1959 Jensen

We are very proud to have been instructed by my very good friend Malcolm Verey to find a new and enthusiastic keeper for his well-prepared 1959 Jensen 541 “R” that has been correctly prepared for Historic racing yet remains perfectly suitable for road rallies or trips to the pub. Back in 2010 Malcolm required an historic GT car suitable for use in Carol Spagg’s pre 63 GT series and which would also be welcome  at both “Master’s Gentleman Driver’s” and the Goodwood Revival.   After much research a suitable Jensen 541R was found in a somewhat dilapidated condition in a French barn but with British registration No WLC 422.  After careful inspection of the structure of the car and a degree of haggling with the owner, the car was loaded onto a trailer and dispatched to Richard Warbyoff of R.W.Racing for full preparation into a competitive race car.  The excellent past provenance of this car was established with assistance from the extremely helpful people at the Jensen Owner’s Club  Time elapsed for preparation for the car until mid-season 2011 and during that time, further research and evidence was dug up by the ex-RAC archivist, John Godley, to enable the application for the essential FIA/HTP papers.  With further input from the MSA inspector, John Hopwood, papers were issued.  It should be mentioned that the brief to RW was to keep the car in very much original condition, with bumpers etc left on.  It was also decided that the late and much missed Denis Welch was the best man to strip and prepare the engine as the Austin 4 litre D5 six cylinder unit is basically of the same family as a Healey 100/4 with two extra pots and many parts, including competition pistons, readily available.  Denis felt that the car should have a ‘proper’ steel crankshaft and a further £4000 later, one was installed. We have invoices in the file totalling in excess of £80,000 for the restoration and race preparation of the car.  The engine produces around 235 BHP with the FIA-correct triple 1.5 inch SU carbs, but with a change of camshaft and non-FIA triple 1.75 inch SU carbs, the power reached around 265 hp. Full specification available on request.  Initial testing at Mallory Park with Willie Green went well until a puncture nearly put him into the wilderness, but other than a few teething problems with height set up etc, the car was ready to race.    At Silverstone Classic, Spa, Dijon, Donnington, etc., etc. the car proved to be both reliable and competitive.  Although 6,000 RPM is readily available from this well-built engine, the torque is such that the engine rarely calls for such RPM.  An invitation to the Goodwood Revival in 2013 was very welcome, particularly knowing the circuit since the Sixties.   Malcolm was delighted with 5th in practice, pipping two Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France cars and ahead of the Astons!  Sadly, a bad start dropped the car to 6th in the race, with one of the Ferraris nearly within reach.  The car also competed at the Goodwood 72 Members Meeting in March 2014 beating strong competition from Big Healy’s, Aston DB2s and a Ferrari.   The car is now offered for sale solely due to Malcolm’s retirement from the sport and he hopes that WLC 422 will go to a new owner who will carry on the fun of competitively driving this wolf in sheep’s clothing