Well, since we last met, we've added to our family fleet.  From the shot above you can see the infamous 13057 is now sharing garage space with an Italian newcomer.  The new stable mate is a 1982 Fiat Spider 2000.  We acquired the Fiat in June of 2000.   About the middle of March '01 the Fiat will become primary transportation for #2 son.  Until then, I have been saddled with the responsibility of making sure the batteries don't go flat, the brakes don't seize and the tops still go up and down . . . . I know, it's a tough job, but I think I can handle it!

Before #1 son departed for the US Coast Guard Academy, we had a brief photo session as you can tell below.  Two of the three have dual overhead cam engines, two are fuel injected, two are straight shifts, all three have custom wheels, nice (not killer) stereo systems and all three get their fair share of attention in our Western Kentucky locale.

While there are many similarities between the Fiat and the JH, I am amazed at how  the character of the two cars differ.  The JH is very familiar territory to anyone who has driven a British sports car.  It has that low-down-drag-your-rear feel to it.  It feels very fast, very sensitive to directional input, very open (especially in the winter).  On the other hand, the Fiat seats you a bit higher, in a plusher environment.  It too feels fast, but a little detached (quieter), it handles beautifully, and seems much more "refined" than the JH.  Of course, they are 9 years apart and the electronic fuel injection of the Fiat is quite different from the side-draft Strombergs of the JH.  Similar purposes in their intent, much different execution!  I love them both!  See my associated page dedicated to the Fiat.

#1 Son choose a little different route for college.  He applied for and was accepted at the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT.  Not only is the USCGA the smallest of the four US military academies, it is the most difficult to get into.  The USCGA accepts only 7% of applicants.  The US Military Academy, the US Naval Academy and the US Air Force Academy accept between 14% and 16% of their applicants.   Total campus population at the USCGA is only about 800, as opposed to approximately 4000 at the other academies.  The Princeton Review lists the US Coast Guard Academy as the second most difficult college in the nation to attain admission to.  Also, Congressional recommendations are not a part of the application process at the USCGA.   Applicants are considered on their own merits alone.  That makes it even more unusual that two students from the same west Kentucky high school should be accepted at this most selective organization.  It is less surprising when you find out that they are both Eagle Scouts from the same Boy Scout Troop and were heavily involved in their church and community.  On the left is my #1 son and 1973 Jensen Healey, on the right is his good friend and his 1966 Galaxie 500 convertible. The Galaxie is red and tan with Cragar classic wheels and a nicely tuned and decorated 390 4V (barrels, not valves) engine!

Ok, enough bragging - Here's what you'll find on our page:

What Is It? - A brief description of one of the most unusual and unknown British Sports cars ever to make it to the shores of the United States--complete with several b & w photos.

Heritage - Using the ol' college research paper format, I've gone in depth on the Jensen Healey with lots of color photos.

Project - This is the chronicle of Jensen Healey #13057, our car.  You will find  lots of photos of our Mk. 1 JH on this page.  Before, after and during our "restoration" efforts.  Even those efforts that are the results of teen-age daily driving!

Links - What Web page would be complete without links?  Here are some fun and obscure links that may be of general interest to anyone, and many specific to the marque and British Sports cars.

Talk to us!  If you would like to comment, or post your JH story, please e-mail me at faulkner@hesenergy.net.  In addition, join the Jensen Mail List you'll find on the links page!

Thanks for visiting!  All photos on these pages are from and by permission of Tony Bailey's Jensen Brochure Page at www.british-steel.org/jensen/brochure .

This page has had 3787 visitors since June 24, 1998 and since it moved here on 3/28/01.

This page last updated 3/28/01.