Jensen CV8

In October 1962 Jensen launched the 2 door 4 seater fibre glass bodied CV8 saloon. It was powered by an American Chrysler V8 engine and came with automatic transmission and all round disc brakes as standard. It was also the first British car to feature an alternator rather than a dynamo. As with previous Jensen models the interior was very well appointed, being fitted with leather seats, high quality carpet, and its comprehensive instrumentation was set into a wood veneer fascia. In January 1964 the Mk II model was introduced and apart from some minor changes to external brightwork, had a larger version on the Chrysler V8 engine, headlamp flasher, 2 speed wipers and a reversing lamp as standard equipment. Later in the same year a manual gearbox model became available but this car was fitted with the smaller engine of the earlier car. The Mk III model followed in 1965, and this featured dual circuit braking, more minor trim changes and this time the manual gearbox version kept the same engine, although it has to be said that very few manual gearbox cars were sold. production of the CV8 ended in October 1966.