Jensen FF

The Jensen FF is a four-wheel drive grand tourer produced by British car manufacturer Jensen Motors between 1966 and 1971. It was the first non all-terrain production car equipped with four-wheel drive[1] and an anti-lock braking system. The powertrain was sourced from Chrysler, installing the second generation 6,277 cc (6.3 L; 383.0 cu in) V8 engine and 3-speed TorqueFlite A727 automatic transmission.

Jensen FF
Overview
ManufacturerJensen Motors
Production1966–1971
320 produced[1]
AssemblyWest Bromwich, England
DesignerFederico Formenti at Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera
Body and chassis
ClassGrand tourer
Body style2-door 4-seat coupé
LayoutFront-engine, four-wheel-drive
RelatedJensen Interceptor
Powertrain
Engine6,277 cc (6.3 L; 383.0 cu in) [Chrysler 383] V8
Transmission3-speed TorqueFlite A727 automatic[2]
Dimensions
Wheelbase109 in (2,769 mm)[3]
Length191 in (4,851 mm)[3]
Width69 in (1,753 mm)[3]
Height55 in (1,397 mm)[3][4]
Kerb weight3,808 lb (1,727 kg)

The use of four-wheel drive in a passenger car preceded the successful AMC Eagle by thirteen years, the Audi Quattro by fourteen years, and the Subaru Leone by five years. The Dunlop Maxaret mechanical anti-lock braking system had previously been used only on aircraft, lorries, and racing cars. An experimental version was first fitted to the earlier Jensen C-V8, but this did not go into production.

The letters FF stand for Ferguson Formula, after Ferguson Research Ltd., who invented the car's four-wheel drive system. The FF is related to the similar-looking, rear-wheel drive Jensen Interceptor, but is 127 mm (5.0 in) longer, and mechanically very different.

Standard FF features included front seat belts, a tachometer, and map pockets.[5]

Reception and sales

Although it was a highly innovative vehicle in a technical sense, the FF was not commercially successful. Its price was high — about 30% higher than the Jensen Interceptor, and more than that of luxury GTs from much more prestigious makers. In the UK a reputed 320 to 330 examples of the Jensen FF V8 model were made by Jensen Motors Limited according to The Jensen Owners Club.

The FF also suffered from a design problem, and not one easily cured: the system was set up for a driver in the right-hand seat, and no considerations had been made to making it left-hand drive. In particular, the central transfer case and both propeller shafts protruded into the left-hand seat space. The steering gear and brake servo were fitted on the right-hand side, and there was no space for them on the left.[1] By the early 1970s, Jensen's primary markets were in overseas markets where cars were driven on the right-hand side of the road. The FF could not be sold in the United States.

Appearance

The FF may be distinguished from the Interceptor by a few styling cues, the most obvious being the twin (rather than single) diagonal air vents on the front wing, just rear of the wheel-arches. The frontal appearance was revised in September 1968.

Only coupés were made; there were no convertibles.[1]

Derivatives

One experimental Ferguson FF was built in 1968 with a 7-litre (426 cubic inch) Hemi engine imported from Chrysler in the U.S. Further Hemi engine equipped models were not built, due to the limits of the suspension at extremely high speeds, and the cost of importing the Hemi engine into Britain, which was deemed too great.

An "SP FF" version is rumoured to have been made at some point in the production run. This version was equipped with a 7.2-litre (440 cubic inch) engine with a "Six Pack" induction system (three 2-barrel carburettors) as well as four-wheel drive. Less than ten are thought to have been built.

Models

Dinky Toys produced a die-cast model of the FF, available in both ready-constructed and kit form. Playart also produced a 1:64 scale FF, possibly scaled down from the Dinky model.

The Dinky car had opening doors and both the Playart and Dinky models featured an opening bonnet (hood).

References
  1. Robson, Graham (2006). A to Z British cars 1945–1980. Devon, UK: Herridge. ISBN 0-9541063-9-3.
  2. "Jensen FF Mk1 119/134". home.online.no. Archived from the original on 9 September 2005. Retrieved 11 February 2008. Archived 9 September 2005 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
  4. Cardew, Basil (1966). Daily Express Review of the 1966 Motor Show. London: Beaverbrook Newspapers Ltd.
  5. http://www.british-steel.org/brochure/ff/ffa_1_l.jpg
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