By the late 1950s the need to offer automatic transmission in luxury cars, even those of sporting character, signalled the end of Jensen's reliance on Austin's 4.0-litre six.

The latter being deemed insufficiently powerful, the West Bromwich concern turned to Chrysler's 5.9-litre V8 that came with the admirable Torque-Flite automatic gearbox as standard.

The engine/transmission package debuted in the all-new C-V8 in October 1962, and while the car's highly individual styling was not to everyone's taste there were no complaints about its performance, the C-V8's 136mph maximum speed and outstanding acceleration making it, 'one of the fastest cars we have ever tested, and the fastest full four-seater,' according to The Motor.

The model was revised through MkII and III versions, Chrysler's 6.3-litre V8 becoming standard part way through MkII production.

Finished in green with beige leather interior, this apparently complete C-V8 has a sound body and thus would make an ideal candidate f...