The
..... a gentleman’s carriage.
Blackcountry 541
Specification
The Body
For the period, the Jensen 541 was in many ways a sensation. The Jensen brothers who had previously experimented with GRP on their commercial vehicles now bought this technology to their cars. Eric Neale, the cars designer had styled an extremely aerodynamic shape and so slippery was it that when tested in Austin’s wind tunnel at Longbridge it returned the lowest recorded cp figures. Another innovation was the hinged flap that is incorporated in the bonnet. Opened by degrees from the driving position by means of a lever in the footwell it aids ventilation to the engine bay.
The Suspension
The Chassis
The Brakes
The Interior
All leather Driver and Passenger seats
Vinyl trim
Map pockets
2 Door
Glass Reinforced Plastic
Available in 7 colours
Ladder type comprising 5 diameter tubes
2.5” diameter tubular cross braces
The Steering
On the front suspension of early cars, the top wishbone pivots at the chassis inside a bronze casting. Later this was changed to an Armstrong Lever type assembly. The coil spring pan is a modified version of that used on the Austin Healey 3000. The rear semi elliptical suspension uses 9 leaves to each spring and is attached at the rear spring hanger by a shackle. This should be in an upright position when the car is level under it’s own weight.
The rear springs are bolted to the halfshaft casing pads by two U bolts.
The main 5”chassis tubes combined with the cross tubing not only give an immensely strong chassis but one of excellent torsional stiffness too. The near side 5” chassis tube also doubles as the vacuum reservoir for the braking system and the 5”central cross box section is the gearbox and seat support. Lack of suitable rust proofing however means the chassis in general is prone to corrosion just about anywhere. Particular attention needs to be paid at the spring hangers and the main chassis tubes themselves. The floor incidentally is a aluminum and marine ply sandwich.
The Engine
Thought to be rather ‘agricultural’ the 6 cylinder straight 3993cc engine was bought in direct from Austin who were using it in their Sheerline & Princess limosines. Jensen themselves had previously used them in their early Interceptors. Triple horizontal SU carburetters & machined cylinder head improved performance to 115mph. Because of it’s position, the AC mechanical pump can suffer fuel evaporation due to it’s proximity to the manifold. A heat shield or electrical SU pump fitted elsewhere is usually the solution.
Jensen gave considerable attention to the braking. Early on, brake fade became an issue and Dunlop’s racing expertise was employed. Deflection of stub axles and half shafts under heavy corner baking were increasing the friction pad gaps causing severe stopping delays. Finally the adoption Dunlop’s Jaguar XK120 type were used although the caliper adaptors and hubs were redesigned. The handbrake caliper assembly sits above the rear calipers and is operated by rods pivoted from a mechanism bolted to the differential.
Dunlop Discs & Drums on early cars
Dunlop Disc Brakes front & rear (541 deluxe on)
Clayton Dewandre servo on early cars
Girling servo later
Early 541’s used modified Cam Gears steering boxes and from 1957 a Rack Pinion system was adopted. Typical tie & steering rods system connected to steering arms at the stub axles.
The 17”Blumel steering wheel, common on a number of 1950’s vehicles have a tendency to split badly. Costly to repair but good reproduction wheels are available. The steering wheel position is adjustable along the steering column axis by means of a nut below the steering boss.
Never a company to economise on driver or passenger comfort any Jensen car is known for it’s luxurious interior. Designed for touring the 541 interior has stylish and comfortable leather front seats, pile floor carpet, padded dash, glove box, central armrest and map box.
Passengers to the rear enjoy good leg room and equal comfort. Heating control on the dashboard and ventilation is very good. Being a 1950’s vehicle there are plenty of ashtray’s and no seat belts, although these can be retro fitted.
6 Cylinder Austin Sheerline 3993cc
Cylinder Bore: 87.3mm
Compression Ratio 7.4/1
Overhead valves
AC Mechanical fuel pump