Make: | Bentley |
Model: | Other |
Type: | Convertible |
Trim: | B Special Speed 8 Tourer |
Year: | 1931 |
Mileage: | 1,592 |
VIN: | B34PV |
Color: | British Racing Green |
Engine: | B81- 6,516cc Straight 8 |
Cylinders: | 8 |
Fuel: | Gas |
Transmission: | 4-speed synchromesh |
Drive type: | RWD |
Interior color: | Green Leather |
Vehicle Title: | Clear |
Item location: | Saint Louis, Missouri, United States |
Remarkable Bentley Speed 8 by Racing Green Engineering LTD! Unbelievable attention to detail, superior build quality, and striking appearance everyone you look! Large 6.5L B81 straight 8 cylinder engine with 4 SU Type H6 carburetors mated to a 4-speed manual transmission! Very rare, very hard to acquire, and a delight for rally tours! Eligible for Bentley Drivers Club Limited events!
It was well know that W.O. Bentley set out to build a great car, that had to be best in class and, of course, fast. With a background in engineering, strongly associated to the aero industry, joining his brother in the automotive section only seems to be a perfect fit. A very successful 6 ½ Liter six cylinder engine series was available in various body configurations, and by 1928, WO’s personal favorite vehicle was introduced as the Speed Six, a sportier road version tuned with performance camshaft, twin carburetion, and higher compression ratio. The full race tuned version of the Speed Six proved very successful winning LeMans in 1929 & 1930. It was available in both long and short wheelbase configurations, with production totaling only 182 units.
The gorgeous design of W.O.’s Speed 6 continues to be admired by all auto enthusiasts today, and this did not go unnoticed by United Kingdom based Racing Green Engineering Ltd. They reproduced its timeless style using a fully refurbished Bentley Mark 6 as the chassis platform and brilliantly duplicate the LeMans body lines using the same ash wood frame construction with aluminum panel overlay and padded Rexine covering. Their coachwork, simply put, is second to none with truly exemplary finish work down to the smallest detail. Calling their version the “B Special Speed 8”, this particular example utilizes the very rare 141” long wheelbase platform from original 1952 Bentley chassis #P34PV with a B81 Straight 8 6.5L engine fitted with quadruple SU H6 carburetion, wet sump lubrication system, remote oil filter, and twin electric fuel pumps! This 8 cylinder power plant produces an estimated 165bhp and 200 lb. ft. of torque exhaling through a large-bore straight through stainless steel exhaust system! It makes the most amazing noise whether idling or under heavy throttle. A Bentley 4-speed manual transmission offers synchromesh in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears.
A gorgeous engine tuned aluminum dash supplies excellent mechanical feedback through an array of instrumentation, along with twin Brooklands windscreens that double as side wind wings, leaving a folding main windshield fitted with electric wipers. A true aircraft inspired cockpit is lavishly draped in green Connelly leather with matching green Wilton close woven carpets also bound in leather. Door and map pockets are detailed with an embroidered “B”, along with beautiful matching step plates at each entry door and flying mascot atop the radiator. The driver & navigator are treated to custom bucket seats and rope-wrapped steering wheel and grab handle.
This vehicle has far too much to soak in visually by way of craftsmanship to properly detail here in written form. From the nickel-plated radiator shell & other bright work, to the level of detail by matching the angle of the screw heads everywhere you look, this really is a drivable piece of rolling art! The polished aluminum firewall, air cleaner & carb assembles, valve cover, and distributor heat shield along with copper fuel & coolant lines all add to the jewel-like appearance inside the engine compartment. Note the extra spark plugs & coil as spare equipment for rally & tour events. Our example is further equipped with a 35 gallon long range fuel tank, mesh stone guards around headlamps, fog lamps, & gas tank, Luvax-Bijour chassis lubrication system, finned brake drums with ventilated fronts (hydraulic front/mechanical servo-assisted rear), complete rewiring to a fully fused 12-volt negative ground electrical system, 21” Rudge-Whitworth wheels (5), rear fender rock guards, upgraded front & rear road springs, 12-blade cooling fan, rear cargo compartment, quick release/locking gas cap, and so much more!
Also included with this vehicle is a full canvass folding top assembly, full cabin tonneau cover, boot cover, and all import paperwork from Europe. It was originally built for a client in Ratingen, Germany with delivery in July 2011. Immediately upon completion, the car was examined by Bentley Drivers Club Limited Eligibility Committee and confirmed to be built using original, period Bentley/Rolls Royce components over 45 years old. At that time, the odometer reading read 84,374kms, and today reads 86,937kms equaling just 2,563kms (1,592 miles) driven. Also included is the original Bentley Certificate of Construction & Technical Specification for the original donor car, original UK registration documentation, German registration paperwork, and first mechanical service receipt completed by Racing Green Engineering 3 months after being built. It has been tour tested in Europe before coming to the United States in March 2016. It is a remarkable collection piece, fine investment for the open motoring enthusiast, and robust factory built car that is truly additive to drive! Please feel welcome to call with questions.
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