FAB WHEELS DIGEST (F.W.D.): Jensen S-V8 Convertible (2001-03)

The Jensen S-V8, a two-door convertible, was the most recent in a series of Jensen cars. After a £10 million investment to restart the company since it ceased production in 1976, the two-seater convertible was launched at the 1998 British International Motor Show, with an initial production run of 300 vehicles planned at a selling price of £40,000 each. Troubles with manufacture meant production ceased with only 20 ever leaving the factory and another 18 cars left partially completed. The company went into administration in July 2002. The Jensen name and partially completed cars were later sold to SV Automotive of Oxfordshire in 2003 who decided to complete the build of 12 of the cars, retaining the others for spares. A grand total of 32 cars were built. Powered by the superb Mustang Cobra 4·6-litre, 32-valve, four-cam, lightweight V8 engine, the S-V8 promised 160mph and 0-60mph in less than five seconds. The C-V8, a coupe version of the convertible S-V8 was planned, but due to the company's troubles it never saw the light of day bar one prototype. (wikipedia)