Girls & Cars: Introducing Harriadnie Beau and the Jensen Interceptor

Those of us of a certain age will remember the way cars used to be advertised back in the 1970s. Some of the most memorable ones might be considered sexist or even misogynistic these days, but there were also some real gems, the kind of promo shot which made both the car and the model look good.

But that was then and this is now, the art of tasteful girl and car photography seems but a distant memory, replaced by the all too familiar combination of fake boobs, string bikini and a soaped up sponge.

So it’s a refreshing change to bring you a blast from the past – both the car and style of photo shoot taken by author, journalist and photographer Richard Gunn.

But first to the subjects of the shoot – the newly revitalised Jensen Interceptor and model, singer and presenter, Harriadnie Beau Phipps.

The original Jenson Interceptor graced our roads during the 60s and 70s and was one of ‘the’ best cars to have in a hand of Top Trumps, what with its huge 7.2-litre Chrysler V8 engine, all-wheel drive (in the FF version) and numerous other innovations which made the equivalent Ferrari or Lamborghini seem somewhat crude.

It was every boy’s dream car, so it’s reassuring to know these cars are now in safe hands – being restored, modified and enhanced by Jensen International Automotive (JIA) – a new British company formed in 2010.

Thanks to JIA the bespoke hand-built Interceptor is once again a viable choice. Time moves on and the 7.2-litre V8 has been replaced by a 600bhp supercharged Corvette LS3 6.2-litre V8, so perhaps progress isn’t such a bad thing after all.

Harriadnie Beau (pron. Harri-add-nee-bow) is a 19-year old Haute Couture model from Essex who has recently added cars to the long list of brands she represents. She is the face of Jenson Interceptor and of the new Tushek Renovatio. She was also the cover model for Alfa Romeo’s 2012 Calendar.

Despite not (yet) being a petrolhead, Harriadnie is committed to working closely with Jensen and Tushek, so you’ll be seeing a lot more of her (and the cars she represents) here on SkiddMark.

Harri is a down-to-earth and approachable girl, so if you like what you see in these images, why not pop along to the annual Salon Privé garden party at Syon Park, London on 5th – 7th September 2012, where Harriadnie will be gracing the Tushek stand.

Photos: Richard Gunn

Useful Links: Cropredy Bridge (Jensen Cars), Harriadnie Beau’s personal website.