sales@ndrbentley.com. 01923 220370
We have written many times about the Ricardo 4 Litre engine which was placed into the 8 Litre chassis in 1931, which was sanctioned by the accountants who were running the company.
It was an attempt at cost saving which simply didn't work in practice. The 4 litre engine was fine, but it was not powerful enough for the magnificent 8 Litre chassis and it turned a magnificent Bentley into a complete dullard. Fifty were made and the company closed its doors.
Thankfully within 12 months, former employees of the Bentley company were removing the Ricardo engine and fitting 61/2 or 8 Litre engines and, thank the Lord, this practice has continued by proper Bentley folk ever since. Only a handful of original 4 Litres survive and far from being sought for their originality are sought by enthusiasts to be fitted with the wonderful Bentley 6 1/2 or 8 Litre engines, for in such a Bentley is all of the old company's best bits.
Of course there are are a few diehards who persist with the 4 Litre in its original form and one can only assume that this is because they enjoy wheezing asthmatically up an incline with the few remaining horses straining at the collar whilst frustrated cyclists try to overtake. What a complete bollocks the accountants made of signing that project off in 1931.
So, in the greatest spirit of Bentley enthusiasm enter modern day Bentley spanner man David Ayre, all round Big engine Bentley fan and heroic driver, For here he has created something so great from something so dull.
Taking an original 4 Litre which had been disassembled, he rebuilt the Bentley you see here into an absolute driving machine fitted with an original 6 1/2 Litre engine fitted with an 8 Litre cylinder block (as also can be seen on The Bentley Black Train which we have for sale)
New pistons, con rods, crankshaft, water pump and in fact anything that comes into contact with an engine's vital fluids were all replaced and a trio of 8 Litre carburettors were fitted. The work goes on, small countries could be carpeted from coast to coast for less than the expenditure on this Bentley. New radiator, new racing D type gearbox, the chassis re engineered for optimum handling. which was how it was done by those who raced Bentley specials at Brooklands in the 1930's.
The dashboard has a wonderful array of splendidly clustered instruments and the whole affair is quite enthralling. All of this work contained in a beautifully crafted aluminium 2 seater body. Then you press the start button!
This is a ferocious car in competition on the race circuit and yet is surprisingly docile when required to be so on the open road and will tour comfortably and smoothly. The radiator is a reduced height Speed Six example and keeps the engine cool in traffic. Surefooted, with remarkably good brakes this is everything you would want it to be - and more.
You have probably got the general idea by now,
We are not expecting this to hang around - in any sense - so if you are planning a Bentley treat this Christmas, pick up the telephone to avoid disappointment, toupée tape or flying helmet now in stock
01923 220370
sales@ndrbentley.com
