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Bentley Speed Six 'Blue Train Special
Started by Walter Owen and Henry Bentley in 1919, Bentley Motors took their first LeMans 24 Hours victory in 1924. The main reasons for this success were WO Bentley's determination and natural technical ability. He had worked as an apprentice at the Great Northern Railway and had designed airplane engines before he started his own company. By the time the company went into receivership in 1931, 3033 cars were produced and five LeMans victories were scored.
The various engines produced were technically very similar to the 3 litre four cylinder engine of 1919. Characteristic features were the revolutionary aluminum pistons and an overhead camshaft operating 4 valves per cylinder. These features, together with dry-sump lubrication, were well ahead of the time and it would take decades before many other companies caught up. The cylinder block and head were cast as one piece to prevent gasket leakages. The extremely long stroke provided the slow running engine with plenty of torque.
In 1925 a new six cylinder engined model was announced. It displaced just under 6.6 litre and was equipped with all features that made the 3-litre unit special. More good news came in 1925 when millionaire Captain 'Woolf' Barnato poured extra money in the company. On the track 1925 and 1926 were disaster years; two cars ran out of fuel and one caught fire in 1925, and engine maladies and a late crash took the 3 cars entered in 1926 out of the race. In 1927 a sole surviving 3-litre Bentley took the victory after the leading Aries dropped out of the race, one hour before the end of the race.
Work was started on a special high performance version of the 6 cylinder car, to ensure Bentley's racing future. Introduced in 1928, it was dubbed the Bentley 6 1/2 litre Speed Model or Speed Six. Meanwhile a group of young works racers was formed, with Woolf Barnato as the charismatic leader. Today they are the best known group works drivers and are commonly referred to as the 'Bentley-Boys.' The first success for the Bentley-Boys came in 1928, when the Barnato/Rubin driven Bentley 4 1/2 litre took a difficult victory at LeMans.
Bentley's glory years at LeMans were 1929 and 1930, with the Speed Six dominating both races. Barnato was the winning driver in both years, with Tim Birkin and Glen Kidston respectively as co-drivers. In competition specification the Speed Six engine was good for 200 bhp at 3500 rpm. Together with rock solid reliability this was more than enough to fight off the competition. Financial problems prevented Bentley from competing in the 24 Hour race in 1931 and after Rolls Royce purchased the remains of the company, the racing program was scrapped.
Woolf Barnato did not only race his Speed Six Bentleys, but he used them as daily driver as well. His 'Blue Train Special,' designed and built by Gurney Nutting, is one of the most famous of all Speed Sixes. At a Cannes party Barnato bragged that his Bentley was faster than the Blue Train express between Cannes and Calais. To prove his point he set off the next day as the Blue Train left the station. He crossed the channel the next day and arrived in London four minutes before the Blue Train was set to arrive in Calais.
To commemorate this event he nick-named the Speed Six, that he took delivery of a couple weeks later, 'Blue Train Special'. Gurney Nutting was responsible for the design lowline fastback. Inside there was room for three people, with the rear seat fitted sideways because of the low roof. Extra equipment installed for Barnato included a cocktail cabinet.
In recent years a lot of controversy has arisen about the 'Blue Train Special.' For many years the Gurney Nutting Coupe was considered the car that raced the train. Thorough investigation has unveiled that the actual Speed Six used was fitted with a Mulliner saloon body. The striking Gurney Nutting coupe has since its delivery been known as the 'Blue Train Special' and will most likely be named just that in the future. Interestingly both Speed Sixes are part of the same American collection.
Barnato's Blue Train Special is seen here in the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud in Paris on the occasion of the 2003 Louis Vuitton Classic concours d'elegance. Not surprisingly the 'Blue Train Special' was awarded the 'Best of show' award on one of its very rare public appearances. WM
Bentley 4 1/4 Litre James Young Drophead Coupe
In 1931 Rolls-Royce purchased Bentley Motors and all its assets, starting a partnership that would last over 70 years. With the sale, the Bentley factory moved from Cricklewood to Derby and the Bentley produced there are commonly referred to as 'Derby-Bentleys.' Introduced in 1933 the first of these 'Derby-Bentleys' was simply referred to as the 3 1/2 Litre and was very similar in design to the Rolls Royce 20/25 launched in the same year.
To comply with Bentley's sporty image, the 3 1/2 Litre was equipped with a slightly more powerful engine. This started a tradition of Bentleys being the more powerful and sportier variant of its Rolls Royce counterpart. Power of the six cylinder engine was increased by the addition of a second carburetor and a slight increasement of the compression ratio. Compared to the previous Bentley models, the 3 1/2 Litre was quite a step backwards technically.
The similarity in design between the Rolls Royce and Bentley did make things a lot easier for the many coach-builders which were responsible for the custom coachwork fitted on the two chassis. For the bodies fitted on the Bentley chassis, the coach-builders usually penned a slightly more aerodynamic and sportive designs. The coach-builders included Mulliner, James Young and Vandenplas.
In 1936 Rolls Royce launched the 25/30 model, closely followed by the Bentley 4 1/4 Litre. For the 4 1/4 Litre the second carburetor and higher compression ratio was retained. Production lasted until the outbreak of the War, with over 1200 examples produced, more than of any other Bentley model before. The six-cylinder engine was used in various post-War models as well, until it was replaced by a V8 engine. WM
Bentley 8-Litre Gurney Nutting Sportsman Coupe
Started by Walter Owen and Henry Bentley in 1919, Bentley Motors took their first LeMans 24 Hours victory in 1924. The main reasons for this success were WO Bentley's determination and natural technical ability. He had worked as an apprentice at the Great Northern Railway and had designed airplane engines before he started his own company. By the time the company went into receivership in 1931, 3033 cars were produced and five LeMans victories were scored.
The various engines produced were technically very similar to the 3 litre four cylinder engine of 1919. Characteristic features were the revolutionary aluminum pistons and an overhead camshaft operating 4 valves per cylinder. These features, together with dry-sump lubrication, were well ahead of the time and it would take decades before many other companies caught up. The cylinder block and head were cast as one piece to prevent gasket leakages. The extremely long stroke provided the slow running engine with plenty of torque.
In 1925 a new six cylinder engined model was announced. It displaced just under 6.6 litre and was equipped with all features that made the 3-litre unit special. More good news came in 1925 when millionaire Captain Woolf Barnato poured extra money in the company. On the track 1925 and 1926 were disaster years; two cars ran out of fuel and one caught fire in 1925, and engine maladies and a late crash took the 3 cars entered in 1926 out of the race. In 1927 a sole surviving 3-litre Bentley took the victory after the leading Aries dropped out of the race, one hour before the end of the race.
Work was started on a special high performance version of the 6 cylinder car, to ensure Bentley's racing future. Introduced in 1928, it was dubbed the Bentley 6 1/2 litre Speed Model or Speed Six. Meanwhile a group of young works racers was formed, with Woolf Barnato as the charismatic leader. Today they are the best known group works drivers and are commonly referred to as the 'Bentley-Boys'. The first success for the Bentley-Boys came in 1928, when the Barnato/Rubin driven Bentley 4 1/2 litre took a difficult victory at LeMans.
Bentley's glory years at LeMans were 1929 and 1930, with the Speed Six dominating both races. Barnato was the winning driver in both years, with Tim Birkin and Glen Kidston respectively as co-drivers. In competition specification the Speed Six engine was good for 200 bhp at 3500 rpm. Together with rock solid reliability this was more than enough to fight off the competition. Financial problems prevented Bentley from competing in the 24 Hour race in 1931 and after Rolls Royce purchased the remains of the company, the racing program was scrapped.
In 1930 Bentley launched a new model to take on Rolls Royce in the luxury market; the 8-Litre. As its name suggests the new car packed an eight litre version of the advanced six cylinder engine, which easily produced 220 bhp and bucket loads of torque. There were only very few contemporaries that could match the chassis' refinement, power and price. Due to the take-over by Rolls Royce production lasted for just two years in which 100 examples were built in total of the short and long wheelbase versions.
Featured is a striking long wheel base (just shy of 4 metres) 8-Litre Bentley fitted with a unique Gurney Nutting Coupe body. First owned by RAF Captain John Moller, the large coupe has had an unbroken chain of caring owners. In 1997 a ten year restoration project was awarded with a class prize and best vintage Bentley on show in the 1997 the prestigious Bentley Driver's Club gathering. Subsequently it was shown at various other concours, not surprisingly receiving more awards.
Early in the 21st century the car was sold to the United States and the new owner promptly won a second in class in the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Still in excellent condition throughout, the fixed head Bentley was offered at RM Auctions' 2006 Amelia Island sale. It was expected to sell for $850,000 - $1,100,000, but the knowledgeable bidders present recognized the quality of what was on offer and the car sold for a staggering $1,485,000. WM
Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Mulliner Streamlined Drophead Coupe
In 1931 Rolls-Royce purchased Bentley Motors and all its assets, starting a partnership that would last over 70 years. With the sale, the Bentley factory moved from Cricklewood to Derby and the Bentley produced there are commonly referred to as 'Derby-Bentleys.' Introduced in 1933 the first of these 'Derby-Bentleys' was simply referred to as the 3 1/2 Litre and was very similar in design to the Rolls Royce 20/25 launched in the same year.
To comply with Bentley's sporty image, the 3 1/2 Litre was equipped with a slightly more powerful engine. This started a tradition of Bentleys being the more powerful and sportier variant of its Rolls Royce counterpart. Power of the six cylinder engine was increased by the addition of a second carburetor and a slight increasement of the compression ratio. Compared to the previous Bentley models, the 3 1/2 Litre was quite a step backwards technically.
The similarity in design between the Rolls Royce and Bentley did make things a lot easier for the many coach-builders which were responsible for the custom coachwork fitted on the two chassis. For the bodies fitted on the Bentley chassis, the coach-builders usually penned a slightly more aerodynamic and sportive designs. The coach-builders included Mulliner, James Young and Vandenplas.
In 1936 Rolls Royce launched the 25/30 model, closely followed by the Bentley 4 1/4 Litre. For the 4 1/4 Litre the second carburetor and higher compression ratio was retained. Production lasted until the outbreak of the War, with over 1200 examples produced, more than of any other Bentley model before. The six-cylinder engine was used in various post-War models as well, until it was replaced by a V8 engine.
With the top speeds of cars ever increasing, 'streamlining' became a popular design element in the 1930s. The French and Americans particularly experimented with very round shapes to decrease drag. Mulliner had a more subtle approach for their 'Streamlined' coachwork and concentrated mainly on the details. The body fitted on the featured Bentley 4 1/4 litre is one of those streamliners, recognisable by the covered wing mirrors and the covered rear wheels. It is seen here at the 2006 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. WM
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