BENTLEY SPOTTING

It's the Rolls-Royce of Bentley websites.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Rolls Royce Silver Something Quite

Back in February this year I gave you my first impressions of the new baby Rolls Royce. Visually.

I photoshopped the missing bits onto spy shots of an experimental car.

Firstly I did a bit on an analysis.



Then I drew the bits on that were missing. Click it enlarge.



It does look quite nice. The factory refer to this car as the RR4 - but history dictates that it should be called the Rolls Royce Silver Something Quite.

KGP photography have now taken spy shots on the interior - well the steering wheel and idrive system to be more specific. Take a look via Jalopnik here.

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Thursday, November 27, 2008

Distressed Look Bentley

Take a look at this photo from Japan.

It is a distressed look Bentley Turbo R. A bohemian rebel who refuses to conform to the standard.

Weirdly it looks totally cool and purposeful in bad condition, due to the slight customisations that have been done.



Painted black wheels, black grill, de-chromed bumpers, very dark windows and cut springs.

The dingle at the front and the serious scratch down the side give it the 'I've done some time' look. I like as it is. Don't get it repaired!

Photo (Andy)

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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Bentley Rapier Spotted Again

When I wrote a detailed article on Bentley Rapier built for the Royal Family of Brunei, I received a comment on the post from 'smellielli' that said, 'This car 'lives' on my road. Absolutely love it. Pass it every day!!'

Well one cheeky Bentley Spotter happened to walk down smllielli's street and took a happy snap of the Bentley Rapier through the gate.

The house is presumed to be owned by His Royal Highness Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei.



A total of 6 Bentley Rapiers were build presumably on a modified Continental R chassis with a unique 4 door body.



From the VIN numbers it indicated that the Rapier has a 6.75 Litre V8 single Garrett turbocharger non-catalyst engine, and has twin air bags and is right hand drive.



Now here is again a unique sight. Apparently the below rendering was used in the design consultation process of the car.

Upon seeing this rendering, I would have said build me six as well!



I have serious reservations on the authenticity of this rendering, but am posting it anyway because it is so amazing. The Flying B on the bonnet is the new design B that came out only a couple of years ago, and was not around when this car was made that I know of. But maybe I am looking at it in too much detail.

According to one article, the car is estimated to have cost around £3 million per car to design and construct.

Simply amazing to see such a unique Bentley. Very rare Bentley Spotting.

Pictures (tigerkoi from Pistonheads & Render from anonymous)

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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Bentley Spotting turns 400

This is the 400th Bentley Spotting post, so it's time to blow my own trumpet for the third time. The first was at the 100th post here and the second was with 200 posts here.



This month also celebrates two years of running this site.

Bentley Spotting now has more than 2000 photographs for you to view.

You can watch around 75 videos from Bentley Spotting.

I'm going to claim it - my bloody website has the most crap - I mean content - relating to Bentley and Rolls Royce cars in the world.

So if you like what you read how about giving me money. Donate using the donate button via PayPal on the right column of this page.


So on indulgence being my 400th post I my going post pretty much the standard stuff that I do.

Below is a photo inside the Hooper workshop of a Bentley limousines in its final stages of production.

The Bentley limousine is in my favourite limousine body shape where the centre has not simply been stretched, but is a well proportioned and balanced design that blends the enormity of the car.



This time out the front of Hooper is a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit version of the Limousine.

And being Bentley Spotting, this happens to be a car of the Royal Family of Brunei.

This car is referred to as the Hooper State Limousine 'The Emperor'.



The above car is a this : ROLLS ROYCE SILVER SPIRIT; Registration 1JB; VIN SCAZS000XFCH12230

Happy Bentleyspotting and please do keep on sending in photographs and story ideas to bentleyspotting@gmail.com

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Saturday, November 22, 2008

Rusty Rolls Royces

I do like an unrestored car.



Especially old Rolls Royce cars because it is slightly unexpected that they have not yet been restored.



These were all for sale on the German car sales site Mobile.de a little while ago.



But what I did to them was enhance the photos using photoshop to make them much more vivid. The photos hopefully do not hurt your eyes, just surprise them a little bit.



Finally my favourite. This 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Shooting Brake. The photo manipulation makes it look a bit fake. A little like a dinky toy.



But I still really like this car. And having it restored would be unfortunate. It looks like you could just pick it up!



Just let it age in peace. Everyone will still appreciate it. Not to mention how practical the car is for large loads.



The car is available from The Real Car Co. Ltd. here. The standard photos just do not look as good.

Here is a half/half.



I would so drive around in this car, and say things like, "It's a solid old boy", "It's been good to me, that car", "It's a practical motor", "It's so large I could fit half the town in it","It's been better to me than your mother, son"... I should stop there.

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Bentley Hooper Empress II in Production

Here are photos of a Bentley Hooper Empress II on the street.

Bentley Hooper Empress II 2 SCBZR03D2LCX32776 - Bentley Spotting

To see this car on the street is quite special.

Bentley Empress II by Hooper - Bentley Spotting

To see a Bentley Hooper Empress II actually in production is simply amazing.

Here are photos of a Hooper Empress II in the workshop of Hooper & Co. (Coachbuilders) Ltd.

Bentley Hooper Empress II 2 SCBZR03D2LCX32776 - Bentley Spotting

Viewing these pictures gives a whole different level to the skill and craftsmanship of making a coachbuilt modern car.

Bentley Hooper Empress II 2 SCBZR03D2LCX32776 - Bentley Spotting

It is properly re-bodied. Take a close look.

Bentley Hooper Empress II 2 SCBZR03D2LCX32776 - Bentley Spotting

It is impressive.

Bentley Hooper Empress II 2 SCBZR03D2LCX32776 - Bentley Spotting

Pictures (CARLOS62 & Neil, who made the car at Hooper & Co.)

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Car and Driver review of 2007 Bentley Arnage R

I thought Car and Driver was a serious magazine until I saw this video. It is rubbish.

But what I care about is this new Youtube hack that became public this week were you can watch youtube videos in higher quality, as high as 720p HD if it is available.

Let's see if it works with this video. Here is the standard youtube quality 320x240 in *.flv file.



And now let's try is high quality. It is 480x360 using the H.264 video compression codec *.mp4 file.



"It's hard to imagine a lifestyle so decadent that the Arnage would fit right in."

I'm not sure it that is right. You get get a used Arnage say a 2000 Red Label for well under $50,000, and that is not even trying to get a bargain. You could probably get a Arnage Green Label in the high $30's low $40's.

Check out this previous post about virtual Bentley Spotting using Google maps. It is pretty cool, and I spent way too much time on it!

More on the youtube hack here.

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Bentley Silver Spur Park Ward Limousine by Mulliner

The title is correct. A Bentley Silver Spur Park Ward Limousine by Mulliner.

Well maybe. It is simply a unique coachbuilt car by Mulliner.



Let's try and work our the name from the VIN of SCBZV19E3XCX80259

SC = Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited, Bentley Motors (1931) Limited
B = Bentley
ZV = Silver Spur Park Ward Limousine
19 = 6.75 Litre V8, low pressure single Garrett turbocharger, catalytic converter OBDlI, non-intercooled
E = Twin airbags witih seat belt pretensioning
3 = Checksum Digit
X = 1999
C = Crewe
X = Left hand drive
80259 = Chassis Serial Number

So saying it is a Bentley Silver Spur Park Ward Limousine by Mulliner is technically correct, but kind of wrong.



It would be more appropriate to call it a Bentley Turbo RL 728, like the Bentley Arnage RL 728



It is even more special as it is a 1999 car and the Bentley Turbo R ceased production in 1998, hence making it one of the last cars of this body shape in existence.



Its just say it is very well specified.



According to the person who was selling the car, it was the private commission of one of the most wealthy women in the world.



Hence the features, such as crystal vases to make the car not faster, but simply better. Better than yours.



Yes mine is the best. It has a fridge.



As well as fold down dicky seats for the kids if they come along. Or my assistant. I make her face the wrong way so I look better and more important.



It has all these buttons that do things as well. With very nice wood. I like it.



I am not sure which lady owned the car, but here it a list of Forbes wealthiest women if you want to organise a date for tonight.



It had a buy it now price of $175,000 and a new tag of over $400,000. USD.



It's a bit of a special Bentley.

Pictures (bmyii here)

UPDATE: The car is now for sale by wildejaguar on ebay.



Item number: 400010092547 and I do like a good shot of an occasional seat/dicky seat/jump seat on display.



Now back to the name of this car. The name plate says it is a Mulliner.



Service document says Bentley Silver Spur Limo.



Door sill states coachbuilt by Mulliner Park Ward.



So call it what you may, or just stick with Bentley Special. Because it is a bit special.

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Smiley Special Tourer

So what are your options when you come across a rusty Bentley?



A hell of a lot of body work patching up that standard steel.



Then finding all the bits that were meant to be on the car.



Then engine can be a challenge, but it is a must.



Not to mention the interior.



But there is another option.

Coachbuilding the exact car you want on the Bentley chassis.

Take a look at this Bentley Special.

1950 Bentley MK VI #B96HR



It is known as the Smiley Special Tourer, and you can kind of tell why.



The look of it is very cutesy, kind of like a Bentley version of Noddy's car.



It was built by Richard Straman, of Richard Straman Coachbuilders Costa Mesa, CA, USA who has been featured on Bentleyspotting before for his convertibles.



Smiley special tourer was apparently built by Richard for his father in law to use as everyday driver.

The grandchildren would definitely get excited.

Pictures courtesy (Eliot, and Daveseven)

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