I notice on Jeb's (Metal and Speed) website, he was working on one. Who has more history on these? How many were made? What do think of the styling? Clark Gable had one.
Never heard of one, but it's beautiful. To the google cave! I gotta find out more... I'm guessing this is the same company that produced the Jensen-Healey's in the lat 60's early 70's?
Some basic history here... but not very model specific to the car mentioned.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jensen_Motors
Well My dad has a Jensen, not a ford though. Jensen the company built that car for clark gable using a '36 ford to start. From what my dad tells me he was under the impression there is only one, but who knows. The jensen that built that is the same Jensen that made Interceptors, Jensen Healeys, and CV8s. One of the first companies to have AWD and 4w disc brakes.
Many of you are aware of the first two "speedsters" that Edsel Ford had built for himself -- the boat-tailed '32, and the red one built in '34. Both of those still exist. He really wanted to build a lower, sportier car, and worked with the Ford engineering staff to devise a lowered suspension design that still used his father's cross-spring design. This car was built in late '34 with such a revised suspension: Edsel was unable to persuade his father to build a production version of the car, and Brewster also declined. The car was offered to Jensen, who took it on and produced a limited series of them (but with some revisions to the body, including a '36-style grille). I have read that approximately 50 Jensen-Fords were built 1936-1940, but there were three different body styles and I don't know how many were this tourer style. The Cary Grant story is cloudy. He apparently did order one of the Jensens, but canceled his order before the car was delivered. He did pose for publicity photos with it, which has undoubtedly added to the confusion. The original Edsel prototype with the '35 grille is not known to exist now. It was allegedly last seen in 1951 on a California used car lot. I'm pretty sure that the one Jeb is restoring is NOT the one shown in the earlier post, which appears to be a nicely turned out car in recent times.
Well pm jeb. hes on here as jebs metal and speed or email him at metalandspeed@hotmail.com. I know he doesnt know everything about them but the owner of the car sure knew a ton. If i can remember right he said there was only three, but dont hold me to that.
I don't know,...... I think I'd rather have a 36 phaeton. The Jensen's a little too "fancy" for my taste.
To add to a somewhat cloudy picture, factor in fellow named Percy Morgan. He apparently developed a relationship with Jenson and He was the one who actually ordered the car for Gable. There were three ordered at that time, two blacks and a silver car. I read this by googling Jenson Ford Clark Gable. I know a guy who has a '34 Ford roadster that is built with the same mods as my cabrio, both our cars being built in or around Los Angeles in the fifties. Main similarity being the arm pits in the doors. there is much more to it but I'm going to look for a connection to Mr. Morgan for our two cars. Tim
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