Jensen - Jensen 541
The Jensen 541 went into production for 1954, having been launched in late 1953. The 541 was unusual at the time for having a fibre glass constructed body, which was a very early almost pioneering example of using this technology for building car bodies. This was a light weight car with sporty fast back 2 door saloon, and powered by the 6 cylinder Austin 4 litre power plant (as used in the Sheerline), with a gearbox which was usually attached to an optional overdrive. For 1956 the drum brakes were replaced on all 4 wheels with disc brakes, to make the 541 the very first completely disc braked production car. By 1957 the 541R was redesigned with a rack and pinion steering while more power was also available from the 4 litre engine. This was followed by the wider bodied Jensen 541S for 1960, fitted as standard with the Rolls Royce "hydramatic" gearbox, mated to the more powerful Austin engine that was now fitted with a Weslake modified cylinder head fed by triple carburettors. The 541S also had an altered grille style, presumably in anticipation of a much more powerful engine to come. Production of the Jensen 541 tapered off in 1963 as Jensen started building the CV8 with the Chrysler engine.
Jensen 541 tyre size was initially for 16 inch wheels with cross ply 5.50x16 size for the 541's built originally, but the subsequent Jensen 541R and 541S models had smaller 15" wheels and cross ply tyre size 6.40x15 . At Blockley we produce a great period looking superb handling 5.50L16 tyre for the earlier 541, although most owners prefer to fit the radial ply 185VR16 size. For the later Jensen 541's using 15 inch wheels we would recommend our high speed rated steel belt Blockley 185VR15 size, which is the equivalent of the original cross ply size. The wider version of the 185VR15 is the 205/70VR15, which has the same diameter, and we have supplied many Jensen owners with this wider 205/70VR15 tyre size also. See full details of all four of these Jensen 541 tyres at the links below:
