Bentley B2 Convertible by Pininfarina

The Bentley B2 by Pininfarina was the first ever non public coachbuilt Bentley Special ordered by the Royal Family of Brunei.

The Bentley B2 was coachbuilt on the Continential R chassis what were made from 1994 till 1996. It is a re-bodied Bentley Azure.

The first to be commissioned was SCBZB04C5RCH52042 Bentley B2 and has registered in the United Kingdom with number plate M1 STY.

Three were made in 1994, ten is 1995 and four in 1996 bringing the total manufactured to 17 Bentley B2's.



The Bentley B2 was constructed around the same time as the Bentley B3 which was also designed by Pininfarina. Chassis numbers were often sequential of the B2 and the B3, for example CH52434, CH52435 and CH52436 where Bentley B2's, followed by CH52437, CH52438, CH52439 and CH52440 where Bentley B3, then CH52442, CH52443 and CH52444 Bentley B2.

This indicates that the Royal Family of Brunei commissioned Pininfarina to design the Bentley B2 and the Bentley B3 at the same time, where the Bentley B2 was a re-bodied Azure convertible, and the B3 was a re-bodied Continential R.

The Bentley B3 was manufactured by Coggiola S.p.A and it is unknown if the Bentley B2 was manufactured by them as well, but it is unlikely. Pininfarina are known for the construction of convertibles, and it is probable that there were made in house at Pininfarina. Coggiola S.p.A released photos of the Bentley B3 being constructed, so if they were constructing the B2 at the same time, presumably they would released photos of that car as well.

Here is the Bentley B3 by Pininfarina at Coggiola S.p.A being rebodied from a Bentley Continential R.



Read more about the Bentley B3 in a previous post here.

The design of the Bentley B2 and the Bentley B3 however are different. It is not just a matter of one a convertible and other hardtop. The grill varies between cars, as does the headlights and bumper bars.

Here is a comparison. Click image to enlarge.



Now lets compare to the Bentley Silverstone, another coachbuilt Bentley for the Royal family of Brunei. The front is of s similar design to the Bentley B2 and that of the Bentley B3. It is currently not known who designed the Bentley Silverstone. Bertone, Zagato, Pininfarina, Italdesign, Ghia, Marcello Gandini and Mulliner Park Ward are all possibilities, hopefully the car will pop up in a design portfolio somewhere!



Here is a complete list of all Bentley B2 cars that were manufactured. Only the first was registered in the UK, the rest in Brunei.

The 1994 cars
SCBZB04C5RCH52042 Bentley B2 M1 STY
SCBZB04C4RCH52131 Bentley B2 BN 9988
SCBZB04C2RCH52161 Bentley B2 BN 9955

The 1995 cars
SCBZB04CXSCH52351 Bentley B2 BN 20
SCBZB04C1SCH52383 Bentley B2 BP 1189
SCBZB04C2SCH52389 Bentley B2 BP 3000
SCBZB04C8SCH52431 Bentley B2 BP 3003
SCBZB04C3SCH52434 Bentley B2 KF 8829
SCBZB04C5SCH52435 Bentley B2
SCBZB04C7SCH52436 Bentley B2 KF 9978
SCBZB04C2SCH52442 Bentley B2 BN 222
SCBZB04C4SCH52443 Bentley B2 KF 9992
SCBZB04C6SCH52444 Bentley B2 BN 1100

The 1996 cars
SCBZB16C9TCH53169 Bentley B2 BQ 7135
SCBZB16C4TCH53175 Bentley B2 BQ 1771
SCBZB16C8TCH53180 Bentley B2 BS 9991
SCBZB16C5TCH53184 Bentley B2 BQ 7015

Now for the most clear picture currently available of the Bentley B2.



If more pictures or information about this very special car are discovered, they will be posted.

The First Rolls Royce and Bentley

Now here are some photographs you do not see every day.

The first is of W.O. Bentley driving his first ever car.

The Bentley 3 Litre prototype somewhere near the Crinklewood Works. Registration number BM 8283 (or BM 8282)



The second photograph is most likely A.E. Claremont, Henry Royce's partner in Cooke Street, Manchester driving one of three Royce 10HP cars. The other gentleman riding shotgun looks seriously bored. I think someone should offer him a cup of tea.



Royce made each part in triplicate, where registration number N 414 was actually the second car constructed after Henry Royce's first with registration number M 612.

The Royce 10HP registration M 612 was later dismantlement by Rolls Royce at the Derby factory in 1923 as it was no longer needed. Idiots.

No Royce cars survive, however one of the engines is in the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry.

More on vintage Rolls Royce and Bentleys here.

Experimental Car for sale.

Experiments tend to have a lure of excitement about them. The outcome is yet to be known. Totally futuristic, but what is the hypothesis?

Rolls Royce and Bentley also conduct experiments. They make experimental cars to conduct experiments on or even in. Experimental cars are known as they have the unique chassis markings of 'EX', as in EXperimental.

Here is the first Rolls Royce Experimental car. It is the 1919 chassis number 1EX based car based on a Silver Ghost chassis. I'm not sure if it still has test tubes in its boot.



Chassis number 10EX was used to try and break the 100mhp barrier at Brooklands to knock off the Bentley boys. They made it to 86mph before it was back for more experiments.

Below is the 1927 16EX car also based on the Silver Ghost, with either Hooper or Baker coachwork. It is a high resolution photograph out the front of Rolls Royce and Bentley. Click to enlarge.



The next is the Rolls-Royce 17EX with Jarvis coachwork called the Torpedo. It spent most of its like in India, before being discovered and restored.



More on 17EX can be read about here.

In 1958 45EX was made, then there was a break in numbering experimental cars. However experiments still went on.

Lets take a look at some more modern EX cars.

This could well have been 99EX, the experimental car based on the new Rolls Royce Phantom chassis from 2002.



The scientists are well, out conducting experiments. Seriously.



Then celebrating 100 years of Rolls Royce the numbering of experimental cars started up again with 100EX.

There could well have been 55 experimental vehicles based on the Silver Clouds, the Phantoms, the Silver Shadows, the Silver Spirits and the Silver Seraphs. They just forgot to number them.

Now the very well known 100EX.





These photographs are a bit too posed though and do not remind me much of a high school test lab.







What I like is to see the scientists out on the street conducting experiments on the experimental cars. Here are some shots of just that.



The headlights are different on this car, testing testing.



In the car biz they are known as spy shots.





Now the next experimental car, the 101EX.



The fixed head coupe version that will be on sale soon.





I am not going to comment on the fibre optics roof. No comment.



Here is one testing, it has a fake cloth roof over the hard top to disguise it.



Want to see the start of 102EX? Sure you do.

This is the test mule for the new baby Rolls Royce that could be called the Silver Shadow, and also may be known as the Next Generation Saloon.



The photos are pretty hard to come by.



They were taken this week at the BMW cold weather testing centre.



They are very much still experimenting.



Do you want one for your collection?

How about 41EX from 1955. Well buy it for £15,000.

The Real Car Co in the UK has 41EX for sale and the advertisement is here.

41EX

I quote from the ad.



"A Park Ward Touring Saloon, being one of a small number of cars used by the factory for testing purposes, and allocated a special chassis number as a result.



After about 11,000 test miles in the first 18 months of its life, the car was retained by Rolls-Royce and used for various purposes, including a period with the School of Instruction, and not disposed of until 1979.



It then went to Ian Rimmer, author of the book on the experimental cars, from whom we have acquired it, thereby making it a two-owner car!

A desirable 4.9 litre engined car, with power steering and air conditioning. Unused for 25 years and in need of restoration, but very sound, complete condition, and a very worthwhile project."



Now a snippet on the owner.

"Born in 1940, Ian Rimmer started his professional life in the aircraft industry and in 1967 took a career change & joined the Rolls-Royce Car Division. During his spare time whilst at Rolls-Royce he spent some 16 years researching the complete range of experimental cars resulting in the publication of his book in 1986. Ian remained with Rolls-Royce until his retirement in 1999 & in 2005 became Chairman of the RREC."

The car would certainly make an interesting talking point.

How cool is this! Lab book included!



An amazing piece of history to accompany the car.



Test tubes not included however.

Pictures © rightful owners.

Guess the Bentley

Lets play a game. Bentley Spotting. Well, guess the Bentley.

Here is the first picture.



Many people will find this picture familiar. Some may know the model and year. Four air vents, three on the tree column shift, centre console instruments etc.

Now the second. Sure you have seen the dash from this distance before. Not.



Now the whole of the behind. Guessed it?



It is the very rare Bentley Azur 2 Door Spyder by Jankel.



Yes the Azur, pre-empting the Bentley Azure based on the Bentley Continential R was this coachbuilt Bentley Azur based on the Bentley Turbo R. More on the Bentley Azur by Jankel here.



This 1990 Bentley Azur is currently for sale at Caesar Trading CO., LTD. 日本語 · 英語 in Tokyo and has travelled 29.980km



The advertisement for the car is here, and a translated version into English can be read here. The translation is not the best however, but readable.



The ad goes on a lot about the history of Jankel.



What is more interesting about the advertisement is that it states the dimensions of the car. The original Jankel sales brochure only stated that the car was a short wheel based car. The car according to the ad is actually 2 centimetres shorter than the standard Turbo R, at 526cm compared to the standard 528cm.



The door dimentions are also noted. The standard front doors of a Turbo R are 130cm, but on the Azur by Jankel the doors are stretched to 170cm.



It does allow enough room for your girlfriends to get into the back.



The car is immaculate, including the engine bay. Certainly very well looked after.



The lid takes 17 seconds to open electronically, and 21 second to close.



I better add it to the now 19 different Turbo R / Silver Spirit based convertibles in a mega gallery here.

Thanks AJ our regular Bentley spotter in Tokyo for the tip.

Shadow Range in High Resolution

From the Rolls Royce enthusiasts club's archives comes the Silver Shadow range.

The Rolls Royce Silver Shadow.



In high resolution of 1600 x 1000. Click on the image for full size. Great for desktop images, or poster prints.

The Rolls Royce Corniche fixed head coupe.



The Rolls Royce Corniche drop head coupe.



I have been unable of obtain a high resolution James Young two door yet, but one will hopefully surface soon.

Bentley Continential T 440 PC

Bentley Continential T 440 PC.

440 means 440 horse power.

PC stands for Personal Commission.

There is only one Bentley Continential T 440 PC in Silver Tempest.

Below are high resolution press photos from 2001 that were released by Bentley of the Bentley Continential T 440 PC in Silver Tempest.



The interior is seriously good looking. Black with machine brushed aluminium.



The car is a true two seater. The rear seats have been removed to save weight. How fantastic is the diamond stitch leather lining of the rear parcel shelf, with integrated strapping points. Definitely sporting.



If you really want this car, buy the only one!

The Bentley Continential T 440 PC in Silver Tempest is currently for sale in Germany at Sportwagen Engel. It still looks amazing.



The advertisement can be found in German here.



The interior still looks fantastic.



The rear parcel shelf has held up well. Not much use in 7 years. 19.000 km to be precise.



This is an image from the sales brochure for this particular vehicle.



And the original receipt of purchase. That is EUR 466875.12 or FF 3062500.00



The asking price is EUR 250.000 or GBP 187.500 or AUD 420.000 or USD 367.500.

Thanks Basman007 for the tip.

Chop Top Corniche

This Rolls Royce Corniche has just a slight bit of personalisation.

Hot rod style. This car was part of a gallery of hot rods here, but these photos are much better.

The Corniche has had a total roof realignment. Not drop top, but chop top.



The view below certainly highlights the roof line change. Not to mention the rear window, rear lights and rear quarter panel ending. They are now slightly finned. Very unique.



The number plate is DEANS RR. Nice one Dean. Not my cup of tea, but I appreciate the effort.

Bentley T coupe by James Young

Now this is a rare one.

In the late 1960's the RR&B dealer Jack Barclay persuaded coachbuilder James Young to make a 2 door Silver Shadow/Bentley T. He did, and a total of 50 cars were produced.

There were 35 Silver Shadow and 15 Bentley T variants.

It certainly is one collectible body type, and the rarest of the Silver Shadow Bentley T type cars that were produced in conjunction with the factory. There is a known photograph from Crewe at the time with a James Young bodied car on the production line. I may scan the image in at a later date.



So when a Bentley version comes up for sale I do like to take note. And one has.



It is Chassis CBH1377 again, that previously turned up for sale in New Orleans by Big Easy Dave no doubt. More can be read about the previous auction here.



The car is currently for sale again in New Orleans via ebay item: 160195896909.



The auction has just finished, and the car did not meet its reserve price.



The car's condition is so so, and it has not moved in more than 30 years.





There is also the presumption of the dark cloud of hurricane Katrina. The engine bay may tell a story.



It is most likely the second James Young Bentley ever produced after CBH1342.



The car is certainly worth some money, what ever condition. Simply because the front doors are a little longer and the centre pillar has moved back a bit. Just fill in the rear door gap, and you have yourself a coachbuilt wonder.



I would leave it in my garage for another 30 years. A bit of spit and polish and some new hoses and plenty of fluids and it could make it to the shops. Maybe.

Le Mans Rolls - Bentley Special

There is a joke about Vintages Bentleys where if you find a bolt that was from a pre 1931's Bentley in a barn, you can make a whole car from just that Bentley bolt and call it a Vintage Bentley.

I think someone found a Bentley bolt in a barn and made this. Petersen Engineering of Beaworthy Devon, England in fact. And they certainly did a good job of it.



There are issues that one faces after you find the bolt. Pretty much three things.

Namely the chassis, engine and body.

The body is dead easy - Le Mans style racer, just like everyone else.

Now how are you to hold a proud face driving a Le Mans style racer with a Detroit create motor? It is just not right. In a Bentley T with no knowledge of Bill Coburn of Tee One Topics is a different story however, but I digress.

What Petersen Engineering has done is quite clever. Drop in a Rolls Royce engine. That will do it. Shine it up a bit and change the name plate on the cover and voilà. Here it is.



Now to the hardest part. The chassis. You only found a Bentley bolt. It is not enough for a chassis. People will question. They can look it up!

The issue is that you can not just put two pieces of steel parallel and wield them together to make your own. If one goes down this path the car is called a replica and is worth a pittance. You need to find a manufactured chassis for a little street cred.

So what did Peteren Engineering do? Another great idea. A 1932 Rolls Royce chassis, number GAU 45. It is similar vintage, and a year after Rolls Royce bought Bentley so it is one seriously wise choice of chassis. I do not know about early Rolls Royce chassis numbers, could be Phantom II or a 20/25 or something else.



Here is the plaque explaining the car. Nice choices from only starting with a Bentley bolt.



The dash board is just as impressive.



Now what is great about this car for Bentley Spotting is this video. Very well produced for a Youtube effort. Professional in fact. Sit back and enjoy.

The car is currently for sale by Le Riche of Jersey.

In summary this car can be correctly described as a Rolls Royce with a Bentley Le Mans racer style body. It is a little more work than swapping the Rolls Royce Silver Spirit grill for a Bentley Mulsanne grill. But essentially the same.

I do like Rolls Royce to Bentley swaps.

A Bentley Final Drive

A Bentley Final Drive. The discussion is not about the differential or the drive shaft here, but a person's actual final drive. To the grave.

Yes the Bentley Hearse. There is such a thing.

This Bentley Turbo R hearse was coach built by Coway Limited, Coachbuilders of Westhoughton in Lancashire that have 40 years experience in coachbuilding.



The experience shows, as does the innate stability and rigidity of the car, as surely with a little body flex all the glass would break!

Most Coway cars tend to by Rolls Royce, but as this picture proves, not all. Funeral directors in a hurry tend not to be the standard.

There are others!

This Bentley Hearse is a four door Turbo R built by Mogi in Japan.



The different cultures and traditions show with the style were the coffin is not reviled.



If you want something more modern than a Bentley Turbo R, how about a Rolls Royce Seraph?



A slight pity that it is not a Bentley Arnage, but a little grill and wheel swap never hurt anyone. Except in you look at the VIN number.

Picture courtesy Bentley Spotting reader (Maurice)

Bentley Hooper Empress II For Sale

Now this is a very rare one.

A Bentley Hooper Empress II has come up on ebay.



Item number 170182728629 and this beauty has a Buy it Now price of $200,000.00.

This pictures seem not to be working, so there is only the above one currently.

It has travelled only 12354 miles and has never been registered in America. It seems like it spent its life so far in Japan.

It is VIN number SCBZR03D2LCX32776, the same car as a Bentley Spotting reader was offered in September $150k USD. Read about their post here.

The text of the ad is as follows:

"Extremely Rare Collectible, BENTLEY HOOPER EMPRESS

Here is an opportunity to purchase a piece of motoring history! This masterpiece is extremely rare, I believe only 6 built and only two of them are in the US! It's worth over US$ 1 million!! The coachwork was built in all alloy by Hooper in 1990. It has only gone 12354 miles! Still like new, looks and smells as fresh as the date of installment. Both the exterior and the interior show incredibly well with no scratches or dents. Everything works perfectly---drives and runs flawlessly! Don't miss this chance to own this masterpiece, it will make a great addition to your car collection!!

*this is US car but never been registered in the US. come with shipping documents and bill of sale."

More information about this very rare coach built Bentley can be found here when one was spotted in Monaco, the original advertisement from Hooper can be found here, and another one that was for sale in France can be read about here.

Happy bidding.

French Continential GT Speed Review

A nice Bentley Continential GT Speed video from the Continent. France be more precise.

There is just a bit of co-branding with Breitling as well.

Gold Jewellery not Silver

Some people do get sick of silver jewellery and want to switch to gold.

This owner certainly did.

Oh Monaco darling, Monaco.


Photo courtesy (Johann Petit, Supercar Photo Collection).

Odd Rolls Royce Design

I have been asked by a couple of people about these designs.

They apparently have a 16 cylinder engine in them.

That is pretty much all I can say, other than that they are pretty nasty.






If I had to take a punt I would say they were an American design from the 1980's that had a modern take on the 1950's Americana theme.

They look a bit General Motors style to me. I'm thinking Lincoln like Town Car like.







Send in your knowledge if you are able. You can post a comment below if you know anything about these designs.

Bentley Hooper 2 Door Turbo R in Japan

Google translate is a handy tool when sifting through classified ads for used Bentleys from around the world.

If you are on the look out for a coachbuilt car from the 1980's and 1990's it does not really work to plod on down to your local car lot.

I can just picture it. "Gday mate, I'm after a two door Bentley Turbo R, you know, the ones made by Hooper, or if you have a Jankel version I'll take it. Yeah, really I can not tell the difference anyway."

I don't think the reply would be "No worries mate, I've got a black one it's an '86 with the square engine turbo labelled bit, and also a '89 white one with newer alloys. Wait, I think my mate Jimbo down the road has a blue one he wants to get rid of." It is just not going to happen.

For previous posts about Hooper cars read here.

But there is a guy down the road that is selling a blue one if you happen to live around 平須 Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture town. This exact road in fact.



Mori Auto is currently selling this Bentley Hooper 2 Door Turbo R. I am not sure if they have salesman called Jimbo.

The thing I have to first mention is the price. It is JPY ¥2.55 million. That is about US $22,800.00 or AU$ 25,800.00 or GBP ₤11,500.00. Bloody cheap mate!



It sports a mesh grill and has travelled only 31,000 km. It has the Hooper front air damp as well with the square fog lights.



The rear privacy window is a Hooper staple and certainly looks good, as does the Hooper badge.

I would have bought it, except the steering wheel is on the wrong, I mean left, side. Bugger. I don't like that Japanese fashion.



The translation software is slightly confusing, as it says it is an '89 car, and also an '87 car. I am thinking it is an '87 car that was first registered in '89. Coachbuilding and travelling time counted.


The side profile is why you buy a Hooper 2 door, and here it is. A very nice car.


The link to the English translated ad is here. The Car Sensor link, the Japanese history checking service is here.

Mori Auto can be contacted on +81 029-243-3363 if anyone wants to buy it for me.

Prank Phone Call to Jack Barclay

Prank phone calls. Not the height of humour, but funny enough.

I like the way Bentley Sales Executive Paul Gardner turns the "my assistant called about the Phantom" into a "we have an Arnage".

So that is how they sell more Bentleys than Rolls Royce cars.

Video (Fonejacker.tv)

The Bentley Buccaneer

Bentley Spotting has featured the Bentley Buccaneer a couple of times before, and one can read about the six cars that were made for the Royal Family of Brunei here.

The link lists the VIN numbers for the cars and a little history with some ideas.



The silver car above is a well known photo that has recieved mainstream press.

The red photo was the first to reveal a better view of the front. You can really tell it was an early design version of the current Bentley Continential GT.



What has surfaced is another picture! It was taken in Gatwick when the cars were being loaded onto a plane to be taken to Brunei. There are actually two Bentley Buccaneer's in the photo. You can tell that under the sheet next to the exposed car lays another.



Read more about the Royal Family of Brunei coach built Bentleys here.

Silver Shadow Dual Cab 4x4 ute

Now here is one for the outback stockman with a Drizabone and an Akubra.

It is a 1972 Silver Shadow Dual Cab 4x4 ute based on a 1976 Dodge chassis.



The dual cab ute tray does make it more practical than the Aussie 4x4 SUV Silver Shadow posted earlier.



Not sure if it is the Dodge motor or a create motor.



The dash is Rolls Royce, and the steering wheels says Special on it. Appropriate.



It puts a different slant on the Chelsea/Toorak tractor.

Bentley Rising

This car being raised in a Bentley Special.

It is a Bentley Continental GTM Monaco sold by Amari Super Cars, and more can be read about the car here.



Other matte black Bentleys can be found here. I really think this colour will date quite fast. It is a bit up in the air.

Bentley Azure in the Snow

As it is winter in half the world, why not take the first generation Bentley Azure out in the snow?



Here are some well known press photos in high resolution, great for desktop wallpapers.

I am a big fan of the Mulliner side vents, just add some mesh to the under bumper and you are set.



If you are more into summer, how about a Bentley T on the beach?

Bentley Turbo R Subframe

Technical drawings of cars can be interesting, as you do get to see the insides of a car without it being in a crash, or on some organ donors lot.

Here is a great example. The Bentley Turbo R subframe.



So that's how it looks when you peel the skin away.



From these drawings you could work out which points to wield your new roll cage to.

Bentley Arnage Review

Here is a video review of the Bentley Arnage

Oh - and if you ever wanted to see a very dodgy man sporting a trucker cap, hooded top, scruffy beard and smoking a joint whilst driving a Bentley Arnage have a look here!

It is always intriguing the variety of Bentley drivers.

Bentley Turbo R Convertible by Hooper

The coach builders Hooper and Co. and Jankel were the most prominent players of the Bentley Turbo R era.

Both coachbuilders had a similar range of adaptations to Bentley and Rolls Royce vehicles.

Hooper is very well known for their 2 door Bentley Turbo R coupe, and Jankel did build a similar vehicle amongst others. Jankel also built a convertible version and called it the Azur. Quite forward thinking. One has been spotted in Japan here.

I do not know of any Hooper Bentley Turbo R Convertibles, except for this design sketch.



That is the Hooper badge on the rear, but it is unknown if any Hooper Bentley Turbo R Convertibles were actually manufactured.



Hopefully they were, so pictures can be added to the ever growing gallery of now 18 different Bentley Turbo R/Silver Spirit based convertibles here.

As with other designs I could not find a real picture of like here, I photoshoped an example for fun. This one screams fake.

Cornes & Co. Alloy Wheels

I have been recently asked about these alloy wheels. Take a close look.



Take note of the pattern and the style.



They are all the same. They are the same alloy wheels on all these Japanese Bentleys.



The centre caps vary slightly, but close up you can make out the "B" in the centre.



Also the front and rear width are slightly different. The rear wheel looks about an inch wider. Slightly 'deep dish' wheels, very much the fashion in Japan.



The alloys have even shown up on Max Fletcher's Bentley Azure on the Gumball run. Read more about Team666 here, and here.



Now again on this Bentley Continental below.

So what are the chances of eight different Bentleys of varying models all happening to select the same after market alloy wheels of the 1000's available? Pretty much none.

They must have come as an official option.



They are far from something Crewe would have produced and they are only found in Japan. So what is the logical conclusion?

A dealer specific official option. Not fact, just reckoning. I reckon I'm right.

Most Bentley's in Japan at this time were sold by the official importer Cornes & Co. More on the history of Cornes & Co here.

Cornes & Co. put their own nameplate on their cars sold, so why not an official Cornes & Co. alloy wheel? I think I'm on to something here.



Now some close ups.



You can see that they are 3 piece billet machined alloy wheels of 17" diameter, with a B centre cap.


If any Japanese readers could shed some more light on the matter it would be appreciated.