Tributes to the original Chassis Data book

Some of the more sacrilegious among my mates in the Jensen-owning community have described my databook as the Jensen "bible" and my goodself as the "god" of the Jensen world. Personally, I wouldn't go to such extremes but have a look at these unsolicited comments. Some of these are real rippers, especially when you consider I didn't have to pay for them.

• "This is an amazing labour of love and, for Jensen owners, an absolute goldmine of information. A truly astonishing piece of work but, as they say, there's more! Jensen enthusiasts around the world will be awaiting the remainder of Calver's books with bated breath."
  — Allan Walton, New Zealand Classic Car, August 2003
  
  
• "This extraordinary tome is the first of Richard Calver's planned four-volume history of Jensen. A mammoth undertaking, it has to be for Jensen fanatics only. We look forward to the publication of future volumes with interest."
  — Malcolm McKay, Classic Cars, December 1991

• "This is an immense work undertaken by an enthusiast ... an invaluable aid to the owner."
  — Lynda Springate, Beaulieu Bookshelf, December 1991

• "You need to be particularly keen to buy it, but those who do will not be disappointed ... a magnificent piece of work."
  — Nigel Beck, Regalia Secretary, Jensen Owners Club (UK), October 1991

• "A masterpiece ... a most interesting study for the true enthusiast ... a must for anyone interested in the marque."
  — Peter Wallis, Chairman, Jensen Owners Club (UK), August 1991

• "A must for all Jensen enthusiasts. It has been my bedside reading since I got it."
  — Graeme Watkins, Secretary, Jensen Car Club (Australia), June 1991

• "I should think it will become a prescribed possession for existing and future Jensen buffs — you are to be congratulated."
  — Ian Orford, Managing Director, Jensen Cars Ltd 1984-88, October 1991

• "A most comprehensive work."
  — Eric Neale, Chief Body Engineer, Jensen Motors Ltd 1946-66, August 1991

• "A mammoth work ... you must already be the world authority on the Jensen marque."
  — Richard Graves, Marketing Director, Jensen Motors Ltd 1966-75, August 1991

• "An amazingly thorough work."
  — Martin Jensen, November 1991

• "Your volume is an amazing achievement ... my very best wishes."
  — Alan Jensen, August 1991

Want more?

• "Richard Calver's Chassis Data book lists nearly every Jensen ever made! It is important
  that every Jensen owner purchases one of these books as it should become part of your
  Jensen's documentation, as the owner's manual and service history are. Purchasing the
  data book also shows your appreciation of Richard's efforts (can you imagine how much
  work went in to this?) and will let him continue his researches and thus further volumes."
  — Keith Anderson, JOC (UK), December 1995

• "You must have the same curiosity for problem-solving as I do. It has been a real pleasure
  to read your replies as I now feel more confident that I have been on the right track rather
  than blindly changing things for the sake of it."
  — Nick Devereux, JOC (UK), March 1996

• "You are really fantastic helping Jensen owners with different problems!"
  — Paul Matell, SJDC (Sweden), March 1996

And from some of you who paid actual money for it ...

"Thank you very much for your extensive information. I think I now have a very clear image of how things went at that time. I think Jensen owners should be very grateful to have the opportunity to ask questions like I did to someone who has investigated the history of the brand so thoroughly as you did. And on top of that they should be even more grateful to find out that it seems that you never grow tired of taking the time to answering all those questions and always take those questions seriously. Again, thank you very much. You have been an enormous help to me, first by your book, second by the answers to my questions."

"I have now purchased a copy of your Chassis Data Book. A fascinating volume, and extremely good value given the lifetime of effort to put it together! Apart from being able to have a record of a car that is in your ownership, there's such a wealth of interesting facts which emerge from reading the listings of the others, thereby gaining an understanding the development of the marques. May I join the many enthusiasts in thanking you for putting such an excellent book together."

"First, let me THANK YOU for all of your hard work and dedication!! We (my brother and myself) have 5 Jensen Healeys between us and we are CONSTANTLY picking-up your chassis data book - CONSTANTLY! It's an incredibly useful source of information."

"Richard, for what it is worth, that bloody Chassis book is invaluable! Any tight wad who is looking at buying a car, and doesn’t want to shell out the money for your book is probably a dickhead."

"Can only imagine the time and work involved. Just know that the book is our bible! It's the first thing we grab when thinking or looking at Jensens, and perhaps the main reason for us owning. It's the history, the link with past (the "birth" certificate info if you will) and the active owner's club that keeps us going. The history and link are all because of you and the info you have provided. I'm sure the owner’s club is fueled greatly by your research and info as well."

"You are indeed relentlessly keeping records and I, for one, am deeply thankful.  Someone really needs to and for whatever reason, you’ve taken it up.  Look forward to meeting you f2f someday."

"Firstly may I congratulate you for the immense effort you have put in to create the Jensen Chassis Book which is now an invaluable reference source for us all."

" ... loved it, especially the wide format ... excellent ... amazing ... looking forward to the next volumes ... a tremendous job ... bloody terrific, a real credit to you ... really excellent, a tremendous amount of work ... an incredible work ... spent hours reading it, love it ...... bravo for an exceptional book ... an absolutely splendid book, you deserve the highest praise for what you are doing ... really appreciate what you are doing ... wish you well in your historic recording efforts ... you are to be congratulated ... an admirable project and I look forward immensely to the next volume."

And my all-time favourite? — "The mutt's plums!" Thanks Steve.

So what are you waiting for? Go get a copy!

Looking for the list of suppliers?

© Richard Calver 2000–2020

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