Bentley Arnage Limousine by Jordan.

I have taken the guidance from Henry Royce. "Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it."

So what I want does not exist, so I have designed it.

Let me explain the history.

In 2003 Bentley made the Bentley Arnage Limousine by Bentley Mulliner.



A 728mm (28 inches) extension to the wheelbase was made, solely to the centre of the car between the two doors.



This extension made great room for the interior. My favourite feature is that the rear foot rests also double as rear facing occasional seats. That is pump seats for Americans and dicky seats for Australians. I really like occasional seats. They are so appropriate for a limousine, perfect for your personal assistant and your security guard.



Here it is in the semi wild.




In 2005 again Bentley made the Bentley Arnage Limousine by Bentley Mulliner. This chariot was quite different to the 2003 model, as there was not an obvious extension between the doors. This style of design is much more proper.



The Bentley Arnage Limousine by Bentley Mulliner was extended and "to retain the car’s aesthetic visual balance, an extra 200mm (8 inches) is located in the ‘D’-pillar alone, a further 200mm is added to the rear doors and a final 50mm (2 inches) in the front doors." That means that the total extension is 450mm (17.7 inches).



This extention does leave a roomy interior.



I am not too sure, but hopefully the foot rests fold up into occasional seats like the 2003 model, and make that many Rolls Royce models from the past. I am sure you could ask Mulliner to make them fold up into seats for you. Hopefully your secretary is not a whale.



Now may I present the world exclusive of the 2007 Bentley Arnage Limousine by me, Jordan. It is in the style of Park Ward.

The design is very balanced, due to the raised roof, the extension in the doors and the recessed rear seats behind the D pillar. The more centralised rear door detracts from the elongation, and the design is enhanced by the united cabin department, doing away with the stretched section of standard limousines.



Such a Proper Motor Car, with vast interior room, due to the added height and elongation, with plenty of space for occasional seats and all the latest technology gadgets. A close up.



I am quite happy with the design, and if I was in the market for a personal limousine, this is what I would commission. It is similar to the Royal Bentley of the Queen of Australia, but without the 'suicide' doors.

Pictures (Bentley PR. Photoshopped by Jordan, Bentley Spotting)

Top Ten Bentley Spotting Posts

This is my 100th Bentley Spotting post, so it's time to blow my own trumpet.



I have been posting for 6 months now, so on average, I post more often then every second day. That means that every other day I come up with a article related to Bentley motor cars. It still surprises me that this is still possible after 6 months.

I have decided to do a Top Ten of Bentley Spotting posts.

BENTLEY SPOTTING TOP TEN

1. The Sultan of Brunei's Different Bentleys.

2. Bentley Clear Indicators.

3. Hooper Empress II bodied Bentley Turbo R.

4. Ladies Entering Bentleys.

5. The Bentley Camargue.

6. Bentley Wing Vents.

7. Behind the Bentley Grill.

8. Bentley Four Wheel Drive.

9. Another Musical Interlude from a Car Nut.

10. Bentley Brooklands is the old Bentley Corniche.

Peking to Paris

Driving the Impossible.Peking - Great Wall of China - Inner Mongolia - Gobi Desert - Outer Mongolia - Ulaan Baatar - Steppes of Asia - Siberia - Russia - Moscow - St Petersburg - Estonia - Latvia - Lithuania - Poland - Czech Republic - Germany - Paris - Place de la Concorde.Starts 27 May 2007 till the 30 June 2007. That's 35 days of rallying. Fun but surely challenging.

Trans-continental express.

All information from www.pekingparis.com

The Bentley Drivers in the Rally.

32 Nicholas Bailey(AUS) / Helena Edgill(IRL) 1926 - Bentley 3 - Litre
46 Jean-Pierre Muller(CH) / William Medcalf(GB) 1927 - Bentley 4.5 Le Mans
49 Hans-Dieter Kroenung(D) / Markus Strehle(D) 1924 - Bentley Tourer
50 Robin Grant(GB) / Caroline Wright(GB) 1927 - Bentley Open Tourer
53 Mark Seligman(GB) / Jocelyn Seligman(GB) 1928 - Bentley 4.5 Le Mans
54 Robert Abrey(GB) / Jane Abrey(GB) 1928 - Bentley 4.5 Le Mans
57 Richard Dangerfield(GB) / Jillian Dangerfield(GB) 1929 - Bentley 4.5
58 Dirk Lindenbergh(NL) / Esther Van Vooren(NL) 1929 - Bentley 6.5 Tourer
60 Janine Dunkley(GB) / Christopher Dunkley(GB) 1935 - Bentley 3.5 Tourer
61 Gordon Phillips(GB) / Mark Phillips(GB) 1929 - Bentley 4.5 Le Mans
64 Peter Livanos(CH) / Bruce Blythe(GB) 1929 - Bentley 6.5 Tourer
65 Ioannis Katsaounis(GR) / Franco Lupi(CH) 1929 - Bentley 6.5 Tourer
66 Anthony Goodwin(GB) / Gillian Goodwin(GB) 1927 - Bentley 6.5 Tourer
69 Paul Carter(GB) / Vincent Fairclough(GB) 1936 - Bentley Derby 4.25
71 Peter Leighton-Squires(GB) / Neville Burrell(GB) 1939 - Bentley Derby 4.25
73 Richard Baker(GB) / Peter Boyland(GB) 1937 - Bentley Derby 4.25
78 Gerold Leumann(CH) / Hans-Rudolf Portmann(CH) 1926 - Bentley 6.5 Litre Tourer
81 Engelbertus Kersten(NL) / Berend van den Dool(NL) 1927 - Bentley Speed Six
103 Jens Pilo(DK) / Anne Pilo(DK) 1953 - Bentley R Saloon
122 Francis Carey III(USA) / Gary Wales(USA) 1952 - Bentley Drophead
133 Michael Campbell(GB) / Robin Widdows(GB) 1936 - Bentley Special *
134 Stephen Moore(GB) / Alan Smith(GB) 1953 - Bentley Special *

21% of the entire rally are Rolls Royce and Bentley cars. 16.5% of the fleet are Bentley Motor Cars, and only 4.5% Rolls Royce vehicles.

Here are Peter Livanos and Bruce Blythe in there Bentley Speed Six on a practice run. Good luck Bentley Boys!



Will follow up once the Rally begins!

Pictures (www.pekingparis.com)

Bush Bashing Bentleys

We are not talking of President Bush Bashing, but the colloquial Australia term for driving off road. That is in the Australian bush. Most terms in Australia are colloquial.

Actually, as these pictures are not from Australia. You would expect Bentley utes and beer to be in the background. It is actually the gentlemanly behaviour conducted under the watchful eye of the Vintage Sports Car Club that is known as Time Trials.



It is very British, complete with ridiculous Health and Safety, full body high viability suits, quaint little flags - and it looks bloody cold. I'm sure the winner would receive a stately sum of a pat on the back. Good going, chaps.

These pictures are from the John Harris Trial held in March 2007 in Derbyshire. They were taken by Guy Weatherall from Vintage Knowledge whose 'site is intended to be a knowledge-base for those interested in enjoying vintage (pre-1931) and thoroughbred pre-war cars. Its main focus is the cars that were available UK in that period.'



The first above is of Ben Collins, in a 1925 3/4.5 Bentley that was awarded 1st class. It was is the long wheelbase category. The picture has the comment 'Ben Collings with an enthusiastic group of bouncers in the Bentley' what a good way to obtain traction in the mud.

His father Rodger Collins is below in a 1925 Bentley 3 Litre. He was awarded third class in the long wheelbase standard car category. He apparently was 'following in his son's tyre tracks' around the course.



Guy Weatherall from Vintage Knowledge has taken many fantastic photographs of vintage cars at various trials around the UK. I suggest a look at the gallery of vintage cars in action here. The photograph below is from the Welsh Trials. I does look exciting!



Pictures Copyright Guy Weatherall 2007 of Vintage Knowledge (permission pending)

Bentley Turbo James Young Special

Special Bentleys are exciting. Coachbuilt modern special Bentleys even more. They are a rare breed and do feature often here at Bentley Spotting. Say the Hooper Empress II, the Jankel Azur, the Hooper 2 door turbo, the Sultan of Brunei's different Bentleys, the LEW design GT, the Queens' Bentley, and plenty of others.

Let us present another.

The Bentley Turbo James Young Special.

It is quite special with only four made. Much less than the James Young Silver Shadow / Bentley T 2 door fixed head coupe where 50 were made.

Lets have a look.



The pictures are not that great, but it is definitely a special Bentley. As always, it is in the detail.

Firstly it is by James Young, coachbuilder since 1863. Well before the motor car of course. Details of James Young & Co, coachbuilders Bromley, Kent form part of the National Archives where the drawings, memoranda and photographs are held with the National Motor Museum and the order, sales and job records are held with the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club. Proper heritage.

Lets look at the detail.

Bentleys with vents are cool. Mulliner and Bentley have made numerous types over the years as written about earlier here, but these ones are a different James Young type. Not only are there vents in the front quarter panels, but there are also bonnet heat vents. They are very reminiscent of the Mulliner enhancements to the Bentley Turbo RT. Nice.



Swapping wood for carbon fibre on the dash. How definitely sporting.



The engine has not been enhanced by James Young, they are coachbuilders, not tuners.



I am so hoping that that door sill has James Youngs' name on it.



The car is currently for sale by Hillier Hill a Rolls Royce and Bentley Specialists Association member, of Unit 18 Stilebrook Rd Olney, Milton Keynes MK46. A zoom hacked satellite image here - is that the car driving in the driveway?

View Larger Map

The Hillier Hills description follows:

"1996 Bentley Turbo R James Young Limited Edition.

One of four special edition vehicles produced on a standard wheel base floor pan. Finished with unique Dark Blue/Green Mica paintwork and fitted with a Black vinyl roof and small rear windscreen as per coach built cars. The exterior specification extends to bonnet vents and wing vents, chrome alloy wheels, Red painted brake callipers, Black powder coated door frames, glass roof light, stainless rear stone guards etc. etc. The interior is finished with the special order Dark Green leather. The seats were modified to provide for extra support to the cushions and deeper headrests. The interior woodwork is finished with carbon fibre and the instrumentation utilises chrome bezels and is back-lit in a subtle shade of Orange. Stainless steel tread plates. Special order steering wheel. Drilled accelerator pedal. Push button start. The list of extras make this car something special.

Having covered 53,000 miles the car represents excellent value for money. Now reduced for quick sale at £24,950.00 owing to owners imminent arrival of new car."

Pictures courtesy (Hillier Hills)

Ebay coachbuilts of the week

Some great coachbuilt cars have popped up on ebay this week. They are the A cars not the B ones, as in Rolls Royce not Bentleys, but hey they are great!

The first on the British ebay site on a magnificent 1993 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit Park Ward Limousine.

Item number: 220104182590 Chassis number SCAZWO2D8NCX80011



This is such a Proper Motor Car. Simply divine. I love the raised roof, and the discrete elongation. Very Royal.



The Park Ward Limousine is for sale by ebay user Fulham Bob, who was also selling the Flying Spurs last week.

Now from the other side of the pond and again an 'A' car a coach built Silver Spirit 2 door convertible. I am not sure, but is this the super rare Azur model by Jankel as written about before? Probably not, but at least a guess.



Is it just me, or does the rear quarter panel 'hip' look humped? I think it is. Very reminiscent of the Corniche



The car is described as a 1990 Rolls Royce SILVER SPIRIT II 2-Door Custom Convertible Item number: 200102271032. Chassis number SCAZS02DXLCX31319. I would take it. Bentley Long Island Dealer direct link.

The final ebay find this week is another Park Ward 'factory' limousine. Not as impressive as the one in London, but at least it is not the length of two double-decker buses.



Item number: 290106583129 Chassis number SCAZY19E0XCX80540



Lots of Rolls Royces' and no Bentleys, oh well. I'm not in a sporting mood.

Pictures Courtesy (Fulham Bob, Bentley Long Island, koficollection33)

Non Plastic Interior

Take a look at this Rolls Royce out the front of P.A. Woods.

Very impressive.



But what really is amazing is the interior.





Why do car manufactures use plastic these day, when you could have this?

I would not mind seeing the inside of this beauty also.



Pictures (P.A. Woods, webfind)

It's Gumball 3000 Weekend next weekend. Get Ready!

Next weekend is the start of the 9th annual Gumball 3000 rally. Get ready!

Last year a Bentley Continental GT won - well crossed the finish line first. It was driven by a Gumball 3000 veteran Alex Roy. The Bentley was dressed as a 'Intercept' car complete with sirens and flashing lights - in a tactic for other cars to get out of the road! It totally worked, and was stuffed full of anti radar / lazer detection devises, to limit speeding fines and the law. It was of Team Polizei.

Also on last years rally was Team Satan from New Zealand that have featured on Bentley Spotting earlier here.



They actually got married in Vegas! Crazy Kiwis.



There was also the infamous Rolls Royce Phantom crash. It was captured on video!



The grill was souvenired by a fellow Gumballer, then presented back again on the podium at the finishing party, held where else, but the Play Boy mansion!




The rally also featured a nice Bentley Turbo R, driven by very British gents. Nice




It is going to be exciting this year!

Tom Ford's review of the Flying Spur for Fifth Gear

Breaking in a Bentley

As these yanks demonstrate, sometimes a Bentley needed to be broken in.

Especially if the key does not work.

Americans do like doughnuts.

First Bentley Brooklands Videos

Here is a video from the New York Motor Show of the Bentley Press conference where Bentley introduces the new Bentley Brooklands coupe.

Straight from the horses mouth.

It does have good lines, really does remind me of a larger version of the original Bentley Corniche as explained earlier here.



Now for the first video of the Bentley Brooklands in action.

The first year of production is already sold out.

Another interesting fact is that this car starts its life out as a Bentley Azure, then a metal roof is welded in place. Interesting.

Wakui-Kuruma Doraku

For years I have come across photographs of rare Rolls Royce and Bentley cars parked out the front of a metal shed.

The metal shed is distinctive, as it has a sign that reads 'Rolls Royce and Bentley Wakui-Kuruma Doraku' between a split Union Jack.

The cars are just amazing. Here are some examples.






The metal shed is in fact home to the Rolls Royce and Bentley Dealer Wakui-Kuruma Doraku from Japan. It is called the Saitama Showroom and it is in Kazo area of Okuwa, Japan, satellite image of shed here.

拡大地図を表示

You thought the the cars park on the outside of the shed were amazing, now take a look at what is on the inside. Awesome.



I have always wanted to go and take a look around the showroom, but have yet to travel to Japan. So what is the next best thing? How about having a Bentley Spotting reader and fellow Bentley, Rolls Royce and hand gun blogger Hiromiyan from Yokohama as featured previously on Bentley Spotting here to go there for us and walk around with a video camera?

Nothing.

Here are Hiromiyan's videos.

Pictures (Wakui-Kuruma Doraku, Hiromiyan)

(Bentley GT + Camera phone)/Youtube = Speedometre Fixation

We are talking about the younger generation of Bentley boys here.

The first video as shown before - 'Time to make 300'.

Now some fresh Bentley Speedometer Fixation.

I think my formula holds true.

Bentley Continental Flying Spur Mascot

Lets take a look at what named a current new Bentley.



It definitely does make you think. Well yes, it is a Flying Spur.

'The original Flying Spur radiator mascot. HT Johnstone had it made made to go on the Flying Spur prototype. It was mounted on the radiator cap, with the Flying B removed.'

Arthur Johnstone worked at HJ Mulliner, the coachbuilder of the Flying Spur from 1947 until the mid 1960’s.

He wrote in response to Ian Dixon Potter's article on the Bentley “Flying Spur” Type Four Door Continental Sporting Saloons.

'I must correct that the Flying Spur emblem is named after the Mulliner family. When the S series started it was intended that the S type Continental should be only a 2 door model, as in fact the R Type Continental was. However HJ Mulliner wanted to build a 4 door model on the Continental chassis and HT Johnstone (HTJ) Managing Director of HJ Mulliner, persuaded Dr Llewellyn Smith (LS-known to his more intimate colleagues as ‘Doc’ Smith) to allow them to build a 4 door model on this chassis. HTJ wanted to give this model the name ‘Flying Spur’ which is well documented as the heraldic symbol of the Johnstone Clan in Scotland. The ‘Flying Spur’ was supposedly awarded to the Johnstone clan for their help in allowing Bonnie Prince Charlie to escape from the English on horseback. I have always thought that it was not really appropriate to use the family crest on a motor car – particularly now that the modern Flying Spur is actually built in Germany.'

History is interesting.

Bentley no longer makes Flying Spurs in Germany, but they did for a while to keep up with demand.

If you are interested in an original Bentley Continental Flying Spur, a couple have popped up on ebay last week and this, both by seller Fulham_bob.

A 1965 Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur item number 220099353769



And a 1962 Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur 4 Light by HJ Mulliner item number 220101919295



Also a Bentley Spotting reader Jeff Jacobs from New York City sent in his newly delivered 2007 Bentley Continental Flying Spur.







The new one is the fastest four door production car in the world.

Pictures courtesy (Arthur Johnstone, fulham_bob, Jeff Jacobs)