Makes › Jensen › FF · Rare production · 1966–1971 Very Rare
Jensen
FF
First production car with four-wheel drive (Ferguson) and anti-lock brakes
Still being researched: identification guide. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 320 Built
- Years
- 1966–1971
- Engine
- V8, Chrysler 383 cu in big block · 6,280 cc / 6.3 LFactory: 383 cu in · converted
- Power
- 242 kW / 330 PSFactory: 325 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Touring (initial drawing); modified and productionised by Vignale and Kevin Beattie
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The FF was the first production car with permanent four-wheel drive, combined with anti-lock braking. It used a transmission system developed by Ferguson from its Formula 1 research car and was hand-built in a small series; at a price well above a Jaguar E-type or Aston Martin it was something of a loss leader.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Jensen FF (Wikimedia Commons: Jensen FF)
Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0
Jensen FF (Wikimedia Commons: Jensen FF)
Photo: Thomas Vogt from Paderborn, Deutschland · CC BY 2.0
Jensen FF (Wikimedia Commons: Jensen FF)
Photo: Thomas Vogt from Paderborn, Deutschland · CC BY 2.0
Jensen FF (Wikimedia Commons: Jensen FF)
Photo: Thomas Vogt from Paderborn, Deutschland · CC BY 2.0
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02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productiontotal FF production 1966–1971 (some sources up to 330) | 3201,2 | Factory production | Registry reported |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
The FF shared its Italian-styled body with the Interceptor; the design was drawn first by Touring and then productionised by Vignale with Jensen's chief engineer. The first dozen or so cars were bodied by Vignale in Italy, after which production moved to West Bromwich.
The 4x4 system used a centre differential derived from the Ferguson P99 racing car and sat in a transfer box between the front seats. Jensen never developed a left-hand-drive FF, which limited sales to export markets that drove on the right. The museum counts 320 cars built.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard FF.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine manufacturer | Chrysler3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | V8, Chrysler 383 cu in big block3 Independently researched |
| Cylinders | 83 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 6,280 cc / 6.3 LFactory: 383 cu in · converted3 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 242 kW / 330 PSFactory: 325 hp · converted4 Independently researchedOwner-site figure, no rating standard given. |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Transmission code | TorqueFlite A-727 (3-speed automatic)5 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D). |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | Automatic, Chrysler TorqueFlite A-7273 Independently researched |
| Gears | 33 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | 4WD (permanent, 37% front / 63% rear)3 Independently researched |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | hand-built British chassis6 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D). |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | hand-formed panels; Italian-styled body6 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D). |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | 1,780 mmFactory: 70 in · converted6 Independently researched5 ft 10 in as stated; from an enthusiast source (level D). |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
The Jensen FF Museum and Archive Level B thejensenff.com (Wayback capture) · 2016-08-20
- maintain histories of each of the 320 Jensen FF cars made
-
2
Conceptcarz – Jensen FF Level C
- 320 total FF production 1966–1971 (some sources up to 330)
-
3
Jensen FF Mk1 119/134 Level D Private owner page (Wayback capture) · 2005-09-09
- 383cid Chrysler V8 big block
- Engine is a 383cid Chrysler V8 big block
- Transmission Torqueflite A-727, 3-speed automatic
- 3-speed automatic
- constant 4WD ... 37% front and 63% to rear
-
4
The Jensen FF Home Page Level D Jensen FF owners page (Wayback capture) · 2007-03-21
- a 325 BHP American V8 engine
-
5
SteinIndex - Jensen FF Mk1 chassis 119/134 (owner's car page) Level D Private owner's car site · 2005-09-09
- transmission Torqueflite A-727
-
6
The Jensen FF Home Page Level D John Wild · Jensen FF homepage (lupine.demon.co.uk) · 2005-07-17
- Hand built British chassis and coachwork
- Each panel was formed by hand
- With a width of 5'10"
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