The Prime Minister Visits Bentley Motors

Here is a video of when the Prime Minister Visits Bentley Motors in Crewe.



And from another angle.



Let's see how much they change the SUV production version from the concept.

All British Car Show

Today I drove the Old Thing 800 kilometres to Essex, Ontario (round trip from Toronto).

I stopped in London, Ontario to pick up my Dad so we could attend the annual All British Car Show at the Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village.

http://www.ctmhv.com/

Peter's PIII was there. So quiet. Almost like an electric car when running.

And the museum's recently donated PIII ( I think that's what it is....) "Josephine".

Larry brought his all original 1979 Silver Wraith II (with the extra door chrome and Silver Shadow hub caps).

Then Dale and Emer's Park Ward. What a car....

We even had a covered 'Pavillion'

There were some lovely non Crewe products there too by the way.

Another great day.

(Posted by David Irvine)

Goin' out to Cali.

A good friend of mine was in California last week. 

Funny how all my friends take RR & B photos for me when they see one whilst on vacation...

So anyway, California :

'Bentleys Galore.'

The Newport Beach dealership. 

http://www.newportbeach.bentleymotors.com/

Nice selection. I'll take the red one.

But apparently, not too many Rolls-Royces about.

He did spot this 'early' Silver Wraith II in Santa Barbara (no thick chrome trim below the door windows. Therefore a '77 or '78 ?)

In case you don't know what I am talking about, here's that trim piece on an '80 Wraith II:

(Posted by David Irvine. Thanks to Tim (3500TU) for the shots)

Festival of Speed

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars took a new Wraith up the famous Goodwood Hill Climb at last weekend's Festival of Speed: it was fast, hitting 134 mph...

 

 

I also think it looks fantastic!

 

Photo by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

 

(posted by Andy)

More Than Four...

For some occasions, 4-doors just aren't enough!

 

In 1982, Rolls-Royce Motors commissioned Robert Jankel Design Ltd to design and build a Rolls-Royce Silver Spur Limousine, with the ensuing car officially offered to customers from February 1984, in either 4-door or 6-door versions:

 

 

The 6-door garnered much press attention due to its price of GBP 140,000, 21ft length (36-inch stretch) and specification including partition, colour TV and video. Between 1984-1989, Robert Jankel Design went on to make over 100 examples of the Silver Spur Limousine, but the 6-door model was found to be impractical with only a handful built.

Other coachbuilders have also created Silver Spur 6-door limousines, although none with the same factory recognition.

 

Here is one by Coleman Milne:

 

 

This example is by an unidentified coachbuilder, but it looks like it may be by Robert Jankel Limited, perhaps post factory contract: 

 

[Credit to Rolls-Royce Foundation, Klaus-Josef Rossfeldt Collection]

And this car looks like it could be by Robert Jankel Limited too:

This 6-door limousine by unknown coachbuilder was advertised for sale in Tokyo several years ago. Just look at the gold leather interior! Definitely a "bubble" car…

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this example is currently for sale in the UK:

 

 

Glenfrome Engineering is reputed to have built several cars for the Sultan of Brunei:

 

But even the Sultan would find it difficult to match AW Lymn Limousine Services who have available for hire a fleet of 12 x Silver Mist 6-door limousines by Coway Ltd:

 

 

 

And a further 3 x Bentley Birkin 6-door limousines, too:

 

 

(Posted by Andy)

 

 

Barn Finds

Everyone loves a barn find; there is something special about a car that has just been discovered after years, or even decades, hidden away out of sight.

 

Collectors will even pay a significant premium for the most original barn find examples. Just look at the price Bonham's achieved for this barn find this E-type, admittedly an early "flat floor" roadster, a few months ago: http://www.bonhams.com/press_release/13501/ - more than 3 times the pre-sale estimate!

 

Well here is a barn find W.O. Bentley 4 1/2 litre VDP Tourer. But one that was offered at Sotheby's auction at the Royal Airforce Museum, Hendon, London in December 1994...

 

Originally delivered by Jack Barclay to Mr David A Gale of Pegglesworth (near Cheltenham) in 1928, subsequently owners were resident in Sussex, Stoke-on-Trent and Perth. In 1965 it was acquired by Mr Samuel Alexander of Glasgow and in 1966 he put the car in storage ahead of planned restoration works.

 

Almost 30 years later it was removed from storage to be offered at the Sotheby's auction with guide of GBP60-80,000, the catalogue describing it as in remarkably original condition but ripe for restoration.

 

 

Here's some more background on the car from the excellent "Vintage Bentleys" website: http://www.vintagebentleys.org/carpages/yw5883.php

 

And some later photos of the car, including in competition at the 2006 Mille Miglia: http://barchetta.mediacenter.studioline.net/Automobiles/-/Automobiles-A-Z/Bentley/4.5-Litre-667-build/TX3238-4.5-Litre-VdP-4-seater/?Dir=1973099&UseNewest=0,0&Bk=393A3b,393A3b&txt=F0F0F0,F0F0F0&top=F0F0F0,F0F0F0&sldtxt=ffffff,ffffff&hdrcol=424242,424242&SLSBackgrnd=0x131313&embed=compact&style=Dark&rd=1964537

 

For those of you interested, the hammer price in December 1994 was GBP 75,000...not far off top of guide.

 

(Posted by Andy)

 

 

    

Cartier Style et Luxe paddock at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed

Here is the Cartier Style et Luxe paddock at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Notice the car at 2:07 in the background? Take a look.



Yep, it's the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost AX201.



I think!

I'm sure more pictures will surface of it.

Ipad Dash in the Bentley

Say for example you are rocking the iPad mini in the dask of your Bentley Turbo R.



But you know you can nerd it up more.

More wood please.



You know I did. it does look cool.



Yes, I know. I will have to get the correct wood, and bookmatch it down the centre line of the iPad.

I'll get to it later.

And for when the screen is active.



Yeah it's nerdy.

Continental GT3 unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

I'm such a fan that Bentley is now back in motor sport.

Pretty much because now I can make my Bentley Turbo R more into a race car.

Here is Bentley's teaser video of the release of the production Bentley Continental GT3.



And here it is.



I think it look so cool. Just look at the swoop of the roll cage.



As expected, it is different to the prototype, the most dramatic the re-designed wing. It's not as good looking as the prototype wing.

But the rear under carriage diffuser is massive. I can picture that on my Turbo R.



That's a 600 bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, with lots of carbon fibre. You know I've looked up carbon composite making shops.



I absolutely love the interior.

Bentley is so taking the piss by retaining the traditional, polished stainless steel bullseye air vents & organ stop controls.



Of course you need those in your 1300 kg race car.

It's just so Bentley.



Here is the stock footage in action.



I so want one.

Well I want a go in one at least!

Come on Aussies - someone buy one. I will turn up to any race track with my Team Bentley flag from 2003 Le Mans win.

PS. I now know what tyres I'm buying. More to come.