For vehicle enthusiasts, classic car restoration stories can feel as thrilling as a high-speed chase through twisting mountain roads. But not all restoration tales are created equal—and some are truly stranger than fiction. Meet Bruce and his Jensen CV8 MKIII, a car with a past so harrowing and miraculous that it’s become a legendary story in the world of automotive restoration.
What begins as a cautionary tale of misplaced trust ends with a jaw-dropping transformation and the revival of a rare gem, thanks to our dedicated team at StreetWorks and an owner’s love for vintage cars.
The Jensen CV8 MKIII – A Brief History
Over a decade ago, Bruce came across a Jensen CV8 MKIII—a dream car for many classic car connoisseurs. The Jensen CV8 was an icon of the early 1960s, sporting a striking fiberglass body and powered by the throaty Chrysler V8 engine. It was an advanced and rare car for its time, known for delivering a perfect blend of understated elegance and raw performance.
Launched in 1962, the Jensen CV8 was ahead of its time. Its fiberglass body was an unusual feature at the time; the CV8 allowed for lightweight agility paired with the raw power of its Chrysler V8 engine. Its MKIII version, debuting in 1965, represented the pinnacle of the model’s evolution with updated features and a sleeker design. While less than 500 units were ever made during its brief production run, the CV8 made a significant impact and became a coveted treasure for vintage car collectors to this day.
As if this car wasn’t precious enough, Bruce’s was one of the only left-hand drive cars and was the very last one built. For people like Bruce, who love antique vehicles, owning a Jensen CV8 MKIII is as much about the car’s rarity as it is about its unmatched drive and character.
The First Encounter – A Deal Too Good to Be True
Bruce purchased the car from a seller who immediately offered to restore it himself. Looking to breathe new life into the rarified Jensen CV8, Bruce agreed. He paid everything upfront, so all Bruce could do was wait.
The restoration process lasted years, with the seller sending Bruce updates in the form of photos. The images appeared promising, showing steady progress on a vehicle that seemed to match Bruce’s car perfectly. But optimism turned to dismay when Bruce discovered a harsh truth—those photos weren’t of his Jensen CV8 at all. The seller had been deceiving him the whole time, sending pictures of an identical Jensen CV8 the man owned himself. At some point during this ruse, Bruce’s car was stolen. Both the seller and the car disappeared, leaving Bruce without a car and out of luck.
A Decade of Hopelessness
For over ten years, Bruce believed the dream of restoring his Jensen CV8 was dead. The car was gone with no trace of its whereabouts, and the chances of recovering such a rare vehicle seemed near impossible.
But sometimes, second chances come when they’re least expected.
A Special Vehicle Abandoned In A Field
Out of nowhere, Bruce received a fateful call from an Australian stranger. His Jensen CV8 had been found—though it was hardly in the condition he’d envisioned reclaiming it.
His long-lost Jensen had been found abandoned in a field in Minnesota. The car was completely disassembled and spread throughout the field. In fact, a tree was growing through the engine compartment! Despite the shocking discovery, Bruce didn’t hesitate—he arranged to have the pieces transported to him and set out to make things right.
While the car was a shell of its former self, it still held promise. Bruce arranged for the remains to be sent to his trusted restoration partner, StreetWorks Exotics, a shop he knew could handle a project of this magnitude.
Bruce’s Classic Vehicle Finally In The Right Hands
Knowing the gravity of the restoration challenge ahead, Bruce turned to a team he trusted deeply—StreetWorks. This wasn’t our first rodeo restoring classic cars for Bruce; our crew had previously restored Bruce’s Lancia Zagato, which went on to be featured at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Rebuilding the Jensen CV8 MKIII was no small undertaking. Every inch of the body needed to be stripped, repaired, and recoated. The Chrysler V8 engine, once a powerhouse, had to be brought back to life. Even the floor of the car was missing completely and had to be entirely remade using another Jensen CV8 as a template. Yet, every challenge was met with precision and expertise.
StreetWorks didn’t just aim to make the car functional—we intended to return it to top shape, showroom-ready condition. Every dent, crack, and flaw was meticulously repaired. The car’s original charm, from its sleek curves to its refined interior, was carefully revived.
What made Bruce’s car especially daunting was the car’s fiberglass body. Fiberglass construction, while innovative for its time, presents unique challenges in restoration. Many shops don’t have the expertise or tools required to repair, reinforce, or reshape this type of material. Fortunately, StreetWorks was more than equipped to take on the challenge of fiberglass body work and give it a new gel coat.
Preserving Authenticity – A Balancing Act
Preserving the essence of the original car was pivotal throughout the restoration process. StreetWorks worked meticulously to keep the Jensen CV8 as authentic as possible while subtly updating components to meet modern safety and performance standards. The goal was to maintain its 1960s charm while ensuring it could be driven on today’s roads.
From sourcing original parts to painstakingly matching paint colors, every step was taken to preserve the authenticity of this automotive treasure.
The Jensen CV8 Reborn
After months of painstaking effort from our expert classic car restoration shop, the Jensen CV8 MKIII was reborn. Its fiberglass body gleamed in the light with a radiant finish, and its restored Chrysler V8 engine growled with power once more. Every detail, from its craftsmanship to its performance, was a tribute to the car’s history and Bruce’s perseverance.
For classic vehicle enthusiasts, seeing a rare model like the Jensen CV8 MKIII restored to its former glory feels like something of a miracle. Bruce’s car was not only brought back from near destruction but transformed into a work of art—a testament to its owner’s dedication and our restoration team’s unmatched skill.
The Grand Reveal – A Dream Realized
After months of rigorous work, Bruce finally stood face-to-face with his restored Jensen CV8 MKIII. Gleaming under the sunlight, the car looked like it had just rolled out of the factory in 1965. Every detail, from the handcrafted body to the roar of the revitalized Chrysler V8 engine, was nothing short of its original condition.
Bruce’s CV8 was back, and it was magnificent.
“The whole StreetWorks team was great,” Bruce shared. “I have nothing but good things to say about Matt and his crew.”
Ready To Start Your Own Restoration Story?
If Bruce’s incredible story inspired you, why not get the wheels turning on your own restoration project? Whether you’re breathing life back into a vintage vehicle or enhancing your collection of muscle cars, trust the experts who know these machines best.
Get in touch with StreetWorks today and see how our expertise can turn your automotive dream into reality.
Watch an interview with owner and Winston Goodfellow as they discuss the journey of this vehicle and its restoration by StreetWorks.
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