The Jensen 541S was Jensen Motors luxury GT model of the Jensen 541. Announced in mid-October 1960,[1] the Jensen 541S was four inches wider than the 541R. The increased track allowed the new car's interior to be roomier and improved the roadholding.[2] The 541S had a conventional radiator grill [3][4](as opposed to the flap of the 541) to allow for the extra heat given by a proposed new V8 engine, and a Salisbury limited slip differential for the extra torque demanded.
| Jensen 541 S | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Jensen Motors Limited |
| Production | 1960–1963 127 made |
| Designer | Eric Neale |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Grand tourer |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4.0 L Austin I6 5358 cc V8 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 4-speed manual + overdrive |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 105 in (2,667 mm) |
| Length | 178 in (4,521 mm) |
| Width | 67 in (1,702 mm) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Jensen 541R |
| Successor | Jensen C-V8 |
Jensen used their own powerful version of the Austin DS5 4-litre straight-six engine (featuring triple H4 type SU carburettors, a high compression Weslake head with custom-made twin exhaust manifolds and an alloy baffled sump/oil cooler) in the 541S.[5] Initially the Jensen brothers tested Chrysler Hemi V8s in the 541S, also trialled in Alan Jensen's Jensen 541delux, but none were used because of supply difficulties. One was fitted with a Chevrolet 327 V8 however, at Donald Healey's request.[6][7][8][9] A total of 127 cars were hand-built between 1960 and 1962 at Jensen's West Bromwich factory, most having GM-licensed Rolls-Royce hydramatic gearboxes. This was innovative at the time as performance cars mainly had manual gearboxes. It also suited the criteria of effortless speed and luxurious long-distance driving Jensen set for their new car, although twenty-two were fitted with Moss manual gear boxes at the request of their prospective owners.[10]
The Jensen 541S is also notable for being the first British car to have seat belts fitted as standard equipment.[11] Another first for the 541 series was the use of Dunlop disc brakes on all four wheels.[12] A rack and pinion steering system was employed, giving the car very positive steering. Other safety equipment included a padded windscreen surround, fire extinguisher and first-aid kit. Each car was also fitted with a Motorola radio.[13]
The 541 S was superseded by the Chrysler Golden Commando V8 powered Jensen C-V8 model, which inherited from the 541 S the same wheelbase and track dimensions, as well as the Jensen ethos of safe, easy, comfortable and fast inter-continental travel[14] while the groundbreaking 1966 Jensen FF used a perimeter tube style chassis first tried on the 541 series of cars.[15]
Gallery
editFurther reading
edit- An article with photographs by John Neville Cohen about the rare 541S manual drive (only 22 made) https://www.jncohen.net/Jensen/article.htm
- Garnier, Peter; Healey, Brian (1989). Donald Healey: my world of cars. Patrick Stephens. ISBN 1-85260-212-0.
- Jensen Road Test Book: Jensen Cars 1946–67. Brooklands Books. 2002. ISBN 0-906589-86-X.
- Calver, Richard. A history of Jensen: All the models ISBN 978-0-9751291-1-1.
References
edit- ^ Jensen saloon. The Times Thursday, Oct 13, 1960; pg. 8; Issue 54901
- ^ http://www.british-steel.org/brochure/five_four_one/541a_3_l.jpg [bare URL image file]
- ^ http://www.british-steel.org/brochure/five_four_one/541a_1_l.jpg [bare URL image file]
- ^ The Motor magazine October 19th 1960
- ^ The Autocar magazine February 3rd 1961
- ^ Donald Healey My World of Cars ISBN 1-85260-212-0
- ^ Classic Cars magazine February 1995
- ^ "Jensen 541S V8 | Donald Healey Special". 29 November 2017.
- ^ Mark Dollery. Jensen V8, the complete story of the American-powered cars ISBN 978 1 78500 122 2
- ^ Calver, Richard (1991). A history of Jensen: the chassis data. ISBN 0-646-03563-0.
- ^ http://www.british-steel.org/brochure/five_four_one/541a_4_l.jpg [bare URL image file]
- ^ The Motor October 17th 1956
- ^ http://www.british-steel.org/brochure/five_four_one/541a_2_l.jpg [bare URL image file]
- ^ The Motor October 10th 1962
- ^ The Autocar Four wheel drive for Jensen October 15, 1965