Bentleys!

[Smithy]

I know that there's a few here who enjoy vintage motorcars so I thought they might enjoy these as I found them when I was cleaning up the hard drive.

I have a huge love of vintage Bentleys and especially the "real" WO ones and these are from the end of the NZ Bentley Club's national run in Auckland last year. Unfortunately we were a tad late getting there and the 4.5 litre Blower Bentley had left. Anyway here's a few WOs and later models. Hope the English car buffs enjoy them...

 

[MrNewportCustom]

I love all cars, but Rolls Royce and Bentley hold a special place in my heart. Which makes these two of the saddest pictures I have seen:

From Rust in Peace, by Malcolm Tucker


Lee
_________________________

I'm keeping some of your photos, Smithy.

 

[MrNewportCustom]

Smithy, have you seen Jay Leno's 1931 Bently W.O.?


Lee

 

[Smithy]

Thanks for that MrNewportCustom, nice photos of the old girl as well. Pleased you liked the pics and nice to hear someone else enjoys these big, old brutes

Here's my dream Bentley, an original 4.5 Blower driven by Birkin

 

[MrNewportCustom]

That is a beautiful automobile, Smithy. You have exquisite taste.


Lee

 

[Dixon Cannon]

Who knows the story on this one...

This '56 Bentley S1 Touring Saloon is purported to be John Lennon's. Lennon actually owned a '65 RR Phantom V, which is famous for it's psychedelic livery. I've never seen Lennon or any Beatle associated with this automobile. Do any of you Bentlephiles know anything of it's origins? I do know it was on display at the Picture Car Company of Hollywood for years - again purported to be Lennon's. I'm skeptical! Anybody know about this one?

-dixon cannon

 

[Smithy]

Quite some years ago now Christie's auctioned a Lennon Bentley with psychedelic paint and complete with purple leather interior.

As I mentioned above prewar Bentleys are my interest so my books reveal nothing but I think it's safe to assume that it's this S1.

Frightful paintjob!

 

[Speedster]

I like pre-war Bentleys as well.

Here are a few shots of them during the 2006 Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix. The pictures have not been taken by me but i was there watching them race.

 

[Smithy]

Thanks muchly for those Speedster great photos!

Here's a great old snap of Birkin in the 1930 Le Mans blasting along in the 4.5 Blower

 

[Twitch]

That 2nd one from the top which shared body style with the regular RR is for me the epitome of the marque. I consider every model hence to be less and less a true RR.[huh]

 

[Smithy]

Twitch from 1931, when RR bailed out Bentley, until 1998 very much all Bentleys were merely rebadged (and re-grilled!) RRs. VW has at least created Bentley again as a separate marque and refocused on Bentley's traditional value of performance. It was nice to see the Bentley badge again at Le Mans as well. I think WO would at least be happy about that.

The S series cars are elegant but a little too RR for me, they lack the almost brutal engineering strength of the prewar Bentleys. Beautiful coachwork though.

 

[MrNewportCustom]

Smithy, I was reading the current issue of AutoAficianado, an absolutely beautiful magazine, and saw an ad for their back issues. Your Bentley (UR 6571) is on the cover of issue one. Click on the issue cover photo to read a sample of the story, which is about several Bentleys over the years. This is the second issue I've received, and I'll be ordering all fourteen of the back issues soon. (It'll actually cost thirty-five dollars less to duplicate the previous issue than to order all but that one. I'll give it to a kid at work. lol)


Lee

 

[Vintage lover]

Smithy, since you seem to like the really old models, you might try the Stutz Bearcat? Personally I tend to lean towards the Duesenbergs and Packards of the 20's and 30's.

 

[Smithy]

Thanks Lee, fantastic stuff and it's got the Blue Train Bentley in it, I might have to stump up for a back issue!

Thanks for the pic vintage lover, lovely car. But my interest is in classic British cars and especially Bentleys. Stutz made some wonderful motorcars though and that is a beauty.


EDIT: Lee just remembered (and dug it out) the British magazine Evo released a special edition called "Best of British Supercars" which has a very good article on the 4.5 Blower and with some great pics of UU5872. It's an interesting read as the article is preceded by a indepth look at the Continental T, what the reviewer considers the modern equivalent of the Blower.

Lots of other good stuff in there as well, with lots of classic as well as modern British sports/super/cars. Worth a look-see.

I would dearly love to see a book released which covers all aspects of the 4.5 Blower, history, technical, racing history, survivors, all in encyclopædic detail. There's books out there but none cover this iconic motorcar to the level of detail and thoroughness it so dearly deserves.

 

[benstephens]

That is a lovely selection of Bentley's. I would love a speed six, but can not see that happening!

Ben

 

[Smithy]

Then you may wish to think about this firm in Devon.

http://www.bobpetersenengineering.co.uk/aboutus.htm

Look up their Speed Six offering and the specs. Their replicas are made mostly from genuine Bentley and RR parts and many Bentley owners clubs will even accept membership from owners of these cars as they are so close to the originals. Still will set you back a pretty penny though Ben!

 

[benstephens]

They are lovely Smithy, However, I am not sure my pockets are deep enough, I will have to enjoy the Riley until a spot of luck!

Ben