BENTLEY SPOTTING

It's the Rolls-Royce of Bentley websites.

Monday, August 31, 2015

Old Advertisements.

The name 'Rolls-Royce' has always been a high 'standard' set by others. 
Even in their tough late nineties' years they were still a top brand.

But for years, they advertised in magazines and newspapers, although this seemed unnecessary to me. 








Other companies loved to use their RR connection as bragging rights.



Some companies tried to compare lesser cars to Rolls-Royces.



A Rolls-Royce was a British 'American' car. 
In the U.K. no other car drove like one or even came close to their standards, but in the U.S. there was competition if you really didn't care for hand built cars, hand stitched leather and craftsmanship....




So Rolls-Royce advertised the fact that their cars are special.




Practical too.



And rightly so.








That standard was still there and Rolls-Royces were somehow used in clothing ads:



And booze....







Watches:



Even bloody caravans....



But with all that aside:



And the best car to get in trouble in.



"Sorry Ossifer...."




"VRRoom, VRRooom....."

Thanks to Rodd Sala for this eclectic collection.

(Posted by David Irvine)

Friday, August 28, 2015

Power on Ice by Bentley Motors

POWER ON ICE

FINLANDJANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2016THE ULTIMATE WINTER DRIVING EXPERIENCE
As the ice thickens on the lakes of northern Finland, a very special circuit begins to take shape. On the edge of the Arctic Circle, close to the country's border with Russia, a vast and frozen surface is turned into a driving course unlike any other.



It is the home of Bentley Power on Ice, the driving experience created especially for Bentley in this remote and beautiful part of the world, which – in the middle of winter – becomes the perfect playground for an all-wheel-drive vehicle..

There is perhaps nothing more exhilarating or rewarding than mastering car control in conditions like these. At Bentley Power on Ice you will learn the art of drifting sideways gracefully and without losing control, throwing up plumes of ice as the scenery whooshes by. There's nothing else quite like it.

With two full days of driving and tuition from a dedicated instructor, you will see that – even on sheet ice – there's plenty of speed to be found. Especially when you're in the driver's seat of a powerful Bentley fitted with studded tyres. In other words, ice driving provides the thrills of an extreme sport, from the comfort of a hand-stitched, heated leather seat.

Finland has produced some of the greatest drivers the world has seen: rally champions, F1 champions and champion ice racers. Among them is four-time WRC champion Juha Kankkunen, who personally designs the Bentley Power on Ice tracks, each of which is 'shaved' into the icy surface using specialist equipment.
At Bentley Power on Ice, guests also have the chance to experience a fast lap with Juha.

After all the driving, you can make the most of the stunning location with a range of activities. For example, there's snowmobiling, ice karting and a nighttime husky sled adventure. You could also enjoy a traditional Finnish smoke sauna, and dinner at an historic reindeer farm.

I Hate winter, but this could make it interesting....
It's what makes Power on Ice so special.
(Posted by David Irvine)

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Mistletoe and more

A few weeks back, Team Bentely Spotting posted about a 1980 Rolls-Royce Camargue being offered at the Anglia Car Auction on 22nd August:



The auction results have now been posted and it sold for GBP 32,025 inclusive of buyers premium.

This is at the low end of the GBP 32,000-36,000 guide price.

A disappointing price? At first it may seem so...

But this car also traded at an H&H auction in October 2010 when it fetched just GBP 15,400: http://www.classic-auctions.com/Auctions/01-10-2010-ThePavilionGardens-1260/1980Rolls-RoyceCamargue-32082.aspx

So this car has actually doubled in value during the past five years.

Perhaps proof that the Camargue is now a bonafide classic...

Other interesting cars offered at the auction include a 1970 Mulliner Park Ward Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow 2-door:


Offered in "barn find" condition for restoration it failed to find a buyer at the GBP 10-12,000 guide price.

And this 1986 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit with MOT until Jan 2016 sold for just GBP 2,205 after being offered wih no reserve:


It must be worth at least the same as parts.




Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Wood, wood and more wood...

Team Bentley Spotting has posted about the Hooper Bentley Empress II several times in the past.

We're a fan of this very rare and luxurious but also slightly eccentric car. 

Here is a post featuring three Hooper Empress II in the Hooper & Co courtyard: http://www.bentleyspotting.com/2012/04/bentley-hooper-empress-ii.html


And another post featuring the original Hooper & Co black & white press photos: http://www.bentleyspotting.com/2007/11/bentley-hooper-empress-ii-bentley-turbo.html

We have now found a colour copy of the original press photo for the interior.

Here it is...


There is the special Hooper sports steering wheel.

And wood, wood and more wood...

With deeply patterened matched veneers.

And leather, leather and more leather.

There is also a very 1980s graphics equalizer, and a very early onboard computer, fitted to a stalk emerging from the passenger side of the center console.

Rumours suggest this never worked properly. Or possibly never worked at all....

But we would put up with the 80s computer technology for the rest of a very, very impressive interior.





 





Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Road Trip

This page comes from the 4th edition, Volume 2 of The Journal, the Rolls-Royce Motors in-house magazine of the late 70s and early eighties. 

Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Scottsdale, Westlake, San Francisco...


It would make a nice road trip.

Especially if driving one of these cars.

Monday, August 24, 2015

Seems Familiar.....

Back in the early 'eighties I worked in a detailing shop at the end of Bayview Avenue in Toronto. We worked on many Rolls-Royces and Bentleys.
I took lots of photos with the old Don Valley Parkway to Eastern Avenue ramp in the background as we drove them out of the building when finished.

A Silver Cloud



Mid 'seventies two tone Silver Shadow



Early 'seventies Silver Shadow in a lovely shade of Burgundy



A Silver Shadow in Regency Bronze with a brown Everflex roof.



Well I managed to get a shot of my new Old Thing in the same spot today. 
Regency Bronze with Brown Everflex.



Ch - ch - ch - changes.... (Mr. Bowie)

(Posted by David Irvine)

Sunday, August 23, 2015

A new level of performance - Bentley Bentayga

Here is the latest Bentley Bentayga video from Bentley.



Looking forward to see these on the road. Or off the road.

Bentley Continental GT3-R - Test Drive, In-Depth Tour and Impressions

I quite like this car.



Interestingly none of the 300 cars made were sold in Australia.

I did check out the demonstrator that had come straight from Korea at Bathurst 12 hour earlier this year.


Yeah it good.

Checked out the #Bentley #Continental #GT3R It is cool. #bentleyspotting #BentleySydney #b12hr

A photo posted by @bentleyspotting on

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Spotted...and for sale

One of London's most spotted Rolls-Royce cars is coming-up for auction...

Its a 1959 Silver Cloud I Adaption Drophead by HJ Mulliner, chassis #SNH14, often found parked in one of the side streets opposite the world-famous Harrods department store.

Some of these street photos have previously been posted on Bentley Spotting: here is one of them...


And here is a link to the full post: http://www.bentleyspotting.com/2011/11/rolls-royce-silver-cloud-ii-dhc-in.html

What makes this car extra special is that for the past four decades it has been owned by Sir Ken Adam, the production designer for many of the original James Bond films, and that it has been shipped around the world for him to use whilst filming on location. 

And what makes this car extra, extra special is that it is one of just three RHD home market examples.

Here are some of the catalogue photos:










It is being offered at the RM Sothebys London auction on 7th September and is described as a very original and honest example with a wonderful patina.

The guide price seems a reasonable GBP 175-200,000 for such a fabulous car.

(Thanks to RM Sothebys for the photos)

Monday, August 17, 2015

Early Morning T

 Time for early Sunday morning T in Toronto.



The above shot's not one of ours, but these are.



We went for a quick little downtown Toronto tour very early morning in the new Old Thing.
The Bentley T.

Yorkville:



Re paving almost done....



As the sun rises.





Then off to the back door of the Ontario Legislative building 'Queen's Park'.
.





Around the corner to the University of Toronto grounds.





Lovely old buildings there.



Then down the lake at Queen's Quay.





And finally a stop to show off the downtown skyline.
The bright sun certainly changes the Old Thing's hue...





T in Toronto | by Irvine 2011

So there you are. Morning T in 'The Big T'.
Toronto.
A great city.


(Posted by David Irvine)

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