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This Week on Hagerty Marketplace: 3 Overlooked V-8 Cruisers
Welcome to This Week on Hagerty Marketplace, a recurring recap of the week’s most noteworthy cars from the Hagerty Marketplace online auctions.
On the latest edition of This Week on Hagerty Marketplace, we are covering another round of auctions from the SugarCreek Collection. This private collection has some amazing vehicles, complete with in-house restoration and maintenance by a full-time roster of craftsmen. But these folks weren’t interested in only perserving and restoring blue-chip investments, as worthy vehicles of all shapes and sizes were treated to the SugarCreek experience. Here are three unique machines with V-8 power with bodies and nameplates that are often overlooked by collector car enthusiasts.
1965 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Convertible
Sold for $39,376
Perhaps no Oldsmobile 4-4-2 can be considered as “overlooked,” especially one in a convertible body style. With limited production (3,468 were made in 1965), appealing burgundy/black colors, the F-85 V-8 engine, and a practical automatic transmission with floor shift and console, this 4-4-2 is almost as desirable as later versions. And the selling price of $39,376 reinforces that statement, because it is right in between #2 and #3 condition values for a ’65, but far below the value of a #3 condition ($66,700) 4-4-2 convertible from 1968.
Given the modest amount of imperfections in the paintwork, the grille, and the lack of a jack and a convertible tonneau cover, there is likely very little needed to turn this almost #2 condition vehicle into a full-on #2 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 convertible.
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1973 Jensen Interceptor Mk III
Sold for $34,240
Jensen Interceptors are exceedingly rare, but this Mk III is only one of 424 units produced with left-hand drive. This example has been extensively restored in its body, interior, and mechanical components, as SugarCreek provided detailed photos of the work performed when the restoration was performed in 2009. The 440-cubic inch Chrysler big block was rated at 385 hp and paired with a 727 TorqueFlite automatic, making this one of the quickest and most comfortable ways to enjoy a classic touring car with acres of leather and bags of charming British craftsmanship.
The $34,240 selling price is right in step with a 1973 Interceptor in #3 condition. It appears that fresh chrome plating, modest paint work, finding the correct Mk III grille emblem, and a period correct radio are needed to take this rare touring car from an honest driver into a stunning show car.
1955 Dodge Royal Lancer Convertible
Sold for $37,985
Wearing Virgil Exner’s iconic “Forward Look,” the Dodge Royal Lancer is one of the nicest Dodges you could buy in 1955, and the convertible body style adds even more appeal. This Royal Lancer has the Super Red Ram, 270-cubic inch Hemi V-8 engine (183 hp), a PowerFlite automatic transmission, and a host of power assists, all housed in a modest but handsome gray and black color scheme. Like the other two sales listed here, this Royal Lancer was restored by SugarCreek to a high standard.
The $37,985 selling price is roughly $3,000 higher than a Royal Lancer in #3 condition. That could suggest this Dodge is rare enough to overcome the numerous chips and scratches present, as the stunning leather interior and brilliant chrome trimmings certainly do not disappoint on camera.
The Jensen Interceptor is one of my targets of opportunities… I just haven’t run across the right opportunity yet.
Bond..James Bond…drives a Jensen FF in the book ‘Solo’. Very much like the Interceptor excepting four wheel drive car.
the 4-wheel drive is known as a Ferguson Formula.
The 1973 Jensen Interceptor Mk III for me.
I once had a great Interceptor with sunroof, low miles, excellent interior and decent paint. Low mileage and no rust. I paid $11K for it in the early 90’s and thought I made out well when I sold it in the late 90’s for $18K. Now I can’t buy back the same quality car for even twice that much. ;-(
Went to an exhibit “The art of the motor car” at the London Science Museum a few years ago. They had a Jensen Interceptor there, the information on the stand said V-6. I went up to the curator and politely told him it was a V-8, not a six. He promptly got very snotty and condescendingly informed me (oh, the sheer gall of those ruddy colonials) that it was a V-6, sir!
I told him, OK come count the spark plugs. He did, by gawd, he was going to show me . . .
One, two, three, four, five . . . six . . . . seven . . . . eight . . . Blimey . . . Oh dear . . .
I love the Interceptor — but they generally are high mileage now, and rust is common. The other worry is parts. That gorgeous rear window is, I understand, not produced and not available.
Off topic a bit ….. I tried to buy a used one in 1973 in Australia — but I could not find a bank or a finance company that would finance or lease a Jensen Interceptor. As soon as I mentioned the name of the vehicle the other end of the call could not hang up quickly enough, and I never understood why.
The trouble with a Jensen is the least expensive system to maintain and get parts for, the engine, is also the most durable.
The rest of the car…is low volume/handbuilt.
Electrical am system, brakes (inboard?), interior items are the expensive bits.
Think of it as a “poor man’s” Aston.
I had a Jensen Interceptor III convertible I bought in the ’80s for 14k, sold 20 years later for 20k, and still lost money. Beautiful, impressive, powerful grand tourer, but can be expensive to maintain. But I did enjoy it.