The Rare Shooting Brake: A 1976 Jensen GT With Just 28,000 Miles

For collectors in search of something genuinely different, the 1976 Jensen GT stands out as a fascinating footnote in British sports car history. Born from the Jensen-Healey platform, this distinctive two-door shooting brake offered a blend of practicality and performance that its roadster sibling could never quite match. Now, a remarkably low-mileage example has surfaced for sale in Playa Del Rey, California, carrying an asking price of $6,400—already reduced from its original $7,200 listing.

Production numbers tell the story of just how uncommon this car is. The Jensen GT was built for only two model years, 1975 and 1976, with a mere 511 units rolling off the line. Of those, only 293 were configured in left-hand drive, making this particular car a rare find for American enthusiasts. The odometer reportedly shows just 28,438 original miles, and the interior presents in exceptional condition for its age—a detail that stands out even among well-preserved survivors.

Under the hood, the GT carried forward the Lotus-derived twin-cam, 16-valve engine that had powered the Jensen-Healey. This powerplant would later find fame in the Lotus Esprit once its early teething issues were resolved—largely at Jensen’s expense during the development years. For the GT, Jensen upgraded the transmission to a ZF five-speed unit starting in 1975, a significant improvement over the original four-speed. US-market cars typically came with twin Stromberg CD175 carburetors, though many have since been modified with Weber or Dellorto setups by owners seeking more performance.

This particular example comes with a notable caveat. According to the seller, an attempt to install a Pertronix electronic ignition system left the car unable to start. While frustrating, such issues are often traced to wiring problems rather than the ignition unit itself, and a replacement system is readily available for around $340. Detailed guidance from the Jensen Healey Preservation Society can help diagnose installation pitfalls, and reverting to a traditional points setup remains a viable fallback.

The GT’s interior was considered plush for its era, and Jensen’s seats are widely regarded as more comfortable than those of many contemporaries. The two-spoke steering wheel, however, remains an acquired taste. Jensen marketed the model as “The Good Thinking Car,” and the rear seats were honestly described as “occasional”—realistically suitable only for small children. With its elegant shooting brake profile and genuine rarity, this Jensen GT represents an intriguing opportunity for anyone drawn to unconventional British classics.