A remarkably rare pre-war hybrid is about to cross the auction block. This 1936 Jensen-Ford Tourer, one of just three left-hand-drive examples built for the American market, is being offered by Kruse Auctions at their Auburn Fall 2026 sale on September 5, without reserve. Bidders interested in a genuinely unusual slice of automotive history can view the full listing and photos here.
The Jensen-Ford lineage began in the early 1930s, when British coachbuilders Alan and Richard Jensen started fitting stylish custom bodies to a range of chassis. Ford, eager to gain a foothold in Britain’s sporting car market, found a natural partner in Jensen Motors of West Bromwich, England. By pairing dependable American V-8 mechanicals with elegant British coachwork, the resulting cars stood apart from anything else on the road. Full background on this particular example is available in the current listing.
Only 30 Jensen-Fords were ever built, and just three left the factory in left-hand-drive configuration for U.S. export. This black example was the first of that trio, originally ordered by California industrialist Percy Morgan. Actor Clark Gable, a close friend of Morgan’s, admired this very car so much that he posed alongside it for a series of period press photographs that remain on file today. More of that documented history can be found in the listing.
Over the decades, this Jensen-Ford passed through a series of notable caretakers, including collector Warren Wyman and later Robert Gottlieb, before joining the celebrated Art Astor Collection in California. It was restored to concours standards in the early 2000s and eventually joined its current private estate collection in the early 2010s. The complete ownership chain and supporting documentation can be reviewed on the auction page.
Under current ownership, the original 221-cubic-inch flathead V-8 received Edmunds Custom heads and a matching dual-carburetor intake manifold, adding a noticeable boost to its performance, while the cabin was refreshed with new faux leather upholstery. Its older restoration has mellowed gracefully, showing the kind of honest, well-used patina that enthusiasts appreciate. For collectors seeking something genuinely different for the show field or a growing collection of pre-war rarities, this Jensen-Ford crosses the block as Lot #625 at Kruse Auctions’ Auburn Fall 2026 sale on September 5, offered without reserve. Full details, photos, and bidder registration are available through the official listing.
Kruse Auctions has been a cornerstone of the collector car world for more than 55 years, with the Auburn auctions earning a reputation for delivering exceptional results. Over the decades, thousands of world records have been set on the Kruse auction stage, making Auburn one of the most recognized and respected destinations in the collector car hobby. Each auction brings together passionate buyers, serious collectors, and industry experts, creating the competitive environment needed to achieve top results for consignors.
Shawn Henry