Profile of a Jensen-Healey

Owned by Tim Knowlton

The photo's below were taken of my 1974 Jensen-Healey. The Jensen-Healey marque was built from 1972 through 1976. The 1976 version is the GT which was virtually the same car with a coupe hardtop. In the early years the company was faced with problems, and by mid 1974 they made significant changes such has upgraded interior trim and a German 5 speed gearbox. They also added the heavy shock resistant rubber bumpers for export into the United States to meet the safety requirements of the time. This version is known as the 74-1/2 or the JH5. Not all 74-1/2 cars had the 5 speed.

I have 15,000 original miles on my vehicle. It is powered by a 16 valve Lotus engine with twin 40mm Dellorto carburetors. This was a European specification at the time. Most of the US cars came equipped with twin Stromberg carbs for emissions reasons. I have owned the car since May of 2001 and it is my third one. Since I have owned I have made several changes as indicated below.

Went to a 14 inch Panasport wheel from the stock 13 inch

Added Yokahama AVR series tires

Replaced the 23lb flywheel with a Tilton aluminum 7lb wheel

Replaced the entire clutch with a high performance one

Replaced the entire exhaust system including the header manifold with a one piece tube back to the double tips

Added a Petronix Igniter

Added 8mm high temp plug wires

Added a new alternator and battery

Added front and rear sway bars

Added the roll bar, baby Tornado mirrors, side molding and the pin stripping

Installed a Nakamichi CD/receiver and custom speakers

Added a remote radar to the car