OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE
Chassis No.
182758837
The partnership between Ford Motor Company and Jensen Motors traces its roots to the early 1930s, when the talented Jensen brothers, Alan and Richard Jensen, began designing stylish custom bodies for a variety of British chassis. Their work quickly gained attention for blending American-inspired styling with European craftsmanship. In 1934, wealthy businessman and industrialist Charles Jensen, no relation to the brothers, helped finance the company, allowing Jensen Motors to expand production in West Bromwich, England. Around the same time, Ford sought to strengthen its presence in the British luxury and sporting car market, creating the perfect opportunity for a collaboration.
The resulting Jensen-Ford models combined dependable Ford mechanical components with coachwork by Jensen. Jensen clothed these chassis in elegant, low-slung bodies inspired by contemporary American styling trends, particularly those coming from Hollywood and the great custom coachbuilders of the era. By 1936, the Jensen-Ford lineup had evolved into a sophisticated range of sporting automobiles. The flowing fenders, rakish grilles, and proportioned bodies gave the cars a distinctly upscale appearance that set them apart from standard British offerings of the day.
Although production numbers remained very limited, the Jensen-Ford represented an important early example of Anglo-American automotive collaboration, combining American V-8 performance with British craftsmanship and coach-built exclusivity. Today, these rare and elegant automobiles remain highly regarded for their unique blend of style, engineering, and pre-war sophistication.
Its said that just 30 Jensen-Fords were produced from 1934 to 1936, with three of those cars leaving the factory with left-hand drive and being exported to the United States. The first car, this example, and the next two were ordered by California industrialist, Percy Morgan who was granted a Jensen-Ford franchise. The chassis were said to be purchased through the Hollywood Ford dealer, to be shipped from the Ford branch in New Jersey to England for bodies; this also made it easier to get them in left-hand drive configuration. A man that had friends in high places, Percys car was ordered in black, while the second car was ordered in silver by his good friend, famed actor and sports car connoisseur Clark Gable.
As accounted by Percy Morgan in Automobile Quarterly Vol 36 No. 2, upon arrival to the United States, Morgan and Clark Gable helped unload the cars at the dock and Gable fell in love with this example being finished in black, but Morgan refused to sell it to him. Gable was courting Carole Lombard at the time, so he decided to drive his silver Jensen for a couple of days taking her on some dates, before trading it in at Nerney Ford and getting his deposit back. He would then use that money to purchase a Duesenberg Model J Roadster, one of the most famous examples, J-560.
While he couldnt purchase this black Jensen-Ford, he did his friend a favor by posing next to this example for a series of press and marketing photos. All of this is on file and can be seen in various noted books, such as *The Ford Road 1903-1978*. Years later, this rare hybrid was under the ownership of Warren Wyman before being welcomed into the collection of Robert Gottlieb. During this period, this example was a feature car in Automobile Quarterly Vol. 36, No. 2, where Percy Morgan recounted his adventures with the Jensen-Fords. A copy of this article is also on file.
This Jensen-Ford could then be found in the noted California-based Art Astor Collection. A true connoisseur of all things Ford and Lincoln, this example was restored in the early 2000s to concours standards. Sold alongside the entire Astor Collection, the current private estate would welcome this Jensen into their collection in the early 2010s.
During current ownership, the classic 221-cubic-inch V-8 engine was upgraded with Edmunds Custom heads and Edmunds Custom intake manifold with dual carburetors, adding a little extra horsepower to its already sporty and peppy engine. The interior also saw a refresh with lovely brown faux leather applied to the seats. Its older restoration has since mellowed and shows signs of enthusiast enjoyment in numerous spots.
As 1 of just 30 examples originally built, and one of just three LHD originally exported, its a seldom seen example on American shores. With its known ownership history and period connection to Clark Gable, this rare American British hybrid pre-war automobile would make a splendid addition to ones collection, a show field, or sports car gathering.
* The first of a mere three factory left-hand drive examples built for U.S. export
* Recipient of an older comprehensive ground-up restoration
* A fascinating flathead V-8 Ford with striking factory British coachwork
* Seldom seen as 1 of just 30 examples originally built
* Noted in various publications and as seen with Clark Gable in period press photos
From the Kruse Auctions
For the complete description or to view additional photos, <a href="https://listings.kruseauctions.com/listings/AF26-000003">click here</a>
