
50 yrs ago I served my apprenticeship at a Jensen dealership in Bucknghamshire England. always thought the CV8 was a good looking car. Hopefully I will see one or two at the Silverstone classic this year.
please, tell us where you got the wood for the dash.
I'm with Jay, this is way better looking than an Interceptor.
DB5s have gotten expensive, and if Jay thinks a car is expensive then jesus.......
DB5's in minty condition are now fetching $850K++ ..... which is nuts.
The Jensen is the. car James Bond couldn’t afford 😁
Jesus?
Scott Elliott it must be expensive.
The ORIGINAL DB5 from the 007 movies is going for 5 Million in August
This a great car from a time when the style was pure beauty.
Great looking car. Wasn't familiar with this particular Jensen
Super cool, have to agree much nicer looking than the interceptor imo.
Always love these kinds of videos with a intresting car you dont see much of.
Yes! she is a beauty!
Stunning car J, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Jensen Interceptor since a neighbour had one from new in 1975 in Bristol U.K. which I had a ride in when I was 11 but this CV8 is something else and with that gorgeous classic V8 American burble, one of my favourites in yer little collection. Hi from the U.K.🇬🇧
One of the best examples of a Jensen C-V8 Mk III that I've ever seen. So glad it wound up in your stable, Jay.
What a gorgeous car. The interior is also beautiful, the back seats design is great, the colors...a true jewel.
Wow how cool of a car ! Can you imagine this unknown car driving around with a blower sticking out of the hood !! Not until your show did I know how many cars are mixed. Like this
Jensen, British car with a Chrysler engine, a Crossfire with a Chrysler body and a Mercedes engine, Pantera a Italian car with a Ford engine ! How cool is all this ! Never seen or heard of any of these until I watched this awesome show of yours, thank you for introducing all this wonderful knowledge to me as well as the rest of the world Mr. Jay !
As always, Jay...thanks for sharing and broadening my car world. This is a beautiful example of lost art of car building...simple beautiful and effective...thank you always enjoy what you do and how you do it.
Never knew this existed. Beautiful car and I love the interior!
I like this car. Looks really classic and stylish. Thanks for sharing, Jay!
Beautiful beautiful car Jay. I love old cars. This is something different and I think its pure class!! Great great job picking this one up.
Never seen this model of Jensen.. Wow..Such a handsome and pretty car!
Agreed!
"A handsome and pretty car". You're not wrong.
Yep, one of the best UK cars. Great to see something so unusual on the road. Jay just gets better with his choice of cars for this channel. Hugely appreciated . Thanks very much.
Wow what a gem. This is the kind of car that made me fall in love with cars as a kid. Simple, classy with the power to back up its looks. Enjoy.
This is one of the cars I dreamed about owning back in the day, I think it's beautiful. :)
Love this car! I tried to find one myself a few years ago but had no luck. You have a beautiful example.
The headlights were meant to have glass covers like the early E Type Jags, but Richard Jensen dropped them as they reduced the lighting output. A couple of owners in the UK have had them made and they look great.
Get your sparky to check the wiring to the ammeter, it can get hot and burn out. There is a great Jensen Owners Club in California, so worth joining.
Yeah head light covers would look nice on that design now that you mention it 🤔
Might be my new dream car. That car is incredible.
Having viewed so many of your relaxed and enjoyable videos, I‘m surprised how very much our tastes in cars overlap. I look forward to every one of your videos appearing. Thanks for making the effort and delighting all of us gear heads around the world with your gems, your insights and your experience. Hooray from Germany.
A match made in heaven. British style and grace and Yank firepower!
I'm in love with the Jensen C-V8! Especially the interior.
Another great video Jay! This is exactly the sort of thing I enjoy. A beautiful original car and one that is interesting and quirky.
freakin LOVE IT!!! Perfect combination of English eccentricism and MOPAR!!!
It's Mopar, or no.... wait. Ummmm.
Wow Jay never seen one before! It absolutely beautiful! Love that age of cars as well. Top drawer!!! 👍
One of my all time favorite cars! A Roadrunner that went to Oxford couldn't describe the car more perfectly!! Thanks for the video.
well i love the concept , the color , the shape the chrome , the interior . and the thumping great V8 ! beautiful car Jay. i think we should be allowed to buy non safety standard cars if we wish to die in style .
Such a great automobile! Glad that you have the means and the enthusiasm to share your unique collections with the world.
I own a Jensen CV-8 for >43 years now. It been on- and off the road for different reasons but mostly because of no time to drive it. Every time I bring it out, I get comments on the looks, the history etc. I see the comment of Spenser Neal down here, I met his grandfather at one of the Jensen Owner's Club meetings in the UK and enjoyed his comments on some smaller modifications I had made to the car. Not a man of many words, but still I like to think he approved of what I did.
I enjoyed your video and hope you will be able to enjoy the car for a long period of time. By the way, I believe Neil Young owns a Jensen 541, maybe the two of you can get together one day and compare the two vehicles.
Dear Jost, I have to say that not using your CV8 may be a heinous crime - but you can fix that easily, if you haven't already? - what about making one day every week your 'take the Jensen to work day' ?- its what my neighbour does with his lovely Mk2 Jag. They only go better if they are used more......I make a point of taking my 65 Mustang out once a week to 'stop the seals going hard, and to get the condensation out of the bodywork', any reason will do. Hope you find the time to enjoy it more.......
This is the most beautiful car I've ever seen... Takes the cake over American classics in my opinion (and I'm a lifelong Mustang owner and love all sorts of muscle cars). :)
Lovely
Glop glop
I remember seeing these at the London Motor Show when I was a little boy. I thought they were fantastic back then. There was a 'FF' all wheel drive version on display as well. I don't think this went into production. Jay's example looks to be in mint condition. I am green with envy. Thanks for sharing and bringing back some great memories for me!
Yes the CV8 FF was a prototype, the production FF was a modified Interceptor's Vignale design, different bonnet, wings (fenders) and the two side intakes behind the front wheel vs the Interceptors one, as the FF was longer.
FF developments made several cars with the FF system, including a Mustang IIRC
My father had one of these for a couple of years in the 60s and I can still remember sitting in the back as a little boy with my brother, no seat belts, going everywhere fast. Everybody who saw it stared at it in wonder. We had an "I Spy..." book of cars to keep us amused on long car journeys and our CV8 was the highest scoring model of car in the book, on the final page. He traded his 541R to buy the CV8, it was a silvery metallic blue, and we loved it to bits. The speedo was optimistic, I remember. The CV8 was for a while the fastest genuine 4-seater in the world, but the top end was around 135mph. I can remember seeing the needle touch 150 which impressed the hell out of me, until years later when I read what they could really do. He traded the Jenny for a Renault 4 (plus a very big pile of cash), which was a huge shock!
Having owned a CV8 and Interceptor at the same time for 7 years, I can say that the CV8 is a lot faster than the interceptor. It's the lighter weight that does it. I also have a fibreglass Marcos GT and the build quality of the CV8 is in a different class altogether. Jay, if you pull out any of the rear seats or trim panels from your CV8 you'll find the chassis number chalked into every trim panel as they were all custom cut for each car. A true hand built car.
I live in Canada and have owned a Mark II since 2002 and love the car. I'm in the process of a full restoration and hope it looks as good as yours when i'm done. There was a Mark 1 not far from my house but I lost track of it some time ago when the owner passed. OBTW the doors are steel framed and aluminum skin.
What a great looking car
I pulled up at a garage in stafford today next to the Jenson CV8 never seen one before and spoke to the owner -nice guy
He told me all about it so I could not resist researching it a bit -Thanks J
Jensen's C series cars were one of the most elegant and desirable of all in their time and still are very beautiful .
Beautiful. I’ve always liked these cars as well. I find them to be very interesting. So glad we get to see and learn about a car that’s just very rare these days.
Never saw this car before, but I love it! Truly the best of American and British know how. Thanks so much for featuring this beauty Jay. Really enjoying the older vehicles featured here. Keep up the great work.
That is a very stylish car. I've never seen one before, but the 6 tail lights and those diagonal front head lights are really cool.
A truly beautiful car.
Love the way Jay presents his cars.
What a fantastic looking design. Looks more Italian by those curves and lines.
Also used by The Baron in the late 1960s ITC series of the same name, starring Steve Forrest.... Good product placement by Jensen.
Always had a big soft spot for CV8 and the earlier 541 and 541S models.
A CV8 was the car driven by the hero in a 1960's British tv series called "The Baron"
I well remember the Baron. An antiques expert and private detective at the same time.
How great that we have Jay to save all these wonderful classics. How sad it would be without him. Real cars not just musem pieces. Bravo Jay, your the best.
Absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing such a great example of unrestricted automotive design.
American power with British style is an interesting, beautiful mix and look at that interior, wow!
It also worked the other way too - P51 Mustang, British (Merlin) power with American style.
I was a in Ipswich England from 68 to 71 from age 12 to 15 years old. And when my family got back to the states telling other boys about this car being my dream car just made their eyes just glazed over. Thanks Jay .
That is BEAUTIFUL! Good call, Jay.
Oh, and the interior is freaking LUSH!!!
Absolutely beautiful vehicle. I’ve always loved the “hybrids” as you called them, especially Jensens (as I am a die hard Chrysler big-block engine guy). I agree this is much more classically styled than the Interceptor. I wish they had made enough more to make them just a little more attainable, like the Interceptor!
Thanks for this, Jay, and for your UA-cam channel, which is a great blend of informed comment and raw enthusiasm. The C-V8 has always been one of my guilty pleasures, the epitome of the French expression "jolie-laide." Whilst most European countries imposed punitive levels of tax on cars over 2.7 litres, here in UK we had a flat annual rate regardless of engine size. Our petrol, whilst considerably more expensive than yours, was still quite a bit less expensive than that in many other European countries. Perhaps that's why we have the tradition of Anglo-American hybrids, such as Jensen, who had used Ford and Nash engines before turning to Chrysler, along with Allard, TVR, Atalanta, Railton, Gordon-Keeble and others
Time to plan a trip to New Zealand Jay. I think you will be surprised with the selection of cars throughout the youngest country in the world... Great work & excellent work you do being a caretaker.
Welcome to C-V8 ownership! Join the JOC forum, get in touch with the JOC C-V8 registrar. Reinstall the Selectarides! Lovely car, great video! If you are like most Jensen owners this won‘t be your only Jensen for long, they built great cars.
Jay you must look at Jeremy Clarkson cl assic '70's video of the Mark III Interceptor you will pee your pants and make Harry M smile. I hope next time Harry is doing Pebble beach you invite him for a tour up the coast to Carmel "harry and Jay do .........." would be very entertaining
and maybe get Doug to appreciate some real Lambo's
IDK if a myth, but was there an original intention to fare in the double headlights of the CV8 with a perspex cover? I may be misremembering this, or indeed it maybe a tall tale. I don't recall whether the story being it didn't happen because it was too complex or fell foul of a rule pertaining to the headlights...
CharlesHB Not a myth, that was the original intention. They decided against it in the last minute fearing that they would diminish the headlights. One owner had them fitted:
jensencv8.weebly.com/jensen-c-v8-plexiglass.html
Gorgeous! I lived in London in 1967 and always admired these when I saw them on the street though infrequently.
This is just great. Probably one of my favorite British cars, certainly for its original time period, but it stands up to any of the other quintessential English cars. I want it.