Unveiled in 1966 at the London Motor Show, the Jensen FF was immediately voted Car of the Year by the motoring press based on its outstanding technical ability.

FF stood for Ferguson Formula, the four wheel drive system developed by Harry Ferguson for racing cars, that split the torque unequally between the front and rear wheels resulting in sure-footed and excellent handling, especially for such a big GT.

This combined with Dunlop Maxaret anti-lock braking another first – which are almost unnervingly good compared to other classics of the era is what led the pundits to call the FF the World's Safest Car.

Looks-wise, the extra vents, squared-off front, and half-foot longer wheelbase give the FF’s game away.

Underneath, the chassis rails have moved outboard to accommodate the Bill Chatterton-designed Ferguson four-wheel-drive system.

By winning huge plaudits when new was perhaps the reason for the existence of the FF - to reaffirm Jensen as a forward-thinking can-do firm.

Even to...