Silverstone Auctions will be displaying a very special 1968 Jensen Interceptor, first owned by comedy icon Eric Morecambe, at the London Classic Car Show on the 18th- 21st February at Excel, London.
Silverstone Auctions purchased the car in September 2014 and approached Jensen specialists Cropredy Bridge to undertake a full, no expense spared restoration at their base in Oxfordshire which was completed in July 2015. The car will be for sale at the show on a POA basis.
The car has a fascinating history. It left the Jensen factory on Kelvin Way in West Bromwich on the 23rd September 1968, and was delivered to its first owner, Mr Eric Morecambe, shortly afterwards. Residing at Morecambe’s house in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, the car was driven personally by Eric as well as used by Morecambe’s chauffeur, Mike Fountain, to ferry him and wife Joan around. According to Fountain, this Interceptor was Eric’s favourite car.
Eric spoke about this car on an episode of Parkinson in 1972, describing the time when he was driving through Batley in Leeds late one evening. He was appearing with Ernie Wise at the local variety club when he became unwell and decided to drive home. He felt increasingly ill, and eventually was forced to ask a passer-by to drive him to hospital in the Interceptor. He had actually just suffered a mild heart attack. Apparently the passer-by was so excited to be driving an Interceptor that it took him several minutes to realise who he was helping!
Speaking about the car, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, said: "This is a wonderful car with an equally wonderful history and has been a personal delight to see it restored to its former glory. It’s now time for the Jensen to find a new owner who will cherish it as much as Eric did."
Visitors wil also have the chance to view two cars that will be auctioned in Silverstone Auctions’ Race Retro Classic Car sale, including a incredibly low mileage 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II and a one-owner, 1,500 mile 2010 Porsche 997 GT3 RS GEN II.
Members of the Silverstone Auctions’ team will be answering questions on the classic car market in Speakers’ Corner and holding talks and discussions throughout the weekend on buying and selling at auction with a focus on one of Silverstone Auctions’ specialties - modern classics.
Silverstone Auctions’ stand at the show can be found in the main hall alongside the Grand Avenue.
For more information on Eric Morecambe’s Jensen Interceptor please visit http://www.ericmorecambesjensen.co.uk/.